My new 150-year-old guitar

[Rob MacKillop]

A guy literally knocked on the door, wondering if I would be interested in his grandmother's guitar. I played it - fell in love - and am now recording an album with it. All this in two weeks.

First, four SDQuattro/macro shots.




Next three are quick phone shots.




First video, soon after I got it:

New video, promoting the album I'm in the process of putting together of the type of music that would have been played on it - contains a few excerpts from what I've done already:

 

[Rense Haveman]

Ow, wow! That is a beauty! The shape of the body, not modern at all... And the inlay-work (is that a word?) is amazing..... Wonderful Rob! Tonight I will listen to the videos....

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Rense. Yes, inlay. It's a bit crazy, but I love playing it.

 

[Rense Haveman]

What's crazy? The instrument? How to play it? How you react to it?

 

[Karishma Boghawala]

A guy literally knocked on the door, wondering if I would be interested in his grandmother's guitar. I played it - fell in love - and am now recording an album with it. All this in two weeks.

First, four SDQuattro/macro shots.

View attachment 14604 View attachment 14605 View attachment 14606 View attachment 14607


Next three are quick phone shots.

View attachment 14608 View attachment 14609 View attachment 14610


First video, soon after I got it:

New video, promoting the album I'm in the process of putting together of the type of music that would have been played on it - contains a few excerpts from what I've done already:

WoW! You had such a beautiful guitar. I m just mesmerizied by seeing your 150 year old Guitar!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Karishma.

Rense, I meant crazy in that I still can't believe a guy just knocked on my door with it. He was over 70 years old, and was so happy to find someone who knew how to play it appropriately.

 

[Beth Carter]

this a a truly beautiful instrument.

 

[Dave Farnes]

What a beautiful guitar, your playing of it sounds beautiful too. It sounds just like it looks as if it ought to sound - if that makes any sense!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks. Well, I've finished recording an album. It will be available in two or three weeks' time from iTunes, Amazon, and literally a handed other places. Meanwhile, you can hear snippets and purchase it for download from here:

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/robmackillop4?SourceCode=HEARNOW

If you do, I get 91% of what you pay. But here's the reality: one of my albums has had over 6,000 plays on Spotify, for which I was paid one single euro...

 

[Pete Askew]

What a great story and a nice continuation of the instrument's history. Love the recordings to date and I'm looking forward to that download. FLAC I hope!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Don't give me flack, Pete! I'm doing my best

 

[Rhonda Smith]

Great looking guitar, Will play the you tube later. My sister has my Grandmothers 150 yr old Banjo and she plays it well. I will have to see if she can send me over a photo of it.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Rhonda, it would be interesting to find out what the banjo is, as I have done research into early banjos, and have recorded some.

 

[Rhonda Smith]

I will text her tonight. Might have an answer by tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Rhonda Smith]

My sister handed it down to her son. She is trying to reach him to see if he still has it and if he can forward some photos of it along with the label. She was able to tell me it was all mother of pearl , is about 150 yrs old and the name was Bijou.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

All mother of pearl? Must have been a fancy one!

 

[Rhonda Smith]

It was gorgeous. Update her son gave it to his son and he just moved so everything is packed away. He is not sure if he even has it anymore If and when he comes up with it. I will update here.

 

[Rhonda Smith]

Oh Rob! Listened to your music. It was so beautiful. The sound was amazing. Doesn't hurt having someone who can caress those strings. It takes love of the art of music to play that well. Kudos on a well thought out intro as well.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, RJ, it keeps me off the streets.

 

[Pete Askew]

I think we have documentary evidence to prove otherwise, Rob!