The Chetboard

I like this clip of Tommy Jones playing Black Mt Rag/Orange Blossom Special. Really displays his astonishing technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJohIxT7bAg&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Does anyone know what ever happened to this Hascal Haile flamenco? It was Tommy's favorite, I played it at one of the early 90's conventions and man, it was a monster instrument. It broke more than once, though, and Tommy would glue it back together, but it had an incredible tone.

I think Tommy was alot like Lenny Breau. Both of them were obsessed with the guitar and both set out to master the instrument. Many people don't realize that. They just assume that they were great guitar players. I met a guy at CAAS who use to be Lenny's neighbor. He told me that Lenny ate, breathed, slept "guitar" 24-7.

Personally, I wish I had more time to master the instrument from stem to stern. Tommy and Lenny did just that. I met Tommy a bunch of times at CAAS and he was such a nice down to earth guy. I really wished I could have met Lenny.

I do remember one year at CAAS that Jerry with La Mancha guitars had one of Tommy's classicals for sale. It was beat all to hell and scratched up. It might have been the Hascal guitar.

PhilHunt wrote:I think Tommy was alot like Lenny Breau. Both of them were obsessed with the guitar and both set out to master the instrument. Many people don't realize that. They just assume that they were great guitar players. I met a guy at CAAS who use to be Lenny's neighbor. He told me that Lenny ate, breathed, slept "guitar" 24-7.

Personally, I wish I had more time to master the instrument from stem to stern. Tommy and Lenny did just that. I met Tommy a bunch of times at CAAS and he was such a nice down to earth guy. I really wished I could have met Lenny.

Both Lenny and Tommy were complete guitar players and extremly gifted. They had the talent that most players could only dream of! It seems they didn't have any limit in playing tunes of any genre (especially Lenny's flamenco-playing is amazing, though not as perfect as Paco's). Recently I got some records of Tommy from a nice fellow in this forum and I'm amazed by his playing.
Why didn't Chet give the C.G.P. award to Tommy Jones? He even gave it to Steve Wariner who, don't get me wrong, is a fantastic player, but IMO far away from Tommy's ability.

The late Art Borgenson had a honey of a Hascal Haile guitar. It had a nice wide neck with a low profile, thin and had a nice low straight action. It played like butter. I wonder what ever became of that guitar.
I played Tommy's classical at CAAS and it played like butter also. I like a classical that has a nice wide neck, thin profile and low action. Roger Stuckless makes some great guitars. If anyone gets a chance....PLAY HIS GUITARS! And check out his website.

http://www.stucklessguitars.com/

PhilHunt wrote:The late Art Borgenson had a honey of a Hascal Haile guitar.

There's a few "Hascal honeys" out there. But there are some dogs, too. He was always experimenting with different woods, bracings, building techniques, etc, so each one came out a bit different. The one at the Smithsonian (and on the cover of "Atkins-Travis Traveling Show" and John McClellan's "In Three Dimensions Volume 2") is considered by many to be just about the best sounding one - unfortunately it will never be played again...

Hi Bill. I bought that guitar directly from Tommy at one of the CAAS Conventions. It still sounds great but I can't do it justice. I don't know if anyone can after Tommy. One of the most beautiful things I ever heard was Tommy playing Shenandoah on that guitar.That guitar originally belonged to Chet and Tommy asked Hascail to make him one just like it. Hascail made it and wrote on the inside label "Hand crafted and made expressly for my good friend Tommy Jones". However when Tommy got the guitar he still liked Chet's better so Chet agreed to switch guitars. Chet is playing Tommy's guitar on page 151 of John McCllan's book "Chet Atkins In Three Dimension" Volume 1.The only Haile that I think sounds better than Tommy's is the Grammy Award winning Haile that Chet used "Chet Atkins goes to the movies".Yes I own three of these guitars and they are all for SALE. I will consider all serious offers for this great part of Chet history. Please don't ask if I will sell one for $500.00 and please no negative remarks. Forgive my one finger typing. Stan.

Hello Stan - I thought you might have that one too (in addition to the "Movies" Haile I knew you had), but I didn't want to say anything online until you did. Thanks for clearing up the mystery! And I hope you DON'T sell them...if I ever get back to your area, I'd like to play them again.
Merry Christmas to you and Pattie,
Bill

Re: Chet giving (or not giving) the CGP

I think it wasn't awarded on ability per se. Steve, Jerry and Tommy E. had done extensive recordings with Chet. John, of course, spend hours with Chet transcribing and working things out on paper for him.

Tommy Jones may have been a fine player but those other guys had years of association with Chet.

The CGP was a fun kind of award, started as a whim, for Chet to give, not a Foundation For Promotion of Guitar Excellece.

I think, if Chet had had longer health he woud have given out more but I also think he would think were were kinda silly ascribing that much importance to the CGP award