+51MontyPython It's also unbelievably expensive. Greenfields are fantastic guitars, but one like Tony has in this vid will run you anywhere up to $20 000.
+JimJamBanx So, there's nothing wrong with the video or my computer screen? The neck on that thing looks like a funhouse mirror. I was concerned, ha ha
Ted Peterson That's called a fanned fret guitar, or multiscale guitar. Each string has it's own scale length, meaning you can get the most appropriate tension and physical movement of the strings, resulting in different tonal characteristics. So this means you can get tight, powerful, and clear low end, whilst retaining warm, bell like treble, (kind of like getting the best of both a strat and a les paul). And the frets are fanned out accordingly so their intervals are in the proper location. Think of a piano, the strings for the lower notes are incredibly long, while the high notes have really short strings, it's the same idea here.
51MontyPython Fanned fret instruments have been around for hundreds of years in one way or another, it's just in recent years that it's surged in popularity with electric and steel string acoustic makers. Michael Greenfield has become of one of the "fan fret guys", with nearly half of his orders being fanned fret.
It is so wonderfull to see & hear Martin interviewing and playing on You Tube.... He is such a wonderfull man & muscian... Incredible to see & hear Tony ....his playing is inspirational to say the least.. I lean towards alternate capos... My thoughts are, to retune , alternates the stress on the instrument and upsets the balance. I look forward to more vids from Martin ...Love to see him in Alberta some day ...You are definitely on my bucket list ...Cheers from Alberta Dave W
Good to hear Tony gives credit to Dave Graham and Pierre Bensusan who, among others, explored these alternate tunings over the several previous decades. I believe they all contributed to create a new sound for the Celtic guitar and expand the fingerpicking techniques and capabilities.
Totally agree Daniel. I used to patronize the Troubador in '63 (Old Brompton Road) where Davey Graham was a regular performer. I had no money was well underdrinkingage but was bought a few occasional beers and felt right at home in a crowded room full of strangers listening to DG. I never knew Davey was playing altered tuning which explains why I couldn't find the pathway into his playing. Morocco was a big influence on him at the time - as was some dubious other stuff. But he never ever disappointed.
Up to a month ago, I lived within a half hour of Elora for 6 years. It's a very nice place to spend a sunny day on the streets and in the shops and bistros. Then in June 2019 I move almost 4 hours away, but still in Ontario, discover this "Tony McManus" fellow while browsing, and he's playing only 20 minutes from here. Hmmm, bike parts or concert tickets ....
It's a new model from Michael Greenfield (Canadian) called the G1.2 2 year wait list and starts @ around $8,000-10,000 US. Only difference between the G1 and the G1.2 is the fanned frets. Hope this helped
Thank you Martin..... It also helps your sound when you play a well crafted instrument. I myself prefer Not to change the stresses on my guitar by altering the tuning. I like to just add a capo that does Not cover all strings ....just a thought :)
Does anyone know what the name of the piece he mentions at 4:17 is? I can't make out what he's saying (switch on the subtitles, I think they may have also misheard)
John Twomey No problem! It's hard to make it out if you don't speak spanish! The most famous movement is the 2nd one, I think lots of people know that melody.
For playing DADGAD in a wide range of styles, including improvising on jazz standards, it's hard to do better than Sandy Shalk, who also has a couple of DADGAD teaching DVDs in Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop series. Sandy is also a lovely person to correspond with and his warmth shines through in his playing.
Ha ! Whats the chance of that , being a known guitarist and your first name is a brand of guitar as well as your last name is also another brand of guitar , lol !!!
That guitar is literally unbelievable. Just of this world. The perfect tone I've always searched for yet didn't even think was possible.
+51MontyPython It's also unbelievably expensive. Greenfields are fantastic guitars, but one like Tony has in this vid will run you anywhere up to $20 000.
+JimJamBanx
So, there's nothing wrong with the video or my computer screen? The neck on that thing looks like a funhouse mirror. I was concerned, ha ha
Ted Peterson That's called a fanned fret guitar, or multiscale guitar. Each string has it's own scale length, meaning you can get the most appropriate tension and physical movement of the strings, resulting in different tonal characteristics. So this means you can get tight, powerful, and clear low end, whilst retaining warm, bell like treble, (kind of like getting the best of both a strat and a les paul). And the frets are fanned out accordingly so their intervals are in the proper location. Think of a piano, the strings for the lower notes are incredibly long, while the high notes have really short strings, it's the same idea here.
*****
I have to admire the ingenuity that went into such a concept. Whoever designed it must have really known their stuff.
51MontyPython Fanned fret instruments have been around for hundreds of years in one way or another, it's just in recent years that it's surged in popularity with electric and steel string acoustic makers. Michael Greenfield has become of one of the "fan fret guys", with nearly half of his orders being fanned fret.
Hard to believe, but I've only discovered Tony McManus today. So I'll remember this moment! What a stunning player. And a beautiful man.
It is so wonderfull to see & hear Martin interviewing and playing on You Tube.... He is such a wonderfull man & muscian... Incredible to see & hear Tony ....his playing is inspirational to say the least.. I lean towards alternate capos... My thoughts are, to retune , alternates the stress on the instrument and upsets the balance. I look forward to more vids from Martin ...Love to see him in Alberta some day ...You are definitely on my bucket list ...Cheers from Alberta
Dave W
This is just wonderful - and credit to martin for being so open hearted - in the end there is just music - I love this - thank you so much !
I first saw Tony play in Edinburgh in the mid 80's. Totally blew me away
2 of my fave guitarists ,,, wow ,, I have their albums on constant play in my car..
Looking in at my Favourite players ...Cheers Martin and Tony
both these genius musical marvels,, have their own MODEL guitars
Excellent interview!
I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for this pearl.
Best wishes
Staffan
Good to hear Tony gives credit to Dave Graham and Pierre Bensusan who, among others, explored these alternate tunings over the several previous decades.
I believe they all contributed to create a new sound for the Celtic guitar and expand the fingerpicking techniques and capabilities.
Totally agree Daniel. I used to patronize the Troubador in '63 (Old Brompton Road) where Davey Graham was a regular performer. I had no money was well underdrinkingage but was bought a few occasional beers and felt right at home in a crowded room full of strangers listening to DG. I never knew Davey was playing altered tuning which explains why I couldn't find the pathway into his playing. Morocco was a big influence on him at the time - as was some dubious other stuff. But he never ever disappointed.
Up to a month ago, I lived within a half hour of Elora for 6 years. It's a very nice place to spend a sunny day on the streets and in the shops and bistros. Then in June 2019 I move almost 4 hours away, but still in Ontario, discover this "Tony McManus" fellow while browsing, and he's playing only 20 minutes from here. Hmmm, bike parts or concert tickets ....
Its called Donal Og, and it is featured on his album The Maker's Mark!
great stuff
C'est super 👍 pour les joueurs de guitare 🎸 bravo 👏
please bring him on again, and have him play several full length tunes... please!!
Thanks!
'Great interview... for whatever style you're playing in! :-R
fantastic
It's a new model from Michael Greenfield (Canadian) called the G1.2
2 year wait list and starts @ around $8,000-10,000 US. Only difference between the G1 and the G1.2 is the fanned frets. Hope this helped
Does he anchor his right hand?
I loved this, thank you. Gotta dig Tony McManus.
BUT, ocd me wants to straighten the capo at the end.
It appears as such because he's playing a fanned-fret guitar, I think.
Lots of guys run the capo closer to the fret toward the bass. Cleans up the sound.
With a name like "Martin Taylor" you're born to play acoustic guitars.
What is the tune he plays at 8:51.. Please anyone?
Now westlin winds - Dick Gaughan
Thank you Martin..... It also helps your sound when you play a well crafted instrument. I myself prefer Not to change the stresses on my guitar by altering the tuning. I like to just add a capo that does Not cover all strings ....just a thought :)
Oh, my god that song at 5.40 is beautiful but what does he says it's called?
What he plays at 8:54 is incredible. What was THAT?
That's Dick Gaughan's version of Robert Burns' Now Westlin Winds. Its in his Handful of Earth album.
@mcmanustony Could you let us know what tune you're playing a bit of starting at 8m50s? Sounds beautiful... Thank you!
What is the name of the piece he plays at 5:36? I can't speak Gaelic - I can't even spell what he said haha.
Is it something like Doan a loag(h)?
@mcmanustony Thanks, I tried all kind of different spellings on google :).
Great playin btw, I'm just starting with celtic guitar :)
What does he say that the song is called? :)
Beautiful rendition of gs mclennan's inveran
what guitar is Tony playing in this vid?
A Greenfield i think :)
Does anyone know what the name of the piece he mentions at 4:17 is? I can't make out what he's saying (switch on the subtitles, I think they may have also misheard)
Concierto de Aranjuez de Rodrigo.
Thanks man
John Twomey No problem! It's hard to make it out if you don't speak spanish! The most famous movement is the 2nd one, I think lots of people know that melody.
WHat kind of guitar is that?
@MrWallerand
Gaughan. Scottish singer and guitarist.
For playing DADGAD in a wide range of styles, including improvising on jazz standards, it's hard to do better than Sandy Shalk, who also has a couple of DADGAD teaching DVDs in Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop series. Sandy is also a lovely person to correspond with and his warmth shines through in his playing.
Greenfield Guitars and he has a model form PRS named for himself
At 6:03
thats a green field guitar... andy mckee also have one of those
a guy named after a two guitars hosts a guitar show with two guitarists and compares hearing great guitar music to JFK: illuminati confirmed!
Dat Greenfield.
his guitar has crooked frets
+Bónne B Fan fretted :)
And costs over 15 thousand US dollars because of that.
Ha ! Whats the chance of that , being a known guitarist and your first name is a brand of guitar as well as your last name is also another brand of guitar , lol !!!
Any classical player can play that less percussively than that. Unless that percussiveness would be defended as part of that sound.
Slightly over done with the intro....