I just sold a 1973 Levin W32! Yes, it’s true about Martin acquiring the timber! They say the timber was sourced from the same place Stradivarius sourced their timber! Some of the tops on those guitars were over 2000 years old!
any more details as to when they were using the very old wood for the tops? been looking at levin guitars for a while now and that fact might finally make me buy one :)
@@santrixhimself3679 I’m sorry, I can’t remember where I saw it! I was in the same situation so I had to research Levin and I just remember coming across it! It definitely said that they used the same source as Stradivarius for their timbers! And it said that there’s a possibility that some of those tops were over 2000 years old! The one I had was a 1973 W32! It was lovely! Beautiful neck with an ebony fingerboard with inlays very similar to those on a Martin! Very light, and very vibrant! I swapped a classic car for it! That’s how much I like it! Hope this helps!
I have an early `60`s Levin that I bought about 30 years ago from a woman that was 100 years old. It has aged beautifully and the wood is stunning. I keep it with a high action and strung with 13`s for playing bottleneck - - it sounds great.
Hard to find an "old stock" guitar shop today. Most of the Mum & Pop shops are a thing of the past. Not that the big chains are all bad, some of the store staff are just excellent. But I remember the fun of discovering a black, hand painted Yamaha 6 six (yes with real brush strokes and all) hanging up for $150 (late 80's). I asked the owner "what the heck happened to this one?" and was told - "The guy was a John Cash fan & decided to paint it black" and ya, I bought it 👍
@@hogrotten6897 how cool would that be for a supper time story - "I was cleaning the counter today and in walked Duane Eddie looking for a couple packs of strings & a new capo" wow. I live in Kingston Ontario, the home town of the Tragically Hip - used to see Gord Downie (lead singer & main writer) ever once in awhile. Cool guy, so laid back you knew it was him but didn't hassle him. He's pasted now RIP Gord.
Awesome story.....this acoustic journey is wild. Cant stop for over 5 years...my upstairs room is like thorins shop. My hearts n pockets both invested. I do what keeps me smiling.
I bought my LM26 Goliath in the Spring of '63; for 38 Guineas (£39/18/-), 5 weeks' wages as a Radar mechanic in the Royal Air Force. I still have it; it's travelled many miles, Pubs, Folk Clubs and Festivals, and is now very tired. I checked out how much to refurbish it, but I couldn't afford it. I still play it a couple of times a week, just to keep my fingers moving. The best friend a guy could have.
Beauty of a guitar. Sounds great. I think I went to that shop once in 2002 on tour. I’m pretty sure I went to that place in the basement. I remember it being just jam packed with stuff. Hopefully it’s the same place. At least I remember a similar place in Amsterdam. Great story. Wow. Very cool guitar. Thanks Otis.
Otis- the bridge saddle design is made so that the bridge could be installed simply and quickly at the factory, but the intonation could be dialed in perfectly by sliding each saddle button to provide a perfect location at each string. If, as you say, these plastic slider buttons are deteriorating and deadening the sound, you should be able to remove them and take them to a machine shop and they could replicate them in a better acoustic material like cow bone, deer antler or even Corian plastic. Might be a $ 100. Or so, but it would give this are a new lease on life. Your guitar sounded pretty good in the video. I knew a buy from England in the 60's who had a similar Levin, and it too had a big sound
My first guitar was also the survivor of a fire. It was an EKO 700 4v. I got is as a kid back in 1967. Golumb's music shop in Glasgow had had a fire and many instruments had been damaged. My guitar, a solid electric, had the Lacquer on the body cracked and shrunk all over. All the electrics were OK and the guitar played fine. So, I got myself a bargain. I will never part with that guitar.
What a great story! I’ve wanted one of those since a buddy of mine bought one in the sixties! Iconic guitars with a fascinating background. Thanks for sharing & telling that so well! Much appreciated 👍
No doubt this is definately a guitar players channel and comment section. I just wanted to stick my head in the door and say : Great story. Those kind of stories just make the item we've acquired even more special in provenance. Thank you for sharing. Ok.. ya'll can get back to talkin' technical gheetar stuff.
Great story Otis. I got to play a Levin only once, a buddy got it at a pawn shop and brought it in to work at the industrial company we worked at. Played it for awhile in the parking lot. Beautiful great sounding dreadnaught heavily lacquered (I like that if done correctly). Anyway thanks for the great video and much love to ya
Thank you, Otis 🙏 Great story, history, and a beautiful guitar. Those that walk through the fire usually have the deepest stories to tell Be good to you 💛🤍
So my understanding is Levin guitars and Goya guitars are one and the same, though Goya was export to the US market, and sometimes the specs are a little dumbed down. The bulge in your trus rod cover might actually have been factory as I have seen that on cleaner examples. I currently have two Goya nylon string guitars close to me as I type this, and my dad plays a Goya classical G10 model that was his only guitar for a long time. I have a real soft spot for the brand and I'd like to collect a few of the steel string offerings as I get the chance. Martin actually lost their butts on the Levin/Goya deal! They made a D18 in a very limited run at the Levin factory but the Levin Luthiers couldn't crank out the 70s Martin duds that were being passed off and Martin eventually decided to shut it down. They had to pay the workers for 14 months due to Swedish laws and basically it really hurt Martin bad. The only thing Martin ever really made any extra money on back in those years was buying out the string company and launching Martin strings.
They are reminiscent of gibsons as well being that they have a 24.75 “ scale length. Also most Goliaths have maple back and sides. (LT3s have mahogany) Their archtops and mandolins also show that they were influenced by Gibson.
What a killer find. I love the "burned in" provenance. I'm putting it out into the Universe right now that I'm waiting to come across "my" guitar someday soon. I've been waiting long enough. It's out there looking for me; I can feel it.
I found this really interesting. I'm an aging Kiwi folkie. In 1975 my wife and went on our year's OE. I believe that I found that same shop in Amsterdam. I didn't buy a guitar. However. Somewhere around that time, I bought a Levin guitar, which think was very similar. Same type of bridge but it was sunburst. I'm not sure what eventually happened to that guitar? However I also later, bought an earlier, second hand Levin. It had a conventional bridge saddle. I still have it, but the bridge pulled off the top, taking a section of the soundboard with it. I build and repair instruments on a hobby basis. One day I'll repair it. I may have to replace the soundboard. Talking of shops. We have a very similar, but much more ordered shop, here in Wellington. New Zealand. Alistair's Music. If you ever make it to Kiwi Land. You might find it really interesting to visit this shop.
To my ears, it sounded like the best Martin I've heard. I thought Sweden's answer to expensive vintage Martin's was something new and that I could afford and buy. So much for that.
This a Levin W-36, the lowest in a line of Dreadnought made 1973 - 1977/78. The individual saddle-screws were dropped somewhere in between so later builds had traditional saddle in a slot so my assumption is Yours is from 1973-1975. I have one exactly like Yours. I like it a lot. Cool story.
Great story and super cool rig! I had a similar experience with Palm guitars. Sandra and Luc took me on my first tour in 2005. I went another time or two and then lost it. Angelo de Rijke took me to Soren's new spot about a year before he passed. Magical guy and a proper museum of interesting instruments!
I'm lucky enough to have a Levin LT18 1963 (and a few other models from the 40's and 50's). They are a great find for those of us who can't afford the Martin price tag.
I wonder if someone would carve Bone threaded replacements for the plastic and if that would work even? Beautiful cool instrument... I knew of a Acoustic bass that had been through a fire also ... it had mystique and history. Glad you saved it!
Cool story! Buddy, I applaud you for not having it cut for a full saddle...! Now, that said, I would totally install individual bone saddles in place of the plastic ones, and keep the plastic ones in a baggie, you know, just in case..., and, well, because it sounds great in your hands as it is. And hey, if you're ever in Northern Ontario, Canada, you have a place to stay, and I'll do the saddle swap gratis..!
Killer guitar mate!! 3yrs ago l was given a Levin classical, spruce top, mahogany back & sides...it rings like a bell. Laquers checked, but l don't think it was played much (64 acc to ser no).. pretty happy with it!
I can confirm that those early Levin Goliath guitars do indeed sound very good,I had a friend who had a '60's one and it sounded great.I also saw a guy (John Bryant) back in the '70's who used an Epiphone Texan which was also an older guitar and again,it sounded wonderful...................................
Some say Palm Guitars was the best guitar shop in the world. I lived nearby sorens shop on the Amstel, and saw many artists from around the world come to visit the shop.
I also own a 1965 Levin but it's an LT-18 Goliath. I've owned it since 1968 and it's held up really well, though it did need attention from a luthier a few years ago because it had become unplayable. I also own a Martin 00028, bought new about 15 years ago. I would say that the two guitars sound totally different, the Levin with its flamed maple back and sides gives a much colder, brighter tone.
What a Great Story 👍....I love to hear stuff like this !.Back on the 70s I bought a Levin Acoustic for £40.00 , IT was a great guitar but I was trained as a Classical Guitarist so Steel stringed Guitars were foreign... to me !!...Regrettably I sold it !😏.. So that was way back !!...But yeah I really enjoyed your vlog on this Awsome Guitar of yours ...Rock on Brother !!🎸🎸🎸🎸
WHOAAA..!! Otis..!! A flamin’ ..smokin’ .. cool guitar..!! I can imagine Robert Johnson at the Crossroads…just made the “Deal” with Scratch … and the guitar has flames and smoke comin off it.. and RJ is just wailin away..!! Or something like that..? heh. Cool story,man..!👍🏼❤️
My 1968 Yamaha FG-300 red label has a similar saddle set up, but theirs aren’t plastic but I think ceramic and they don’t muffle the sound whatsoever. My cousin has a mate to mine and he switched his out for a bone saddle, it doesn’t benefit the sound. You might try to find some of the Yamaha saddles just to see. Loved this story pal.
Seen a Goya s140 for sale on Facebook Marketplace thinking of getting it but dont know much about Goya Levin guitars, this one sounds way cool and just as cool
Really great sounding guitar. I can't believe you didn't negotiate for the price as you describe yourself as tight with the money. Cheers and thanks for the story.
I have a Goya T-23 sitting in my archive closet. Meaning it's waiting for me to reset the neck , finish the top and make it play just fine, someday, there are a lot of old guitars in there. The other odd thing about the Levin guitars, or at least my Goya, is that it is a bolt on neck like a Taylor. Levin's workmanship and materials were top notch but the adjustable nylon saddles were a tone killer. The ones I've converted to a regular bone saddle have been every bit as good as a Martin tone wise.
Thank you for this wonderful story and guitar. It makes sense to me that a country that is a world leader in clock making. Also make high quality guitars. Always nice to hear an American had a good experience here in Europe. I’m British the Dutch are much cooler than us. I had to subscribe to your channel off this video alone.Cheers man big love and respect from Northern England. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
@@gustafandersson4076 I’m sure your right. I need more sleep. I think because the two countries begin with SW I get them mixed up. Very different places
I have a couple of Levin/Goyas with those screw in posts. They don’t work well to change intonation and are kind-of tone-sucking. They are screw in to adjust height changes due to seasonal humidity levels. I had the bridges on both filled them rerouted (with the correct intonation) and the sound improved immensely. Twoodfrd did the work on one, as well as repairs toT18 and a 50’s mandolin. Love my Levin made instruments.
Plastic screw bridge. That should have been some kind of bone. That explains why though the woods sounded wonderful, the sustained was just not there. I originally thought that maybe it would become brighter if it were scalloped some on the inside. I never would have suspected plastic. But it still sounds good, right?❤
Lucky me, I have a Swedish made 1958 Levin, Goya M-22 and I put it equal with my Gibson LG-1 or my 1952 Martin 0-15 and it was only $400 on EBay. Martin bought the name in the 1970's and then moved Goya guitars to be built in Japan. Look for the Swedish made ones and read about how Levin learned first to make guitars in America before moving back to Sweden.
Palm Guitars was a legendary shop in Amsterdam. I’ve been there many times while passing through Amsterdam. Sorrin was always there and loved to talk about the instruments. He had a little of everything as you mentioned. I think he spent a lot of time in North Africa on instrument buying trips. I never made it to the new shop, just the one on the canal, next to a little hotel. When he died, his son took over the collection and was selling stuff for a while. Perhaps he still is. This is a youtube video with Eddie Vedder talking about Palm Guitars. th-cam.com/video/i4macufTN4A/w-d-xo.html
I just sold a 1973 Levin W32! Yes, it’s true about Martin acquiring the timber! They say the timber was sourced from the same place Stradivarius sourced their timber! Some of the tops on those guitars were over 2000 years old!
any more details as to when they were using the very old wood for the tops? been looking at levin guitars for a while now and that fact might finally make me buy one :)
@@santrixhimself3679 I’m sorry, I can’t remember where I saw it! I was in the same situation so I had to research Levin and I just remember coming across it! It definitely said that they used the same source as Stradivarius for their timbers! And it said that there’s a possibility that some of those tops were over 2000 years old! The one I had was a 1973 W32! It was lovely! Beautiful neck with an ebony fingerboard with inlays very similar to those on a Martin! Very light, and very vibrant! I swapped a classic car for it! That’s how much I like it! Hope this helps!
Thanks for such a lovely story you took me there in my mind. From the UK 🇬🇧
There are some cool photos of Sid Barrett playing a Levin Goliath. Pete Townsend had one too. Anyone else that I'm not thinking of?
Nick Drake.
I have an early `60`s Levin that I bought about 30 years ago from a woman that was 100 years old. It has aged beautifully and the wood is stunning. I keep it with a high action and strung with 13`s for playing bottleneck - - it sounds great.
It comes across real pretty in the opening of your video sounds like it has its own soul.
Very cool! Greetings from Sweden!
Hard to find an "old stock" guitar shop today. Most of the Mum & Pop shops are a thing of the past. Not that the big chains are all bad, some of the store staff are just excellent. But I remember the fun of discovering a black, hand painted Yamaha 6 six (yes with real brush strokes and all) hanging up for $150 (late 80's). I asked the owner "what the heck happened to this one?" and was told - "The guy was a John Cash fan & decided to paint it black" and ya, I bought it 👍
@James M there's a great one in NJ.
J.B.Kline Bridge St. Lambertville N.J.
@@Wingone18 if I ever happen to be that way I will certainly check it out, thanks and have a good one!
@@hogrotten6897 how cool would that be for a supper time story - "I was cleaning the counter today and in walked Duane Eddie looking for a couple packs of strings & a new capo" wow. I live in Kingston Ontario, the home town of the Tragically Hip - used to see Gord Downie (lead singer & main writer) ever once in awhile. Cool guy, so laid back you knew it was him but didn't hassle him. He's pasted now RIP Gord.
Who wouldn't like to have a guitar that has been on fire? To me it's a salespitch, not an obstacle.
Great story as always.
Awesome story.....this acoustic journey is wild. Cant stop for over 5 years...my upstairs room is like thorins shop. My hearts n pockets both invested. I do what keeps me smiling.
I bought my LM26 Goliath in the Spring of '63; for 38 Guineas (£39/18/-), 5 weeks' wages as a Radar mechanic in the Royal Air Force. I still have it; it's travelled many miles, Pubs, Folk Clubs and Festivals, and is now very tired. I checked out how much to refurbish it, but I couldn't afford it. I still play it a couple of times a week, just to keep my fingers moving. The best friend a guy could have.
Beauty of a guitar. Sounds great. I think I went to that shop once in 2002 on tour. I’m pretty sure I went to that place in the basement. I remember it being just jam packed with stuff. Hopefully it’s the same place. At least I remember a similar place in Amsterdam. Great story. Wow. Very cool guitar. Thanks Otis.
It had to be the same place! : )
Coffee with Otis, some times its just special, like this story. Thank you for sharing.
She sure sings so sweetly! I've got to share this with a friend of mine who recently retired from Martin. Thank-You for sharing with us Otis
Excellent description and information about the guitar!
Thank you so much for your always videos Otis!
Thank you, Brian!
Very interesting life Otis. I enjoy all your chapters! GOD bless!!!
Otis- the bridge saddle design is made so that the bridge could be installed simply and quickly at the factory, but the intonation could be dialed in perfectly by sliding each saddle button to provide a perfect location at each string. If, as you say, these plastic slider buttons are deteriorating and deadening the sound, you should be able to remove them and take them to a machine shop and they could replicate them in a better acoustic material like cow bone, deer antler or even Corian plastic. Might be a $ 100. Or so, but it would give this are a new lease on life. Your guitar sounded pretty good in the video. I knew a buy from England in the 60's who had a similar Levin, and it too had a big sound
I live in Gothenburg and remember the factory. I visited the repair shop that was all what was left in 1979.
The building is long gone.
My first guitar was also the survivor of a fire. It was an EKO 700 4v. I got is as a kid back in 1967. Golumb's music shop in Glasgow had had a fire and many instruments had been damaged. My guitar, a solid electric, had the Lacquer on the body cracked and shrunk all over. All the electrics were OK and the guitar played fine. So, I got myself a bargain. I will never part with that guitar.
What a great story! I’ve wanted one of those since a buddy of mine bought one in the sixties! Iconic guitars with a fascinating background. Thanks for sharing & telling that so well! Much appreciated 👍
Nice to see you playing a Levin! Some of their models where amazing! Greetings from Gothenburg!
Were*
Really love the story of this guitar. Post more videos of special guitar history! Love this content.
Beautiful Guitar my friend sounded good in opening
Thanks for history, keep original
Keep on Keeping on
What a great story Mr. Gibbs. Thank you for sharing.......
Great story. Made me smile.
You’re a lucky man
No doubt this is definately a guitar players channel and comment section. I just wanted to stick my head in the door and say : Great story. Those kind of stories just make the item we've acquired even more special in provenance. Thank you for sharing.
Ok.. ya'll can get back to talkin' technical gheetar stuff.
Great story Otis. I got to play a Levin only once, a buddy got it at a pawn shop and brought it in to work at the industrial company we worked at. Played it for awhile in the parking lot. Beautiful great sounding dreadnaught heavily lacquered (I like that if done correctly). Anyway thanks for the great video and much love to ya
Thank you, Otis 🙏
Great story, history, and a beautiful guitar.
Those that walk through the fire usually have the deepest stories to tell
Be good to you 💛🤍
So my understanding is Levin guitars and Goya guitars are one and the same, though Goya was export to the US market, and sometimes the specs are a little dumbed down. The bulge in your trus rod cover might actually have been factory as I have seen that on cleaner examples. I currently have two Goya nylon string guitars close to me as I type this, and my dad plays a Goya classical G10 model that was his only guitar for a long time. I have a real soft spot for the brand and I'd like to collect a few of the steel string offerings as I get the chance. Martin actually lost their butts on the Levin/Goya deal! They made a D18 in a very limited run at the Levin factory but the Levin Luthiers couldn't crank out the 70s Martin duds that were being passed off and Martin eventually decided to shut it down. They had to pay the workers for 14 months due to Swedish laws and basically it really hurt Martin bad. The only thing Martin ever really made any extra money on back in those years was buying out the string company and launching Martin strings.
That is a fantastic sounding guitar. Enjoy! 👍🏻
Such a cool story and history. Thanks for sharing!
Cool! A lot of swedish guitarists strummed their first chords on a Levin. The factory started to build guitars in 1900. It doesn't exist anymore.
Really great story you were a pleasure to listen to
Hello! I am a guitarist from Sweden 🇸🇪 Thanks for this interesting video.
Love the guitar. I like old things that work well, but are sort of beat up. Kinda like I am. I think you got a good buy.
AMAZING STORY OTIS! LOVE IT! I personally think if it improves the guitar get a bone saddle!
Hell yes I'd take a guitar with a fire story ! Glad you have a great guitar from Sorrin and his cool shop
Great story!! Thanks for sharing
Sounds good too. Love.
They are reminiscent of gibsons as well being that they have a 24.75 “ scale length. Also most Goliaths have maple back and sides. (LT3s have mahogany) Their archtops and mandolins also show that they were influenced by Gibson.
1972 00018 Martin is mine. I love it. Sometimes when I take it out after 2 days of not playing, it's still in tune. Unbelievable
Great story and great news thanks for sharing Ottis
Really nice! And that’s one my favorite songs you do.
An Amazing but sad back story.... really enjoyed it!
What a great story! What a cool guitar! Thank you for sharing!
Great story Otis. Love the sound of that guitar.
What a great great story behind that guitar. God put you in right place at he right time. She is now rewarding you for showing her some love.
Otis, that's a fire breathing guitar!-------------wow, great story!
Great story and I love it when a guitar finds the right home!
Such a cool story! That guitar has vibes for days
What a killer find. I love the "burned in" provenance. I'm putting it out into the Universe right now that I'm waiting to come across "my" guitar someday soon. I've been waiting long enough. It's out there looking for me; I can feel it.
Cool story about a cool guitar and cool guitar shop. Very unique bridge for sure! Love the gear story!
Used to rehearse in the old Levin factory in the 80's..still have a Levin truss rod cover that was left over...
I have a Levin W32 from 1973. It was the first guitar i bought for my own money when I was a teenager. I am very fond of my guitar!
I found this really interesting. I'm an aging Kiwi folkie. In 1975 my wife and went on our year's OE. I believe that I found that same shop in Amsterdam. I didn't buy a guitar. However. Somewhere around that time, I bought a Levin guitar, which think was very similar. Same type of bridge but it was sunburst. I'm not sure what eventually happened to that guitar? However I also later, bought an earlier, second hand Levin. It had a conventional bridge saddle. I still have it, but the bridge pulled off the top, taking a section of the soundboard with it. I build and repair instruments on a hobby basis. One day I'll repair it. I may have to replace the soundboard. Talking of shops. We have a very similar, but much more ordered shop, here in Wellington. New Zealand. Alistair's Music. If you ever make it to Kiwi Land. You might find it really interesting to visit this shop.
Great story and guitar. Thanks
Reminds me of the book by Robert Fulgum. “ It was on fire when I laid down on it”. Thanks for all that you share!
Awesome opening Otis Gibbs
Thank you!
To my ears, it sounded like the best Martin I've heard. I thought Sweden's answer to expensive vintage Martin's was something new and that I could afford and buy. So much for that.
This a Levin W-36, the lowest in a line of Dreadnought made 1973 - 1977/78. The individual saddle-screws were dropped somewhere in between so later builds had traditional saddle in a slot so my assumption is Yours is from 1973-1975. I have one exactly like Yours. I like it a lot. Cool story.
Otis, great story and that place sounded amazing. I been missing your stories of late. I know life gets in the way sometimes. Hope all is well.
Great story and super cool rig! I had a similar experience with Palm guitars. Sandra and Luc took me on my first tour in 2005. I went another time or two and then lost it. Angelo de Rijke took me to Soren's new spot about a year before he passed. Magical guy and a proper museum of interesting instruments!
Beautiful instrument
Great story! We do make some nice things in my hometown....which of course is..Göteborg/Gothenburg, Sweden...
I'm lucky enough to have a Levin LT18 1963 (and a few other models from the 40's and 50's). They are a great find for those of us who can't afford the Martin price tag.
I wonder if someone would carve Bone threaded replacements for the plastic and if that would work even?
Beautiful cool instrument... I knew of a Acoustic bass that had been through a fire also ... it had mystique and history. Glad you saved it!
Great story, love an instrument with a history. May it bring you many more years of enjoyment!
Love guitar stories, thanks for sharing it.
My Dad took me to Grit Laskins shop when I was ten. Funny what brings a memory forward.
Great story! Cool guitar.👍
I have one from 1954. It needs a neck reset and the intonation sorting out but it’s tone! Is rich and clean
Just had my 1951 reset and fully restored. Definitely worth doing.
Nice story Ottis I love the sound of it as is .
As a Swede i have a couple of Levin's guitars and mandolines. The finer models are realy good. Of course i have one from my birth year, model Texas.
Very cool story and guitar
Cool story! Buddy, I applaud you for not having it cut for a full saddle...! Now, that said, I would totally install individual bone saddles in place of the plastic ones, and keep the plastic ones in a baggie, you know, just in case..., and, well, because it sounds great in your hands as it is.
And hey, if you're ever in Northern Ontario, Canada, you have a place to stay, and I'll do the saddle swap gratis..!
Killer guitar mate!!
3yrs ago l was given a Levin classical, spruce top, mahogany back & sides...it rings like a bell. Laquers checked, but l don't think it was played much (64 acc to ser no).. pretty happy with it!
I can confirm that those early Levin Goliath guitars do indeed sound very good,I had a friend who had a '60's one and it sounded great.I also saw a guy (John Bryant) back in the '70's who used an Epiphone Texan which was also an older guitar and again,it sounded wonderful...................................
Some say Palm Guitars was the best guitar shop in the world. I lived nearby sorens shop on the Amstel, and saw many artists from around the world come to visit the shop.
I also own a 1965 Levin but it's an LT-18 Goliath. I've owned it since 1968 and it's held up really well, though it did need attention from a luthier a few years ago because it had become unplayable. I also own a Martin 00028, bought new about 15 years ago. I would say that the two guitars sound totally different, the Levin with its flamed maple back and sides gives a much colder, brighter tone.
Sorens Shop was the greatest guitar treasure trove! he inspired me to start my own store RIP
Beautiful story. 👍
What a great story, good looking instrument 👍
Cool story. Love the history.
Beautiful guitar and sounds great, very similar to my 61 J-50.
There’s one in my local guitar shop.
It’s fantastic.
What a Great Story 👍....I love to hear stuff like this !.Back on the 70s I bought a Levin Acoustic for £40.00 , IT was a great guitar but I was trained as a Classical Guitarist so Steel stringed Guitars were foreign... to me !!...Regrettably I sold it !😏.. So that was way back !!...But yeah I really enjoyed your vlog on this Awsome Guitar of yours ...Rock on Brother !!🎸🎸🎸🎸
I have a 1972 model 174 sound is incredible
WHOAAA..!! Otis..!! A flamin’ ..smokin’ .. cool guitar..!!
I can imagine Robert Johnson at the Crossroads…just made the “Deal” with Scratch … and the guitar has flames and smoke comin off it.. and RJ is just wailin away..!!
Or something like that..? heh.
Cool story,man..!👍🏼❤️
My 1968 Yamaha FG-300 red label has a similar saddle set up, but theirs aren’t plastic but I think ceramic and they don’t muffle the sound whatsoever. My cousin has a mate to mine and he switched his out for a bone saddle, it doesn’t benefit the sound. You might try to find some of the Yamaha saddles just to see. Loved this story pal.
Seen a Goya s140 for sale on Facebook Marketplace thinking of getting it but dont know much about Goya Levin guitars, this one sounds way cool and just as cool
Really great sounding guitar. I can't believe you didn't negotiate for the price as you describe yourself as tight with the money. Cheers and thanks for the story.
I have a Goya T-23 sitting in my archive closet. Meaning it's waiting for me to reset the neck , finish the top and make it play just fine, someday, there are a lot of old guitars in there. The other odd thing about the Levin guitars, or at least my Goya, is that it is a bolt on neck like a Taylor. Levin's workmanship and materials were top notch but the adjustable nylon saddles were a tone killer. The ones I've converted to a regular bone saddle have been every bit as good as a Martin tone wise.
Thank you for this wonderful story and guitar. It makes sense to me that a country that is a world leader in clock making. Also make high quality guitars. Always nice to hear an American had a good experience here in Europe. I’m British the Dutch are much cooler than us. I had to subscribe to your channel off this video alone.Cheers man big love and respect from Northern England. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Sweden is known for a lot of things but clock´s is not one of them. Think you might be thinking of Switzerland.
@@gustafandersson4076 cheers, now you mention it I realise my mistake. Sorry if I have offended you or anyone else.
@@Oooo-bi7bi I really hope people don't get offended that easy :)
@@gustafandersson4076 I’m sure your right. I need more sleep. I think because the two countries begin with SW I get them mixed up. Very different places
I have a couple of Levin/Goyas with those screw in posts. They don’t work well to change intonation and are kind-of tone-sucking. They are screw in to adjust height changes due to seasonal humidity levels. I had the bridges on both filled them rerouted (with the correct intonation) and the sound improved immensely. Twoodfrd did the work on one, as well as repairs toT18 and a 50’s mandolin. Love my Levin made instruments.
Plastic screw bridge. That should have been some kind of bone. That explains why though the woods sounded wonderful, the sustained was just not there. I originally thought that maybe it would become brighter if it were scalloped some on the inside. I never would have suspected plastic. But it still sounds good, right?❤
Sounds great for the money! I have an Aria grand auditorium (380,-)which punches high above its weight. Atkin om37 is the end all be all for me
Lucky me, I have a Swedish made 1958 Levin, Goya M-22 and I put it equal with my Gibson LG-1 or my 1952 Martin 0-15 and it was only $400 on EBay. Martin bought the name in the 1970's and then moved Goya guitars to be built in Japan. Look for the Swedish made ones and read about how Levin learned first to make guitars in America before moving back to Sweden.
Levin made some really great acoustic archtops too. They are some of the best values in the current archtop market.
Palm Guitars was a legendary shop in Amsterdam. I’ve been there many times while passing through Amsterdam. Sorrin was always there and loved to talk about the instruments. He had a little of everything as you mentioned. I think he spent a lot of time in North Africa on instrument buying trips. I never made it to the new shop, just the one on the canal, next to a little hotel. When he died, his son took over the collection and was selling stuff for a while. Perhaps he still is. This is a youtube video with Eddie Vedder talking about Palm Guitars.
th-cam.com/video/i4macufTN4A/w-d-xo.html
In England they're about 600. I have a Levin classical guitar I
got lucky on and brought very cheaply. Would love to own a steel strung Levin.