El Degas C-79 classical

[Silversorcerer]

I have an El Degas model C-79 classical, no indication of origin or date of manufacture by label. I have seen a smaller Romanian El Degas classical on ebay that was somewhat similar, but I can't be sure of origin. This is a full-sized 650mm string scale classical guitar. The construction appears to be laminated wood throughout with a traditional fan-braced top with scalloped brace ends. It has kerfed linings and is generally a very well built and cleanly built instrument. This guitar actually has much thicker spruce laminations (inner and outer of 3 layers) in the top than most laminated guitars I have seen and the top is as thick as a solid spruce top. It is in great condition overall with only minor dents and scratches, has original tuners that are in perfect condition, is set up with new strings and a professionally installed bone saddle. Included is a a chip board case in OK condition.

This guitar came to me as a trade-in and while I really think it is about the best built laminated classical guitar I have seen, I have too many guitars already so I'd like to pass it on to someone who needs it more than I do for a reasonable price. I think it would be a suitable guitar for anyone who wants a durable inexpensive great playing nylon string guitar in their stable. It could also easily be converted to acoustic/electic for amplified performance. Currently the only non-original part is the bone saddle because the original saddle was missing when I got the guitar.

I can answer any questions or provide photos by e-mail. If you are interested please contact me through this forum.

[Barry]

Hi yo Silver, ah, Sorcerer...(um, never mind)

Ya might get more action if ya show what it is yer sellin!

[Whitelion6]

Yes I would love to see some pics of your El degas. I use to have one which I'm really missing these days.I loved that guitar. I am seriously looking for another.

Thanks,
Whitelions wife naturespirit

PS: I tried myself yesterday to get into the forum but had problems and that is why my husband went in on my behalf. He thinks I couldn't get in because I used a hotmail addey. I really don't know. Hope you won't mind.

[charles]

PS: I tried myself yesterday to get into the forum but had problems and that is why my husband went in on my behalf. He thinks I couldn't get in because I used a hotmail addey. I really don't know. Hope you won't mind.

No problem - not sure why you had problems registering. Make sure the confirmation/verification email did not get tagged and removed as suspected spam.

[Barry]

Yes I would love to see some pics of your El degas. I use to have one which I'm really missing these days.I loved that guitar. I am seriously looking for another....

Hi Whitelion6...I think I would not hold my breath waiting here for a response from sliversorcerer. He's not been around for some time. I hope I'm wrong and that he's still monitoring thengs here, but on the off chance that he isn't...I suggest that you try clicking on the PM button next to his avatar and sending him a Private Message. You might have better success.
Good luck!

[Whitelion6]

Thanks alot Barry. Will do.

Whitelion

[Silversorcerer]

Sorry for not showing up for some time but I sold the guitar locally in the summer of 2009 and it has an interesting story. A street musician (busker) who was a recovering addict bought the guitar for $40. I passed him on the sidewalk and he was collecting change to buy a guitar. All he had was a backpack and a plastic cup full of change. So I brought him the El Degas the next day and he had about $5 for a down payment. I left it with him to try out for a few hours. When I went back he said he liked it and gave me $10. He was now making money playing songs for tips instead of collecting change. The following day, he paid off the balance of $30. A few days later (he was still sleeping outdoors), the guitar was stolen by someone who offered him a ride, so he said. But he had enough saved to buy an inexpensive folk guitar from a local music store. About a week later he had written all these songs, good songs too. He paid me to record his songs with GarageBand and I think we recorded about 6 or 7 songs;- just him and the guitar. I burned a bunch of CD's for him and he was then playing songs for tips and selling the CD's. Keep in mind he was still living on the streets. Then he bought an interesting painted guitar, a brand new Recording King (not the vintage one) and went traveling out west, busking all along the way and writing more tunes. We were in touch for a while. He never recovered the stolen El Degas classical and I have not seen another like it. Bummer. The intonation was perfect on that one.

At least the El Degas gave him a good start on his journey. I haven't heard from the fellow since this past spring. He was supposed to come back through and do some more recording. His name is Jessie King. His style was somewhere between Don McClean and Donovan. Very interesting songs and delivery;- a great real song writer;- a King of the road, one might say. I was very glad that I got to record him. I am in touch with his cousin through facebook so hopefully he will benefit eventually from the recordings again.

[charles]

Kudos!!!

[Silversorcerer]

I'll pop in to check up on you compatriots and see what's up from time to time. I do get the PM notifications, so that works. I spend a little time on the Harmony guitar forum (Harmony of Chicago, the old company) and am doing more photos of the vintage Harmony guitars these days and also playing vintage trumpets and mellophones and busking a bit myself and I play bass and double bass in a few different bands. I am a busy fellow with my music and guitar restoration work. Any one that wants to can find me on facebook.com/silversorcerer. I do post some photos of the Harmony guitars there as well. These are all vintage American models;- one of my hobbies. I apologize for not getting photos of the El Degas, but at the time, there just wasn't time and I did intend to get photos of Jessie with the guitar but the theft kind of took me by surprise.

Best wishes to all the El Degas fans out there and I keep my eye out for these El Degas classical models. These were inexpensive, but I own and play some really nice guitars and for an inexpensive guitar, El Degas is pretty sweet.