My Closet Find (thread is finally ready to read)

[epaul]

I don't remember the year, it was sometime after the Great AG Exodus. But, I remember the how and why part. Someone, maybe John, maybe Doc LJ, maybe Tamarack, someone or someones raved on the forum about this guitar that was at Elderly. It was made by a builder named Michael Terris. Cedar top, Brazilian back and sides, French polish finish, hide glue, the works. "Somebody move on it. It is a Gem!"

Well, it didn't take much for me in those days. Cedar/Braz sounded like a pretty good deal to me. So, I jumped on it. And then put it in the closet.

But, it's out now.

[millring]

Wow. Would I like to play THAT. It reminds me of a guitar that Dan DeVries (taught at Front Porch Music 25 years ago) had made by a builder whose name I can't recall (I barely remembered Dan's name). Last name started with a "B". I think. Was well regarded back then. The loudest small guitar I ever played.

[millring]

Probably this guy. www.borgesguitars.com/model_000-12.html

[drlj]

DeVries did own a Borges, as I recall. It was one of the first handmade to order guitars I had ever seen. As I recall, it was quite a looker.
DeVries was also quite a picker.

Epaul, I don’t remember that guitar so I don’t think I clued you into it, but I don’t remember breakfast yesterday so who knows? I am quite happy it is no longer in your closet, though.
I searched for the builder and it seems he is/was a Bluegrasser from NJ who also made banjos and resonator guitars. No idea if he is still building.

[Marshall]

Nice strap.

[howard lee]

Aug 15, 2024 4:35:57 GMT -5 millring said:

Probably this guy. www.borgesguitars.com/model_000-12.html

Julius Borges retired some years ago. His guitars don't come up for resale too often, but when they do, expect to pay a healthy four-figure sum, into the five figures.

themusicemporium.com/products/borges-om-18-golden-grain-used-2006

www.guitargal.com/collections/borges-guitars-at-guitar-gallery/products/borges-l-00-guitar-2003

[TKennedy]

That was guitar #124 in 2005. Quite an accomplishment to get over 100. Looks like a great instrument.

There are so many outstanding small shop craftsmen not only in lutherie but other areas. As I drive through a residential neighborhood I often wonder what cool stuff is going down in those garages and basements.

[John B]

Aug 15, 2024 8:41:24 GMT -5 TKennedy said:

As I drive through a residential neighborhood I often wonder what cool stuff is going down in those garages and basements.

And the words/lyrics:

What's he building in there?
What the hell is he building in there?
He has subscriptions to those magazines
He never waves when he goes by
He's hiding something from the rest of us
He's all to himself, I think I know why
He took down the tire swing from the pepper tree
He has no children of his own, you see
He has no dog, he has no friends and his lawn is dying
And what about all those packages he sends?
What's he building in there?
With that hook light on the stairs
What's he building in there?
I'll tell you one thing, he's not building a playhouse for the children
What's he building in there?

Now, what's that sound from underneath the door?
He's pounding nails into a hardwood floor
And I swear to God, I heard someone moaning low
And I keep seeing the blue light of a TV show
He has a router and a table saw
And you won't believe what Mr. Sticha saw
There's poison underneath the sink, of course
But there's also enough formaldehyde to choke a horse
What's he building in there?
What the hell is he building in there?

I heard he has an ex-wife
In some place called Mayor's Income, Tennessee
And he used to have a consulting business in Indonesia
But what's he building in there?
He has no friends, but he gets a lot of mail
I'll bet he spent a little time in jail
I heard he was up on the roof last night, signaling with a flashlight
And what's that tune he's always whistling?
What's he building in there?
What's he building in there?
We have a right to know

[howard lee]

Michael Terris is now 79 years old and, according to Spokeo, still lives in Glen Gardner, NJ. One would assume he has been retired for a while. I found some very positive reviews of his instruments online, as well as some pre-owned ones that sold on Reverb in the last few years.

Carry on.

[TKennedy]

Damn that’s good songwriting,

Michael Terris is the same age as Russ and I. To folks like Dub though he’s just a kid.

[Shannon]

That is a great-looking guitar!

[Tamarack]

Very impressive closet find! Seems like the cedar/Brazilian combination would produce a very strong and warm sound. I had heretofore never heard of Michael Terris.

(You oughta bring it to IdiotJam so we can get our grubby mitts on it and blather on about our opinions of it)

[RickW]

Just need to fill in the slots and install proper tuners. 😉 (Unless, of course, you like punctured finger tips.)