Mike Orea playing his Palen 7-string guitar, on his AWESOME arrangement of "Yardbird Suite" for solo guitar!
Rodney Jones (right) with Louis Del Rosso, owner
of Guitars 'N Jazz
My name is Rodney Jones. I was the guitarist
on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, Showtime at the Apollo, as well as musical director for
Lena Horne and James Brown.
I am good friends with George Benson.
We drove out together
to the Classic American Guitar Show in Long Island New York
where he purchased your guitar. Both he and I thought it was
one of the most balanced and amazing instruments that we had
ever played. I would very much like to become one of your
endorsees. In addition I am a professor of Jazz Guitar Studies
at Manhattan School of Music and will expose the instrument
to many students. The bottom line is that since that show
the memory of the sound and feel of your guitar has remained
with me. You should know that Nelson
Palen is an amazing builder. Your guitars were by far
the best at the show. The have a sound and feel and life that
really enchanted me.
- Rodney Jones
Review of Palen Performer
Overall Rating: 11
I first played a Palen Jazz Performer in May 2006 at the Long Island Guitar show. I told Lou Del Rosso, owner of Guitars n Jazz, that I loved it and would order one immediately. I did. I received the guitar in September 2007. It was well worth the wait. I love this guitar.
Here's a telling comment about this guitar. I play in a quartet and have used several archtops at gigs. I showed up at a gig with the Palen and after the firts set a couple of the guys said, "Man, that thing sounds great. What is it?" The amp was the same, my playing was the same. What was different was the guitar. It caught their attention. It already had mine!
This is my second Palen. I have a 2003 Palen 7-string. So maybe I am biased. But I will tell you
this: if you haven't played a Palen, you are short changing yourself. I'd buy one if it were double the cost. Palen's are that good, folks. I am not kidding.
This guitar stands out. It's a keeper for me. What a sound.
Features: 10
One set Kent Armstrong pickup. 17" body. 1 3/4 nut width. Hidden volume and tone controls just beneath the pickguard. It has everything I wanted. I am a straight "flat" player - only like a touch of reverb.
It has all the features I need.
Sound: 15
This is what it's all about (in addition to "feel"), right? This guitar has punch, and beautiful note separation/articulation. I like punch. I think this is Palen's signature/indelible mark on a guitar. It's got some snap, too. But it can be warm and lush when you need to make a ballad cry. Just a great, great sound from this guitar.
Action/Fit/Finish: 10
I lived in New Jersey for 16 years. All I can say about action/fit/finish: "foggettabbooudddittt".
Fantastic. Nelson's attention to detail is among the best. He can rival anybody - anybody.
Reliability/Durability: 10
So far so good. It's young yet. Durability?? If you treat it right (keep it in its case when not playing,
e.g.) it'll be good to go for years. It's made so well.
Customer Support: 10
Lou's a prince. You need something, he'll work it out with you. Nelson, I am sure, if I needed a tweak or two, would fit me in.
- Mike Moss
I purchased a used Carved Palen with a floating pickup and a new Palen Performer (which is also hand carved, but has a set humbucker). So far, I have been enjoying my new amazing guitars for the past 3 weeks at home and at local gigs.
I have done the review with Harmony Central:
FEATURES:
Just play one and you will not feel you need to adjust anything.
SOUND: Absolutely brilliant. Uniformly rich and warm all across the fret board. Even the high notes sound "fat" and punchy. Very clear attack and beautiful sustain all through. The Carved Palen with the floating pickup sounds more acoustic and the Performer with the set humbucker more presence and has more of that jazz "electric" tone- though it is really a matter of taste. I love them both.
ACTION: Very smooth and playable. Though action can be adjusted, I found both my guitars to be adjusted to my personal taste
RELIABILITY: Can't tell you as I have not had them for long but so far. They remain perfectly in tune.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT:
Lou Del Rosso has been very attentative and flexible and is pretty much a straight forward man, which is extremely important to me. I have never met Nelson Palen although he was flexible enough to finish my Palen in time for me to pick it up on my trip to New York. I don’t forsee any problems from the way that everything was taken care of so far.
Overall: I am not a professional musician, but it has been more than a hobby for me. I’ve been playing guitar for over 30 years and jazz guitar during the past 6 years. I’m a big fan of the current stream of guitarists like: Peter Bernstein, Jessie Van Ruller, John Hart, Jonathan Kreisberg and Corey Christiansen to name a few of my favorites.
Naturally I am seeking to reach that beautiful sound in my playing as I study music. I’ve always thought that I needed to buy a better Gibson, maybe an expensive 50’s or 60’s model. But then I started checking what kinds of guitars my favorite player were using. The world of fine handcrafted archtop guitars is very new to me.
I traveled to New York on September 2007 just to find out what these luthiers who made expensive guitars are all about. Before this, the closest that I got to one was playing my 90’s Gibson ES175 which is OK, but really nothing close to the sound I’m hearing from all those amazing players. Before traveling, my mind was set up to buy one really fine archtop or another good laminated one for gigs (probably a 50s-60s ES175 or L5) I had less than a week but I’ve managed to check out 5 of the main archtop dealers in the NY and NJ area and I’ve tried about 60 to 70 guitars ranging from $2000 to 20,000. The only guitars that played as good as a Palen were the every expensive ones 15-20k, though I still preferred the sound of the Palen.
- Gilad L.; Nigeria
Reviewed in Harmony Central:
Features : 9
Made by Nelson Palen in 2007 after a waiting time of 17 months, this is an archtop guitar in all solid woods. The top is hand carved spruce and the back and sides are flamed maple. The floating pickup is a Kent Armstrong with thumbwheel pots for volume and tone located under the ebony pickgard.
Sound : 10
I am very impressed with its acoustic sound, I had the opportunity to try a lot of archtops here in Montréal (Montreal Guitar Show 2007) made by the world’s best luthiers Comins, Hopkins, Monteleone, Ribbecke, Manzer. Their guitars were magnificent, but none inspired me as much as the Palen guitar - the acoustic tone, the projection, the overtones are fantastic.
Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Nelson's craft work is perfect – I have a lot of guitars, and this the best one, the action and the finish are perfect.
Reliability/Durability : - -
A guitar of this style and quality requires gentle handling and care - not designed for abuse.
Customer Support : 10
Nelson Palen and Lou Del Rosso (from Guitars N' jazz) are fantastic, I'm not very good in English and both of them took time to answer all my requests.
During the progress of my guitar, Mr. Palen took time to send me a lot of pictures of my guitar.
Overall Rating : 10
Like I said this is the best guitar I have, I was dreaming about a good Jazz guitar for a long time, and now, I have a better guitar then I was expecting.
Thank you very much Nelson Palen and Lou Del Rosso.
- Sylvain Contant; Montréal, Canada
A student of mine recently got two six string Palens. One with routed
PU, one with floating. They are easily the best sounding of all the
independent luthier guitars I've heard or played. Like you said, you
hear one note and you know. Congrats and enjoy!
Recently, I took delivery of a very special custom archtop built by
Nelson Palen. His instruments are sold exclusively through Lou Del
Rosso at Guitars N Jazz (Summit, NJ)http://www.guitarsnjazz.com/ -
more about Lou later. I have read reviews from those who buy a new
guitar and are so excited about their purchase, the newness, the
anticipation, etc, their critique becomes wrought with exaggeration and
hype. On the day I received my new Palen guitar, I knew I wanted to do
just that, however, I've restrained myself for 5 months in order to
properly get acquainted with this instrument and allow it some time to
open up and tell me its story.
Almost two years ago, I switched from playing 6-string to 7-string,
which sadly rendered all my treasured archtop guitars obsolete. I
owned a Gibson ES-175, a vintage Guild X-500, an '80's Benedetto
Manhattan, and an Eastman; I knew they all had to go the first time I
plucked a low A string with my thumb...heaven! We 7-stringers are
painfully aware that the market for our instrument is so small that
shopping for a guitar is often limited to a tiny population of stringed
candidates, usually via the internet. It is thus unreasonable to
expect to walk into a music store and find even a single 7-string
archtop to play, certainly not here in northern CA.
My friend and fine NJ-area jazz guitarist, John Zweig, suggested I
check out Palen; John owns several Palens himself, and has owned scores
of fine guitars through the years, including the aforementioned
Benedetto. I knew his recommendation was solid, so I contacted Lou to
place an order. A modest deposit ($500) got me in line for a custom
Palen guitar - no more money would be due until the guitar was ready
to ship, AND it carried a full money back guarantee. Wow, that
definitely removed the risk of buying sight unseen! I sent him my
preferences, including neck dimensions, wood choices, color swatches,
etc, and then prepared to curb my excitement for the next several
months. Periodically, I would receive email updates and a photo from
Nelson Palen showing his progress. As it started to take shape, I
began to understand his commitment to quality; Nelson is a very
meticulous person and not only wants to do a job well, he is intent on
establishing reproducible protocols along the way, as if to tighten up
his process for subsequent instruments. I suspect that each batch of
Palen guitars gets better and better.
Nelson designed a unique new 7-string headstock, which I immediately
loved, as it reminded me of the graceful style of Jimmy D'Aquisto. I
asked for curly Hawaiian Koa appointments (headstock and binding), my
favorite wood from my favorite place. He was most accommodating.
Nelson even had Kent Armstrong build the exact pickup I wanted and
waited for it to arrive before constructing the guitar's X-bracing to
optimally surround the pickup routing.
Now let me say a few words about Lou Del Rosso. My business brought me
to New Jersey at one point last year, and though my free time would be
limited to a single evening, I phoned Lou, hoping to have a chance to
meet him in person. It was late, but he offered to wait for me at his
shop. I braved a severe rainstorm on the NJ turnpike and finally
arrived in Summit, NJ, where Lou patiently invited me to try every
guitar and amp he had. Lou keeps an amazing array of high end jazz
guitars on hand. I got to play several Palens, including those
personally owned by our mutual friend John (he had dropped his off
earlier that day). I only needed to play one note to know that I had
made the right decision about ordering a Palen...but I played a few
more anyway. Meeting Lou was like visiting a dear friend. He even
treated me to dinner afterward!
Fast forward to June of this year. My own Palen was completed, and Lou
sent it out for a professional set-up before shipping it to me. I
removed the case from the box and eagerly unlatched it. I was not
nervous; I already knew this would be something very special. Viola!
It looked spectacular in every way. He nailed the honey amber finish I
had requested. The flamed woods were breathtaking. The finely shaped
ebony fittings exuded a supreme level of quality. The frets were
precisely crowned and polished. I tuned it up and played the first
chord. This guitar was alive. The acoustic sound was big and
pleasing. I immediately perceived the qualities that set this one
apart from other guitars I have known: a long and pleasing sustain, and
an incredible sensitivity to even the most lightly plucked note.
Amplified, it likewise did not fail to impress, as I heard the very
sound I had been hearing in my head; it was pleasantly warm and mellow
with a clear attack.
I have been selectively gigging with my Palen 7, dubbed by Nelson,
"The Koa Konstrictor", and am very happy to own it.
Here she is!
I just got my Palen this afternoon shortly before having to go to work. After opening the case my jaw dropped in amazement of its sheer beauty...the meticulous detail, fine grain, gorgeous finish, and so light! Then I played it and was blown away by its wonderful tone. The top is so responsive (just what I wanted from a floating pick-up), and plugged in it has a rich, full tone. When I got home tonight I was able to play it some more, and the more I played it the better it got.
I think I'll be digging into the tonal depths of this guitar for years. Also, there were so many finish choices that I wasn't sure which to choose, but this is beautiful!
The light golden brown is so tasteful and it really highlights the wood grain.
Thanks for your help in getting this guitar, and please let Mr. Palen know how much I'm amazed by his craftsmanship!
thank you, Andy C. Hamburg, NY 2007
Dear Lou,
Thanks for making the ES-150D available to me. It's a
keeper!
One of my favorite teachers, Remo Palmier, played a custom
version, (black finish, 1 3/4" nut width) of this instrument.
I've always had an eye out for one. Remo passed away recently,
and it means a lot to me to have this guitar to play his music
on.
Each and every day I play the Palen Archtop and think, there
can't be a better sounding guitar. I like the sunburst picture.
It seems a little more subtle then the sunburst I saw before.
Did you have a new crop come in? I don't think I'll even bother
playing my JS anymore. We'll have to talk about another Palen.
Keep in touch, Bob
Hello Lou,
Just a sincere thank you. Everything that you said about the
Palen, the resonance, the overtones, the fullness, the D'Angelico
like acoustic tone are all true. Some day I would like to
meet the fella that sold me the best archtop that I have ever
played!
Thanks, Fred, Oakland, CA
Hey Lou,
I know that I called you many times for info on archtops.
Most of the archtops that I purchased out here, were pretty
true to your comments. But when you sent me the Palen, the
tone just blue all the others away. Just like you told me
it would. What am I supposed to do with all those other archtops?
Only Kidding. I just keep on playing the Palen.
This is the L5 guy. That 93 Wes you sold me is unbelievable.
The price was great too. Please send me a list of what you
have. You know what I like.
Thanks, Charlie, South Jersey
Hello Lou, I met you at the Phlly show. I am so happy with the
L5 CES that I purchased at the show. Just wanted to let you
know that I'll be looking for another one in Nov.
Thanks, Anonymous
Hello Lou,
I'll be looking for you at the Long Island Show next year.
I don't know if I'll ever find a better playing archtop than
the JS that you got from the Berkeley grad. But I had so much
fun this May, I may come down to help you out if you let me
play those great guitars.
When I found out that you now have a showroom, I had to come down and play every one of the 100 archtops that you have on display. That 1972 Jimmy D’Aquisto New Yorker was unquestionably the best archtop that I have ever played. And since you wouldn’t accept all my vintage Gibsons for that DA, I did the next best thing. I ordered a Palen Performer which is now the 2nd best archtop that I have ever played!
thanks, Jonathan 2007
Hey Lou,
I can believe that I spent 3 hours on the L.I.Expressway
to meet somebody who lives 15 minutes from my house. The good
news is that you sold me the best archtop I have ever played.
I knew that I was going to buy it the minute that I picked
it up. I knew that this was the one. It just keeps sounding
better and better. I spoke to Nelson about "bunny",
I already named her. She goes to all the gigs with me. Let's
get together and play.
Thanks, Nick, Pittsburg PA
Lou,
After returning from my 5 day excursion to find the perfect
archtop, it's a no brainer! I must have played 200 fine archtops.
I had the will power not to buy any, until I got back to Ohio.
The Palen wins on tone, weight, responsiveness, and amazingly
price. The workmanship is great too. The only other guitars
that compared were over $10,000. You had some of the finest
guitars that I had the opportunity to play, especially the
ones not listed on your site. I'll take the Palen sunburst
that I played. I can't wait to take the Palen to play with
the 17 piece jazz group.
Thanks, Al Ohio
Hello Lou,
I hope that you or one of your clients is enjoying that
DA Excell that you purchased from me. You really educated
me on archtops. You were extremely accommodating to my needs.
I am waiting for the next Palen. I may also have a couple
more guitars to trade or sell you outright.
