May 09, 2006 -
Just a brief note for the moment. I delayed writing to you for two reasons. Firstly, I was a bit overwhelmed by the guitar and I had to keep putting it down and going back to it to make sure that it really was making such a great sound (this is still happening). Secondly, I wanted to make sure that what I wrote was well thought out and reflected my respect for the instrument. I am still struggling because the sound is so beautiful. I play fairly simple guitar, I enjoy a rhythmic sound with a rich bass and depth to the tone. That is why I was attracted to the SLAB. I reckoned it would allow me to work at times on lower register tunes and with a suitable capo would let me work in middle and higher registers. Well that certainly is the case. I have gone back to some of the simplest tunes that I first learned many years ago. I have chosen these because with their simplicity you can really hear the wonderful tone of the guitar. I find myself not even playing tunes, just playing chimed combinations of strings, listening to the harmonics, playing single strings. Without sounding too silly I have slowed down some of my compositions just to give me the time and the space to enjoy the guitar's sustain. You can play this guitar very slowly as it has such a strong atmosphere to it. The guitar has made me think very carefully about some of the work I had already prepared for it. I have realized as well that I need to work on better technique to get everything from the guitar. You said that stringed up it sounded like an organ. I know what you mean but I think more that the sound has a cathedral quality and that I hear different instruments and voices playing together. I experimented with an open tuning tonight and it got even better. Rich resonance and depth of tone. I was sure that I could hear someone else playing along with me such was the effect of the different tones working together. Jumping to a harmonic is a delight. You can tell I am really happy and you know that the workmanship is superb. If I manage to record something that I feel catches a good picture of the guitar's sound I shall send it to you. In the meantime, thank you very much.
Best regards,
Mark