Terry Clements Guitar?

[Jesse Joe]

http://www.lightfoot.ca/terry2.jpg

This is a question for the guitar buffs out there.

What kind of acoustic Guitar does Terry use? I know it looks like a Martin, but Im pretty sure it isn't one. From the pics that we have been receiving lately, and, I also notice it in concerts, the headstock of the guitar, is what makes me say it's not a Martin. Maybe a Luthier's guitar that was made for him.

His electric of course is a Gretsch...Jesse. :) :rolleyes:

[ August 04, 2006, 12:15: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

[Jesse Joe]

http://www.lightfoot.ca/terry2.jpg

This is a question for the guitar buffs out there.

What kind of acoustic Guitar does Terry use? I know it looks like a Martin, but Im pretty sure it isn't one. From the pics that we have been receiving lately, and, I also notice it in concerts, the headstock of the guitar, is what makes me say it's not a Martin. Maybe a Luthier's guitar that was made for him.

His electric of course is a Gretsch...Jesse. :) :rolleyes:

[ August 04, 2006, 12:15: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

[Jesse Joe]

http://myspace-348.vo.llnwd.net/00994/84/32/994662348_l.jpg

The headstock of the guitar. :)

[Jesse Joe]

http://myspace-348.vo.llnwd.net/00994/84/32/994662348_l.jpg

The headstock of the guitar. :)

[Cathy]

Terry usually uses a Martin D-18 from the late '60s, I think. But I agree with you. This definitely doesn't look like the Martin. Maybe he bought a new one, too.

[New 12 String Mike]

Yup, looks like Terry's using a new axe.

Sort of favors the non-Martin rosewood dred that Gord has.

[bkkbkbkb]

http://myspace-601.vo.llnwd.net/01009/10/66/1009606601_l.jpg

[MorningGlory]

http://myspace-601.vo.llnwd.net/01009/10/66/1009606601_l.jpg

[Jesse Joe]

Thank's Cathy, I knew you would answer this one. Also to New 12 String Mike. Morning Glory thank's for that great pic.

On this great pic from Morning Glory, Terry's guitar, does look like the one Gord has use for so many years. It's probably what Mike was saying...Jesse. :)

[Jesse Joe]

Thank's Cathy, I knew you would answer this one. Also to New 12 String Mike. Morning Glory thank's for that great pic.

On this great pic from Morning Glory, Terry's guitar, does look like the one Gord has use for so many years. It's probably what Mike was saying...Jesse. :)

[Cathy]

Gordon's new 6 string guitar is a Martin. His 12 strings are Gibsons.
Terry's looks like an OM size guitar, instead of a dreadnaught. I have no idea what kind it is, though.

[New 12 String Mike]

Yup, That's Gordon's D-18. Did anybody ever figure out what that spot on the back of that guitar was?

[Jesse Joe]

Some have posted ,that it was to protect the guitar from his belt buckle. I myself think, the guitar was probably damaged.

In the front, close to the bridge, below the sound hole, there's this round black patch, on both guitars . The 6 & 12 Strings.

There have been many theory's talked about on this. Some say it has a switch, he just has to press on it, and it as some sort of an effect.

Other's say it's, for protection, from the picks, on his 12 string, Gibson B45, and protection from his fingernails, on his 6 string Martin D18.

He wouldn't want his guitars to look like Willie Nelson's old "Trigger" guitar... :D :)

Im sure you all noticed,the fingernails on Gordon's right hand. They look like guitar picks.

I myself do play both ways. Sometimes with a pick, and other times, plucking the strings with my fingers, but never was able to use my finger nails... :(

[Jesse Joe]

Some have posted ,that it was to protect the guitar from his belt buckle. I myself think, the guitar was probably damaged.

In the front, close to the bridge, below the sound hole, there's this round black patch, on both guitars . The 6 & 12 Strings.

There have been many theory's talked about on this. Some say it has a switch, he just has to press on it, and it as some sort of an effect.

Other's say it's, for protection, from the picks, on his 12 string, Gibson B45, and protection from his fingernails, on his 6 string Martin D18.

He wouldn't want his guitars to look like Willie Nelson's old "Trigger" guitar... :D :)

Im sure you all noticed,the fingernails on Gordon's right hand. They look like guitar picks.

I myself do play both ways. Sometimes with a pick, and other times, plucking the strings with my fingers, but never was able to use my finger nails... :(

[Cathy]

I don't use fingernails, either, Jesse. They always seem to break. I find that when I use my fingertips, if I play a lot, they become callused much the same as my fretting fingers and actually add a little more zing to the sound of the guitar. In spite of all that, I am again attempting to grow my fingernails out. And I have pretty polish on them. The polish has a hardener in it. We'll see.

[Jesse Joe]

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9720/sguitarsnl1.jpg

{This was actualy written by, Terry Clements himself.}

[Jesse Joe]

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9720/sguitarsnl1.jpg

{This was actualy written by, Terry Clements himself.}

[Boomer]

I believe Gord is playing a Maglincy on the back of GG2.

[TC]

I believe Gord is playing a Maglincy on the back of GG2.

[Cathy]

Thanks Jesse. I knew it was an OM size guitar. Now I know the brand. I believe Maglincy was a luthier in the USA, but I don't remember where. Gord played a Maglincy for awhile, too. If I remember correctly, Maglincy is either dead, or has retired from making guitars. Let's hope it's the second.

[Jesse Joe]

Your right on with that one Cathy. I knew it had to be a luthiers guitar...Jesse. :)

[Jesse Joe]

Your right on with that one Cathy. I knew it had to be a luthiers guitar...Jesse. :)

[Iron]

Yeah,custom unit made for Terry. Gordon mentioned something about it last year at Wolftrapp,and something about His son "absconding" His D-18GL,and gordon was also sporting a different D-18 last year,I think it was a D-18V.The one He is using now looks like the older one He was using for many years.(I recall something about it being stolen at an airport a couple years back??)
As for the "patch", I say it is a "muffler" of sorts..to eliminate the ticking sounds created when fingernails brush against the top ,especially while using a flatpick..Just a guess

[Jesse Joe]

Thanks Iron for the latest info, on that famous patch. It is interesting to say the least... Jesse. :)

[Jesse Joe]

Thanks Iron for the latest info, on that famous patch. It is interesting to say the least... Jesse. :)

[charlene]

I knew there was a thread about the patch on Gord's guitar and a discussion about Terry's guitars!
here's pics from RonJ.

[Tim]

When my family and I met Gordon and the band at Aurora in Sept 2007, my son noticed that Terry was using a different guitar from the D-18 he had been using. When we spoke to Terry after the concert, he indicated that Gordon switched his 6-string guitar from his Martin D-28 to a Martin D-18. So, to get a sound distinctive from Gordon's guitar, Terry switched to this parlor-shaped guitar. He said it was personnally designed for him by a gentleman "who has since passed away." This must be the OM-45 referred to in Jesse Joe's post above.

[fezo]

OM size guitars are wonderful. They are basically a 000 with a slightly different neck length if I have that right. I have one that a friend and bandmate of mine who is also a part time luthier made. Wonderful sound.

Glad to see this topic back at the top. guitar talk is always fun.... Besides, someone will spot what I said about OMs and 000s and know exactly the difference and educate me...

[bjm7777]

Great pix of Gord and his gear. I started a thread a few days back about the pickguard patches. The explanation given certainly makes sense. By the way, does Lightfoot have a McGlincey or a D-45 on the cover of Dreamstreet Rose? There's a pix of him on Waiting For You that shows the same guitar, as well as a YouTube video of a 1979 performance of If You Could Read My Mind, with the same axe.

I have never had much to do with the OOO-body guitars - I did own a maple-bodied concert-sized guitar with a cutout - hated it. Good for finger work, though. I have kept with dreads, myself - Guild, Martin, and Blueridge. Anyway, I could go on all day about gear. Like I said, great pictures.

[fezo]

I love 000 size. Better yet is what they alternately call M or 0000 size - jumbo size with 000 depth. Anything sounds good on it.

[JohninCt.]

Ok, this should answer most your questions and it is the correct spelling of the late Ed McGlincys name. From an article in 2000.


Gordon Lightfoot plays a pair of 12-string Gibson B-45-12s from the 1960s. He uses two of them on stage: one in standard tuning, the other capoed at the third fret with the lowest pair of strings dropped to D. The instruments appear on Lightfoot album covers stretching back to the '60s, although the guitar seen on the Sundown cover was lost on the road many years ago. The cover of Lightfoot's earliest LP, Lightfoot, shows a Martin D-28 that was subsequently stolen. He acquired a later model D-28, which he keeps at home along with an ornate custom Brazilian rosewood dreadnought (seen on the cover of Dream Street Rose) by Ed McGlincy (220 Delsea Dr., Westville, NJ 08093; (Since passed away), who has retired from guitarmaking for health reasons. On stage, he also plays a Martin D-18 from the '30s or '40s.
In the last decade or so, Lightfoot added pickups to his acoustic guitars, a change from the mic-only stage setup he described in a 1985 Frets magazine interview. His pickup of choice is a Fishman Acoustic Matrix II, which he mixes with a Shure SM-57 microphone and feeds into a direct box and then into the mixing board and a Fender Twin Reverb amp he uses as a stage monitor.
Lightfoot's preferred flatpick is a Yamaha ("the older model you can't get anymore") that's a little thinner than Terry Clements' D'Andrea medium, and his capo is a Shubb Deluxe. He uses Ernie Ball Earthwood Bronze strings, but substitutes a D'Addario .053 11th on the "straight" 12-string, "because [Ernie Ball] doesn't make the odd .053." The other 12-string takes the same configuration but with an .054 on the dropped 11th string. He also substitutes a phosphor-bronze low G (fifth) on the 12-strings because "it makes it easier to hear." For his Martin, "the medium-light Ernie Ball set really gives a lot of snap," says Lightfoot. "I raised my gauges on the low end a little bit, and I found that it helped."
Although he was at the Newport Folk Festival when Bob Dylan committed his legendary plugged-in heresy, Lightfoot also keeps a couple of electrics: an old Fender Telecaster ("My 17-year-old son learned to play guitar on that one") and a Gibson SG seen on the back of the 1983 Salute album.
Terry Clements, Lightfoot's longtime lead guitarist, relies on two 1964 Martin D-18s and two Gretsch electrics (a 1964 Tennessean and a 1976 Country Gentleman, the latter his primary stage ax) that have infused themselves into the Lightfoot sound. The Gretsches have a warm bass sound and sparkly treble that work especially well with folk music, but with chorus and distortion they can also sound the Edmund Fitzgerald klaxon/siren wail.
On stage, Clements uses a Roland JC-120 amplifier for the electric, and a Fender Deluxe Reverb for the acoustic. He uses a Boss pedalboard for both the Martin (chorus and a Boss TU-12 tuner) and Gretsch (delay, chorus, fuzz, tuner), and his Martins are fitted with Fishman Acoustic Matrix II pickups.
Like Lightfoot, Clements favors Ernie Ball strings. "They're great strings," he says. "In my many years, very few times have I ever come up with a lemon. They hang right in there, too." He favors gauges .050, .040, .030, .022, .015, and .010, very light for something like a Martin D-18, but, he says, "I have to use a lighter set because I do a lot of bends." Clements uses nickel-wound electric strings on the Gretsches. "The Country Gentleman's neck is so long," he says, "that I can't use a .017 unwound. Instead I use a .020 wound, which is fairly heavy for an electric." His capo is a Hamilton, which he describes as an "orthopedic device" compared to the sleek modern designs.
Clements has a 000-size McGlincy that is identical in appointments to Lightfoot's dreadnought. He also keeps a Martin 0-18 strung in Nashville tuning--with the bottom four strings an octave higher than standard--and a couple of gut-string guitars in his studio, complemented on the electric side by a '60s Rickenbacker 360-12 (as played by Roger McGuinn), a '59 Stratocaster, a '79 Telecaster, a Fender bass, and a Gibson Les Paul.

[bjm7777]

To "JohninCt" - thanks so much. I now have a "gear high", and I should be good for the day. Lots of good information and thanks - so it IS a McGlincy on Dream Street Rose.
I am not a professional musician, but I have used those Ernie Ball Earthwood strings since 1980 on the advice of a buddy of mine who played Bluegrass (which I don't play). Thanks again.

[Buckwheat301]

I talked to Terry Sunday night after the Saginaw show. He played his McGlincy at that show. He said he still has his D-18's (plural). He said he had it made from the same woods as his D-18. He also wishes McGlincy was still with us so he could refinish the guitar. What an awesome guy!:headbang:

[Vernon Kindred]

I have a high degree of certainty that the guitar with no pick guard in these pictures is a "McGlincy." Another is pictured on the inside cover of "Waiting for You". That one is described in the January 2000 issue of Acoustic Guitar under the title of "What They Play." In part the article describes that guitar as, "...an ornate custom Brazilian rosewood dreadnought (seen on the cover of Dream Street Rose) by Ed McGlincy..." They fail to mention the "Waiting for You" picture. Ed's guitars are visually distinguishable by two things: 1. no traditional pick guard, and 2. a "bracket-shaped" head
{.

I have much more information about Ed and his guitars if anyone is interested.

[Jesse Joe]

You are right Vernon... it is a McGlincy Guitar. And I also do have that article found in 'Acoustic Guitar' under the title of "What They Play." It's an interesting read especially the part about the 'Ernie Ball Guitar String' guages that Lightfoot uses on both his 12 string Gibson B-45 & his 6 string Martin D-18. A real pro he is if you ask me. :redface:

http://www.acguitar.com/issues/ag85/gear85.shtml (http://www.acguitar.com/issues/ag85/gear85.shtml)

[Jesse Joe]

Pictured here is Gordon Lightfoot with his McGlincy Guitar from "Complete Greatest Hits" & "Gord's Gold Volume 2."

Notice his guitar does have a clear pick guard.


*

[JohninCt.]

I kind of remember that some time back Terry told me they had paid around $2400 for the guitars, I think that was for each of them, but of course my old age may have sunk in and distorted that.

[jj]

wow, the knowledge and detail in this thread is mind numbing....good stuff

when folks ask if i have an instrument, i say, "a wood guitar, it has 6 strings"

[Vernon Kindred]

Thanks, Jesse Joe for the info AND the pictures.

[Jesse Joe]

Most welcome Vernon ! :)

[alex]

He played an Ed McGlincy. Gord does. (It has his been featured on album covers.)

I am blessed by luck to own one. See my "Social Site" "McGLINCY Guitars.

You can see mine.

[alex]

Custom made, there were only nine ever created (according to sources).
I am bleesed to have had one built for me (The seventh: The one after Terry's).

To see photos of mine (and Gord's, as conveyed on Albums), go to SOCIAL GROUP: McGLINCY GUITAR

I have owned mine, since 1983.

What I can not convey, is its' wonderful resonance. A true aural masterwork.
(It put D-45's to shame. Even my old D-50 had to blush...The D-50 sounded close, but it was no Ed McGlincy.)

Do Visit and Enjoy!

[alex]

P.S.

Go to "Quick Links" (next to "Log Out', above), select "Social Groups".
Find "McGLINCY GUITAR".
Click "Show all pictures"

I will answer your questions, as time permits.
More photographs will be added, if there is sufficient interest.

[alex]

Don't forget to click "All Pictures" or words to the effect.

I am happy to solve the mystery, for those of you who were curious and never did recieve a satisfactory explanation about this Instrument...I am sorry it has taken so long...better late, than never at all.
(Although I have been a member of this Group, for years, I have rarely posted. (One post made, was not mine. It was some sort of spoof, or spam. This soured me and made me a bit reticent to post anything. However, I would "lurk" and observe, from time-to-time. I finally became motivated to share thoughts and reveal insights, upon the learning of poor Terry's death. My intention was validated, upon witnessing the common outpouring of respect for the Man. I still can't believe he is gone. I will miss him, terribly. The world is now a poorer place.)

[jj]

Interesting stuff, thanks for sharing...what a gem

I'd never seen that last Gord pic

Those are nasty "bell" bottoms!

[alex]

ANOTHER WAY to see the McGLINCY photos:

Click my name (alex) and then, click the album.

Enjoy! (Do click "View All". I've posted 17 photos, to date.)

[charlene]

Is there a direct link that can be posted?
thankyou.

[alex]

This may work:

http://www.corfid.com/vbb/album.php?albumid=23

[charlene]

thanks...I didn't realize it was here at CORFID!
lol
beautiful guitars..thanks for posting!

[JohninCt.]

Alex, have you ever heard of any of the McGlincys being resold by an original owner ?

[Cathy]

OM size guitars are wonderful. They are basically a 000 with a slightly different neck length if I have that right. I have one that a friend and bandmate of mine who is also a part time luthier made. Wonderful sound.

Glad to see this topic back at the top. guitar talk is always fun.... Besides, someone will spot what I said about OMs and 000s and know exactly the difference and educate me...

And, the neck of an OM is usually a bit wider than an 000, better suited to finger picking. I have an OM28V. It's a beautiful guitar. I still prefer the old D15, though.

Cathy

[alex]

Dear JohninCT.,

I am aware of only a partial lineage of Edward McGlincy's Instruments.
If you will imagine a tree, one branch starts at an initial owner. The start of the branch of which I am most aware: Bob Dylan bought one, he showed his to Gordon Lighfoot, he ordered one, who showed his to Terry Clements, who ordered one, who showed his to me. I placed my order a few days later, after I had played Terry's, and after he had given me an introduction to Ed. This is where this particular "branch" ends. The second branch, begins with Johnny Cash. I do not know if this branch continued, in a similar way to the Dylan-Lightfoot-Clements-yours truly, chain. I am given to believe there are four more McGlincys in other hands. I have been trying to determine the dispoition of Johnny Cash's McGlincy. I am pursuing the matter and I may learn of its' status, one day.

As a serious collectors of stringed instruments, I have come to learn an owner is merely a custodian. We, as custodians, do our utmost to protect beautiful instruments and we can only hope they will find their way into worthy hands, upon our eventual demise. (We trust the next custodian will give the instrument, the respect it deserves, commensurate with its quality.)

I have been continually trading, buying and selling guitars, since the late 1960's. My first ax was a Martin D12-35. I learned to play on it. It was a terrible instrument to hear and an ogre, to play, let alone learn chords on. In my young mind, it was a Martin, until I had gained a little wisdom. Three years later, I had saved enough to buy a Gibson 12-string...This soon eveolved into a series of acquisitions (both "B's" and "J's", in various saddle configuartions. I still retain one: most playable, indeed.). I will continue to trade, buy and sell. This McGlincy is included in the practise. One day, I will probably part with it, given it is becoming more difficult for me to play, with the advancing years.

I am always receptive to serious offers.

After all this waxing philisophical: I do not know if any of the original owners have sold theirs.

Cheers,

Alex

[alex]

I have received two very interesting links from Johann Lowenberg.

The first takes you to CBC Radio 3.

Before his passing, Terry produced some great music, featuring Terry, Red and Rick, on Johann's upcoming album. Lightfoot Folks, do CHECK this link out!:

http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Johann-Lowenberg

You will hear demos, but it probably won't take long to master them for release.
The music is wonderful!!! It is a great treat. Thank you Johann.

The second is about possible lineage links of the McGlincy guitar:

I quote his Johann's correspondence:

"Hi Alex

This article shows that Dylan and Cash were good friends, so it could very well be possible one showed the other his McGlincy, depending on which was built first

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/spotlight-0217-2011/

johann"

My response:

"Johann,

Thank you. It was fascinating article. It certainly made me think about the possible connection between Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.

It is possible one showed the other his McGlincy and the other was sufficiently impressed to have one made for himself. The "branch" may go Dylan, Cash, Lightfoot, Clements, myself or, possibly Cash, Dylan, Lightfoot, Clements, me.

Perhaps someone who knows Mr. Dylan could shed some light on the matter and clarify the lineage?..."

I would now add:...or, someone who knew Johnny Cash?

[charlene]

Gordon could ask Kristofferson to check the Cash story..
;)
geeze - Rodney Crowell was just here in town last week..he may have seen it around the house back when he was married to Roseanne...

[alex]

I just received an update from Johann. The link for the McGlincy Article is not working.

Try this one: http://goo.gl/XfjqC

I've tried it. It works!

Thanks, Johann.

Charlene, you have a sage suggestion.

Good lead: Next time I see Gord, I'll ask him if he knows. If he doesn't, I'll ask him to ask Kris Kristofferson.

Alex

[alex]

Make that the Cash-Dylan connection article...

[alex]

I am still listening to Terry's outstanding licks, to this day, from time to time. Let us never forget this accomplished talent!

[alex]

Terry was the best! Listen from Don Quixote, onward...You will not fail to be amazed!