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Miscellaneous Guitars Glen Has Played
60's Fender Precision Bass
The first Precision Bass was produced in October 1951. Leo Fender borrowed a lot of characteristics from the Telecaster at the time, including the headstock, neck plate, truss rod nut, and control knobs. The 1957 headstock was made in the image of the first 1955 Stratocaster and remains today. The Beach Boys Brian Wilson received his first Precision Bass as a gift from his father in December 1961. It is unknown if Brians first P bass was the one used on tour in the 60's or another one. It is unknown where any of Brians white P basses are, that were used in the 60s.
Glen toured with the Beach Boys from December of 1964 until March of 1965. It appears that during that time he used Brians's white Fender Precision bass. Brian had replaced the original pickguard with a white one (I am assuming to match the pants)
It also appears that when Bruce Johnston took over for Glen, he used the same bass.
Glen toured with the Beach Boys from December of 1964 until March of 1965. It appears that during that time he used Brians's white Fender Precision bass. Brian had replaced the original pickguard with a white one (I am assuming to match the pants)
It also appears that when Bruce Johnston took over for Glen, he used the same bass.
Fender Japan TLCC-150 Telecoustic CLB
Glen is seen in this picture with an original Fender Teleacoustic made in Japan. They typically had an African mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fretboard (648mm scale length) and a Fender USA piezo pickup w/ an active preamp.
Here is a stock picture. These guitars were a poor substitute for using an Ovation EA-68 VIper, like Glen typically was seen with.
Glen Campbell with an Ovation Adamas 2080
Kim went through a period of several photo sessions with Glen and guitars. This appears to be one of the outtake photos.
The Ovation Adamas 2080 was built in the USA Ovation Custom Shop, it was designed with the best elements of the early Adamas guitars and the best and latest technology used on the newer Adamas guitars. A key aspect setting this Adamas 2080 apart from any other 2080 (besides the amazing sound) is the hand-laid fiberglass contoured bowl. The top was also special. Ovation made the soundboard from a 2x2 twill carbon fiber prepreg supplied by Gurit (USA) Inc. (Bristol, R.I.). This soundboard had a birch core with grain-oriented along the 0° axis (in the direction of the neck).
Glen Campbell with a 30's Carl Fischer Imperial "Style B" Archtop Guitar by Regal
The Chicago based Regal Musical Instrument Company was one of America's largest guitar manufacturers for most of the first half of the 20th century. Founded in 1908, Regal introduced its first hand carved archtops in 1932. Though best known for producing Dobro and other house-brand instruments, Regal maintained a Custom Shop to produce hand-carved archtops of professional quality for brands such as Bacon and Day, Recording King, Fischer, and others.
Carl Fischer Music was established in 1872, when Carl Fischer opened a musical instrument repair shop in the East Village neighborhood of New York. He also sold music and imported musical instruments from Europe. Over the following years the business expanded, eventually moving into a new headquarters in Cooper Square, Manhattan in 1926. From the 1920s to 1950s Carl Fischer sold guitars, most likely made by the big Chicago manufacturers like Harmony amd Regal.
When the first "A Better Place" video was filmed, we see Glen, in what appears to be a (his?) residence sitting by the windows playing a Fischer "B" Imperial that appears to be in mint condition.
Here is a Fischer Imperial "Style B" Archtop that recently was offered for sale.
Carl Fischer Music was established in 1872, when Carl Fischer opened a musical instrument repair shop in the East Village neighborhood of New York. He also sold music and imported musical instruments from Europe. Over the following years the business expanded, eventually moving into a new headquarters in Cooper Square, Manhattan in 1926. From the 1920s to 1950s Carl Fischer sold guitars, most likely made by the big Chicago manufacturers like Harmony amd Regal.
When the first "A Better Place" video was filmed, we see Glen, in what appears to be a (his?) residence sitting by the windows playing a Fischer "B" Imperial that appears to be in mint condition.
Here is a Fischer Imperial "Style B" Archtop that recently was offered for sale.
Glen Campbell Using Waterstone Guitars
Waterstone was based in Nashville, Tennessee USA. They specialized "in guitars and basses with unique designs and a dedication to quality." It appears that Waterstone guitars can still be purchased through REVERB and are produced in East Hampton, NY through "Mod Guitars".
Glen used a couple of Waterstones guitars for his "Ghost on a Canvas" video. The president of Waterstone released this statement:
Here is the only picture of a "Splash Blue Cumulus" I could find...although the one Glen used had a "Waterstone" headstock.
The "Splash Carnaby" Waterstone, will look more familiar, and it was seen several times in the video. As the finish was designed by Kii Arens (who produced Ghost on a Canvas), it is the only one created with that design.
Robert J. Singer, President of Waterstone Musical Instruments, LLC, emailed with clarifications:
You can see how the design on the "La La Carnaby" model is in line with artwork done by Kii Arens
Glen used a couple of Waterstones guitars for his "Ghost on a Canvas" video. The president of Waterstone released this statement:
This is the only picture of the "Splash Blue Cumulus" I could find Glen playing in the video...Recently Glen Campbell released “Ghost on the Canvas”, his farewell tour album. We were honored to have him playing not one, but two of our Waterstone instruments. In the video “Ghost on the Canvas”, you’ll see a Splash Carnaby and a Powder Blue Cumulus. We are planning on reissuing the Cumulus model to our current line. Thanks to all who worked on the video and a special thanks to Kii Arens.
Here is the only picture of a "Splash Blue Cumulus" I could find...although the one Glen used had a "Waterstone" headstock.
The "Splash Carnaby" Waterstone, will look more familiar, and it was seen several times in the video. As the finish was designed by Kii Arens (who produced Ghost on a Canvas), it is the only one created with that design.
Robert J. Singer, President of Waterstone Musical Instruments, LLC, emailed with clarifications:
Glen played a Powder Bleu Cumulus model (2003)
He also played a Kii Arens”La La”Carnaby model that is iconic...
You can see how the design on the "La La Carnaby" model is in line with artwork done by Kii Arens
Did Glen Use This Vintage Gibson J-200 in 2009 Video?
In this 1966 picture, we see Glen with a sunburst '56 Gibson J-200. Glen would later be seen with a vintage 50's J-200 in his "A Better Place" video. Was it the same guitar?
Read about the inlay on this guitar HERE
Re: Miscellaneous Guitars Glen Has Played
I am a big fan of Glen and I also noticed that he used different types of guitars. I think he owned most of those guitars as I read in some magazine. He delivers great melody every time.
Glen Campbell with a Gibson ES-175 with Dusty Carroll and Ronnie McKinney in 1954
The ES-175 debuted in 1949, as Gibson's mid-level laminate top alternative to the L-5 and as an electric version of the L-4. It was also the first Gibson electric to feature a stylish F hole. The ES-175 was designed to be a cheaper alternative to Gibson's high-end archtop models.
Glen left Lindrith NM somewhere near the end of 1952 and headed for Houston, Texas. At some point he met Dusty and Ronnie and joined their band. Dusty Carroll was nice enough to share the following information with me.
"Glen was just 15 I think when he came to Houston. His Brothers lived here so he lived with them. From the time I knew him, Glen was a master on the guitar like his Uncle Boo, who supposedly taught Glen. Glen came to Pasadena I believe in '52 0r '53. Ronnie and I had a Saturday morning radio show in Baytown and Glen was not a part of that. I think Ronnie hired him when he was introduced by another friend-musician, Wesley Ford. Ronnie was fascinated by Glens talent. We worked together for quite a while. Then Glen went to Albuquerque. Glen asked me to go with him to Albuquerque but I was married at the time and could not leave that responsibility."
Dusty added:
Concerning the above picture, Dusty shared..."We played in several clubs, Some I don't remember the name. We played the Sylvan club in LaPorte, Dancetown in Jacinto City, and yes we Played several outdoor joints on the beach in Galveston. Ronnie's first band name was Pasadena Playboys and it changed to Westernaires. Glen and I played a few jobs with The Hillbilly G I's."
Dusty wrote the following lyrics about their time with Glen:"The year was 1954. My first son was born that year. It was after Glen went to Albuquerque. He just came back for a visit. We played in my parents living room."
RONNIE, GLEN AND ME
© 1993 DUSTY CARROLL
THREE STOOGES SOMETIMES, BLIND MICE TOO
BUT ALWAYS WE WERE THREE
WE LAUGHED OUR WAY THROUGH TEENAGE YEARS
OLD RONNIE, GLEN AND ME
WE CALLED OURSELVES THE MUSKETEERS
WHEN TIME AND YOUTH WERE FREE
WHAT CARES WE HAD, WE SHARED TOGETHER
RONNIE, GLEN AND ME
THROUGH OLD USED CARS AND CHEAP GUITARS
WE DREAMED WE’D SOMEDAY BE
AMOUNG THE GRAND OLD OPRY STARS
FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE
BUT FORTUNE CALLED AND FATE DECREED
THAT ONLY GLEN WOULD BE
THE ONE TO FULFILL ALL THE PLANS
HE MADE WITH RON AND ME
WE WATCHED HIS CLIMB TO STARDOM’S FAME
AND HOPED THAT THERE MIGHT BE
A CHANCE TO MAKE THE BIGTIME TOO
FOR RONNIE AND FOR ME
BUT THAT WOULD NEVER COME TO PASS
JUST WASN’T MEANT TO BE
NO STARDUST PATH, NO OPRY STAGE
NO FAME WE’D EVER SEE
NOW MEM’RIES SOMETIME TAKE ME BACK
TO TIMES THAT USED TO BE
WHEN PLANS WERE ALWAYS POSSIBLE
AND DREAMS WERE ALWAYS FREE
AND ALTHOUGH FORTUNE PASSED ME BY
I KNOW THERE’LL ALWAYS BE
THOSE HAPPY TIMES AND MEMORIES
OF RONNIE, GLEN AND ME
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- Ronnie McKinney (l) Glen Campbell (c) Dusty Carroll(r)
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Re: MIscellaneous Guitars Glen Has Played
Huge fan of Glen Campbell. He played lot of great tunes. Amazing thread
Glen Campbell with a 1930/40 Dobro Mandolin
The Dobro company was formed when the Dopyera brothers pulled out of the National Guitar Co. This was in the early 1930's. A few years later National folded, or rather was acquired by Dobro, forming the National Dobro Co. which produced instruments of both designs. The basic resonator design of Dobro instruments (the "spider bridge") differs significantly from the resonator design of Nationals (the "biscuit bridge"). Dobro made mandolins almost from its inception.
Glen is seen here (in this 40's photo) holding this early Dobro Mandolin and the boy on the right side of the picture is holding Glen's Montgomery Ward Plainsman
Glen is seen here (in this 40's photo) holding this early Dobro Mandolin and the boy on the right side of the picture is holding Glen's Montgomery Ward Plainsman