|
I'm always trying to get my guitars into the hands of accomplished players for technical, tonal and playability feedback. Over the years, I have placed great importance on their preferences, opinions and suggestions. The state of the art of my guitars is in large part a result of listening to players' wants and needs. Seeking such feedback continues by having several guitars live with discriminating players for a week or more at a time. Occasionally, a player or customer will be kind enough to write an opinion or testimonial expressing their experience in playing a Donohue guitar. I thank them for their loyalty and continued support. I have included some of their comments in this section for review by those who may be interested in considering a custom-built guitar...JJ
From Patrick Woods 12-28-09:
My name is Patrick Woods, a profesional musician and fingerstyle guitarist. A few weeks ago, I was checking my email as usual, when I saw someone contacted me, through my website named JJ Donohue. He basically told me that he was a luthier that lived right in my town - and would like for me to come over to try out some of his guitars. While I thought it was cool that a guitar builder lived right in my hometown, I had never heard of the guy, and therefore did not know what to expect. But I thought, what the heck - there's a first time for everything, so I might as well go on over and try one out.
I'm certainly glad I did. When I sat down in JJ's living room for the first time, he handed me one of his guitars, and I could immediately tell that the guy has an ear for a good tone, and that he was not just some luthier wannabe. I probably tried out four or five different ones, and of course I have the ones I like better than others, but even so, I could tell that he was a serious craftsman in every aspect. The thing that impressed me the most about his guitars was not just the fact that they sounded good, but that he really was getting creative with his use of fine woods. I have to admit that I'm a rosewood guy, and that every acoustic player adores the rosewood sound, but he was using other materials for the back-and-sides that I had never heard of, or that at least were very unique such as Waterfall Bubinga, and Acacia koa. He also used a French polish, which made the top have more of a rustic look to it. And surprisingly, his guitars had a nice fat and warm sound, and good intonation as well. I would have to say that overall I was very impressed, and was excited to know that such an enthusiest and a serious builder lived in my own backyard. Needless to say, we really hit it off,and after I walked back out to my car, I felt like I had known him for twenty years. You don't meet people like that every day, so it was a great treat and a suprise. I would highly recomend Donohue guitars to any serious player.
Patrick Woods
Patrick Woods is a professional fingerstyle guitar player who has written original music for the guitar. He continues to tour and record his music and has turned heads among his fans as well as his peers. Check out one of his video performances at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1VCg-cjCLg&feature=related. To find out more about Patrick and to purchase his CDs, check out his website at www.pwguitar.com
From Sam Price regarding her SJ Built by JJ Donohue and delivered in January, 2009:
Small Jumbo acoustic guitar built by JJ Donohue
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back and sides: Ribbon Sapele
Fingerboard & Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood
My first impressions upon opening the package and pulling out the guitar was how light it was compared to other guitars. It is incredibly light, and indicates an experienced luthier who is willing to work within fine tolerances between optimum tone and structural integrity. As it is, the neck is reinforced with carbon fibre rods and a two way truss rod, but it even baffles me as to how light the neck is.
Cosmetically the guitar is fabulous. Joe White did the finish, and it really enhances the grain – the spruce's silking is evident to a great depth, and there is chatoyance in the ribbon Sapele – JJ has obviously endeavoured to finish the guitar to a high cosmetic standard, without resorting to more obvious materials such as MOP or abalone to give the guitar a little glamour. With this particular guitar, the woods speak for themselves.
The neck was made to my specifications – a slim, thin neck – and this was made only from discussions across the web. JJ instinctively made the neck profile absolutely perfect and it has resulted in a guitar neck that is easy to play. Tonally, this guitar sounds very much in the Lowden/McIlroy tonal spectrum, soulful and bright, with crystal clear basses. Volume and projection are present, the sound doesn't get drowned out at jam sessions.
I believe JJ's guitars offer something unique in the growing custom guitar market. His work strikes the perfect balance between aesthetic and tone; the guitars look great and sound great!
Sam Price is a singer, songwriter, guitarist who lives near the Welsh border in England. She has recorded her original music and performs at local venues and festivals. Oh, and BTW...Sam's guitar is left-handed.
From Kevin Sowers regarding his evaluation of a 12-fret Slope-Shouldered Dred known as "Aurelia"
Lutz Spruce top over Cocobolo back & sides. See the following video for a short clip of Kevin playing this guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/donohueguitars#p/a/u/1/5f4Y2Q1hgM4
I had Aurelia with me for only a week but she quickly became a close friend. She is a 12 fret acoustic guitar from the shop and wonderfully creative mind of JJ Donohue.
12 frets is a couple shy of the normal 14 that I like and the look overall is that of beautiful classical guitar. Don't be fooled by this seemingly tame little number though. There is definitely some fire under the hood here.
The tone is warm like a hot bath that makes you feel good when you get into it. JJ has done a fabulous job at pulling out a deep rich sound that you won't find on a lot of even much larger guitars.
I have been an electric guitarist for many years and do a lot of lead work. Even with medium strings the playability was nearly effortless. I missed the cut away and the extra frets of my other guitars but with the smoothness of the tone and the ease of how it played my fingers found plenty of fretboard real estate to amuse themselves on the 12 frets that were there.
The most interesting feature about Aurelia is the sound port on the upper bout's bass side of the guitar. This allows for the sound to punch thru even more like multiple holes in a watering can. An ingenious idea that allows the player to hear more of what's coming out the front.
All in all a gorgeous instrument that gets a big two thumbs up from me. I would highly recommend JJ's work to anyone who wants a very high quality instrument that sounds as beautiful as it looks.
Kevin Sowers...Warsaw, IN
Kevin Sowers is a very gifted local player who began his career in music as an electric lead guitarist. His lead runs remain legendary among those who appreciate serious guitar chops. Over the years he has evolved his style and interest toward various musical genres. Currently, he has developed an impressive acoustic fingerstyle approach that reminds me of a fusion of classical and jazz styles. Most recently, he had the opportunity to back up Phil Keaggy at a local performance and can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJyya_Hdea0&feature=related
From Abraham Hepler on his custom-made 14-Fret Dreadnought
... "From the details of the build to the sound, performance and playability - this is what I had hoped for and believed you could do when we set out on this journey almost a year ago."
..."Unreal - I have loved every minute with it so far, and it's just the beginning."
..."This is an incredible instrument, and every inch of it is worthy of being called "custom" and "hand-crafted"
..."This [guitar] exceeds my expectations, and I cannot thank you enough"
Abraham Hepler is the Director of Worship and Programming at the Warsaw Community Church in Warsaw, IN. He is an accomplished musician who has recorded his own music and toured nationally.
|
