Stevens Guitars

[drezdin]

It looks like Mr. Stevens new shop is done and he's back to building.
http://stevensguitars.com/news/

[Ogre]

This is great news. Michael Stevens is an artist in a cookie cutter dumbed down world.

[trisonic]

I don't own any but my neighbour, Barry Mitterhof has a Mandolin close to completion.
As Barry is the best Mandolinist I've heard (he gigs with Hot Tuna) he wouldn't buy crap! Michael Stevens has been very sick this year, no?

Best, Pete.

[drezdin]

His site said something about him being sick. I think Matte mentioned that he is doing much better now.

[Chapin Guitars]

This is wonderful news! Michael is a fantastic builder and great human being as well. It is great to see him back.

[matte]

I've known and worked with Mike since 1992. In that time I've owned and operated:
2 7 string LJs
2 FCS LJs
1 Korina Classic(Built in Mike's garage when he was @ Fender)twice
1 7 string Split Headstock Explorer (Korina)
3 6 Alpine built 6 string LJs
1 FCS Jimi Strat (rev headstock, bridge and bridge PU)
1 FCS Maestro 7 string Stratocaster
1 5 String Stevens Bass

Needless to say, I'm a huge fan. I consider Mike to be a very close friend, as well as one of my fave solidbody builders in the history of life. Many of the ideas that we came up with have ended up in my JG Bluesmaster 7 strings. Iconic builder and incredible human. :dude

[iainmc]

hey matte,

when are you going to put up a web site of your geetars. every time you talk about what you have & what you've owned it blows me away.

& i wouldn't even know how to spell serven strings let alone operate one...

/i

[VegasGreg]

I gotta have one of those LJ's.

Talk about a guitar that grew on me! :)

[matte]

Mike designed this guitar in the early "80's, well ahead of the scaled down Dot Marker curve. I've owned this guy twice. It was built in his garage in Corona during his tenure as the founder of the FCS
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/7986731/105682858.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/7986731/105682679.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/7986731/105682676.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/7986731/105682674.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/7986731/105682629.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/7986731/105682590.jpg

[tradarama]

Great guitar. I'd buy another in a second. The thing just plays great and sounds great. It's built well and has no BS. It's a real instrument.

[Luca Z]

I have one LJ on order:dude

[VegasGreg]

Originally posted by tradarama
Great guitar. I'd buy another in a second. The thing just plays great and sounds great. It's built well and has no BS. It's a real instrument.

Which one of Matte's 7's do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

I have my eye on one now, in addition to a 6 string being ordered on Monday.

[Luca Z]

VegasGreg,

what are you going to order?

Mine will be pretty standard, with quilted top, and with gold hardware and Tom Holmes pickups. Still have to decide about the color.

[VegasGreg]

Korina Chambered body, Quilted top, Brazilian Board, dots, nickel hardware. Either Trans Purple with black pickguard, or one of his nice bursts. I'm leaning towards a cherryburst of some sort.

I like his normal control layout, so I'll be sticking with that. I may have him add a phase switch, in addition to the push/pull tone controls.

I'm going to defer to him on pickup selection, unless you want to throw in a suggestion? I've always liked both Duncans and Dimarzios. I'm also a big Haussel fan. But my pickup experience ends right there....I usually find what I like, and stick with it, but if there are other things I should be looking at, I'm all ears. I really want a good classic Lester tone. I play some Country, but I play way more hard rock, i.e. Collective Soul, Caroline's Spine, Live, etc.....

I like versatility, so the taps and phase should cover that to a certain degree....

Actually, I'm still torn between going with Korina or Mahogany....I'll decide tomorrow for sure....

[Luca Z]

When I met Michael he talked very well of the Holmes so I ordered them even though there is a surcharge.

I also thought about a burst, I started with some more exotic finishes but maybe I like something more classic.

[Bassomatic]

Was fortunate to have one of these guys on loan for a few days:

http://stevensguitars.com/gallery/gallery-slant5/images/slant5-6.jpg

Sadly, i was short on cash at the time or i'd prob own it still. Tremendous lightweight beast of a bass.

[Mark Kane]

Hey Basso, I see on that bass and a lot of the newer ones that long top horn. Is that design just to balance the instrument better on a strap or are there other things going on too?

[Lex Luthier]

I met Mike at a Dallas gtr show and played a few Stevens guitars over the years, extremely nice instruments.

[JingleJungle]

Originally posted by markrutland
When I met Michael he talked very well of the Holmes so I ordered them even though there is a surcharge.

I also thought about a burst, I started with some more exotic finishes but maybe I like something more classic.

Hey Mark... I thought Holmes weren't available anymore.
Are those coming from your own private stash, or does Mike have his own hoard of goodies?

Hmmmm..... You are giving me naughty ideas, you know... ;)

JJ

[Luca Z]

HI JingleJungle,

yes Tom Holmes is still making pickups,
his email address

tomholmes@tomholmescompany.com


I also bought two extras fpickups from him or a side project I told you about (I'm Luca from Varese...)

[Bassomatic]

Originally posted by Mark Kane
Hey Basso, I see on that bass and a lot of the newer ones that long top horn. Is that design just to balance the instrument better on a strap or are there other things going on too?

I'd guess that's the case here, although the angle makes it longer than it is. Certainly not as long as some of the new designs i've seen from other builders, where it seems like the player might be addressing their "small package complex".:D

[VegasGreg]

Originally posted by markrutland
When I met Michael he talked very well of the Holmes so I ordered them even though there is a surcharge.

I also thought about a burst, I started with some more exotic finishes but maybe I like something more classic.

Well, I went with a Cherryburst finish.

Also, I decided on Florence Voodoo 59's for pickups-nickel covers.

Went with a chambered Korina body.

Now, the wait begins.....:D

[fretknot]

Sweet, Greg!

That is going to be a killer combo! Congratulations. :dude

[jharpersj]

I played a few of Matte's and Mike makes just sick guitars, although for some reason Matte tends to end up with the best of the best, ie all of Matte's Bakers rocked but the ones I owned were kinda lame, if they were $2,500 I would own one but $7,500 ??? please Mike make them cheaper :>

[ultra]

Hi guys.

I have only just discovered this forum just now and it looks very informative. I am going to enjoy checking all the cool stuff out.

In the meantime, I have some pics of my Stevens Classic that Michael built for me in 1998....September 13 was the day I picked it up in Alpine TX....that means I have had it for 7 years....jeez time flies.

Enjoy.

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid828243

[Luca Z]

Ultra,

welcome to the forum,

nice stuff you got there, do you own also the two LJs?

[ultra]

Thanks Mark.

Yeah, I own the 2 LJs and also the metallic pink Slant 5 bass that is further on up in the posts.

The LJs are from 1988 and are consequetively numbered, 003 and 004. These early ones were solid and not chambered.

They all sound great but the Classic is my main squeeze because I prefer the neck profile and also the 25.5" scale.

[TNJ]

Don Mock owns one...and it is tres cool!

S.
j

[VegasGreg]

Originally posted by ultra
Hi guys.

Enjoy.

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid828243


OK, I did.

NICE Guitars!!

I haven't even gotten my first one yet, and I'm already thinking about what my second one will be...

[ultra]

Thanks VegasGreg,

I just went back and read your post of your expected chambered Korina cherry burst with Voodoos.

Should be a great combination and the Voodoos will sound great in it.

What timeframe is Michael quoting?

I am doing some serious thinking myself.....hmmmm

[Eddie Bognovic]

Originally posted by ultra
[B]In the meantime, I have some pics of my Stevens Classic that Michael built for me in 1998....September 13 was the day I picked it up in Alpine TX....that means I have had it for 7 years....jeez time flies.

That looks very impressive. How does it feel to play?

[ultra]

Thanks Eddie,

It feels like it is part of me. I have never played a guitar that is just so together. It is lively and responsive, transparent and piano-like when played clean and so powerful and articulate when played high gain....every note is even .

I asked for 25.5" scale (because I have very big hands) and the braz board and 6100 frets on a BIG neck is just heaven.
It is fast if you want and you can dig in too, when required.

The Holmes hums are so complex and combined with the Korina neck and body, it voices just right. It allows you to cut through in the mix without being shrill.

I suppose it is best summed up in one word : powerful