Planning a 'Southern Journey'

[mike-p]

Hi Guys,

so from roughly 14th Feb in New Orleans to 25th of March flight back from New York I'll be travelling the South East. Mostly inspired by hearing the Lomax Southern Journey recordings I want to hear some music and see some places. Any hints/ tips offers of help/ accomodation appreciated. I'll probably hire a car for odd weeks but can't afford to for the whole trip. Just me travelling on my own, 32 years old british Male, quite quiet guy, can play a good guitar.

Any ideas appreciated,

Mike.

[TonyinNYC]

Seems like a fun trip. Sorry I have no advice for you, but have fun and good luck!

[mike-p]

Thanks Tony. I'll actually be in nyc for a couple of weeks before hand which should be fun. On another note I'm hoping to buy a couple of well seasoned adirondack tops are tricky to buy in the UK. Any suggestions?

[Kyle Barbour]

Sounds like a fun trip. Nathan Hampton seems to have some nice red spruce tops. He's in North Carolina I think. You might try contacting him through his eBay store. As far as the music goes, New Orleans and Nashville are the two biggest music cities around. There is always some live music going on in these towns and would be the top of my list. Have fun!

[TonyinNYC]

I was going to suggest John Arnold in Tennessee, but Kyle suggested Nathan Hampton, who recently cut a bunch of Adirondack spruce with John Arnold, either guy will work. John Arnold posts on the Official Luthiers Forum and the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum. You can probably contact him through those sites since he doesn't have a website. I know a guy who is in touch with John Arnold regularly and I may be able to get a number or email address for you. However, Nathan Hampton has some killer red spruce for sale. He also posts at the Official Luthiers Forum and you can contact him through there as well.

[mike-p]

Well I visited Nathan and Matt yesterday, great guys and unbelievable quality red spruce, to quote John Arnold it's as good as any that's been cut. It's not cheap but they do also have a lot of very good looking newer growth which is much more affordable.dropped in and meet John Arnold and played his old Nick Lucas and watched him remove the neck from an old 000-18.

Nathan and Matt are great guys doing great work and I can highly recommend them for red spruce in all grades, obviously John needs no recommendations from me!

As an aside I also played his personal guitar,12 fret Martin style dread with white oak back and sides, huge guitar with a loud uncomplicated voice, the figure of the oak looked beautiful under the finish as well.

Off to Nashville today.