White vs. Clear tap plates.

[Faya]

Hey all,

I was just wondering what your opinions are about white golpeadors?

The more I play my 1957 Flamenco, the more I like the look of the white ones. They just scream out, "I'm a Flamenco Guitar!" On the other hand a nice piece of wood is great to look at.

Why did they stop using white in the first place?

All comments welcome.

LATER.

[NGiorgio]

I like the one piece clear tap plate. I think on vintage guitars like your 1957 the two piece white ones look good. I would guess that improvements in both plastics and adhesives led to the switch to clear. I seem to remember reading somewhere that early tap plates were made from very thin maple. I don't know if that is accurate.

[Faya]

Hey NGiorgio,
I think you're right about them being made from maple.

I think I recall seeing some that were black somewhere also.

LATER.

[keith]

hey faya: a 1957? (maker?)

i recall seeing a picture of diego del castor with a guitar (i do not think it is the santos that was given to him in that he passed out on top of it hours after receiving it) with the big ole honking white golpeadors with the bottom plate hooking around the bridge. pretty wild looking.

the principle reason for white plates--prior to world war 2 plastics were pretty much theoretical and nothing else was available (also franco and company probably inhibited the import of exotic materials such as abalone, etc.). the technology of world war 2 led to the development of plastics. post war 2 i suspect white wood was used for traditional reasons.

[NGiorgio]

Yeah, I've seen that photo of delGastor. Big white funky looking tap plates. On a couple of Gipsy Kings CD's they are seen with guitars that have black tap plates.

Hey Keith, did you say that you are getting Mari's direct? I have not been able to get to the Mari web site. It doesn't seem like Bill is selling singles.
I just tried the Mari trebles with Luthier 20 basses, Nice combo .....

[keith]

hey nick: mr. mari does not seem to want to joing the late 20th/early 21st century and maintain a website--he once did. i have his telephone number if you need it. i think i may order up a half dozen--with his advancing age and relationship with the family, i got this feeling mari strings may be history soon.

hey, i sent you an e-mail last week about cejilla supplies--did you get it?

[NGiorgio]

Yes, please send me Mari's number. No, I did not get the Email. Please send again. Thanks.

Which basses are you now using with the Mari trebles?

[keith]

labella 2001 med.--the classical 2001 basses as compared to the flamenco basses (same physical make up, just slightly less tension on the d string for the classicals--per labella folks).

e-mail re-sent

[Faya]

Hey keith,

1957 A. Solar Gonzalez. Lighter than a feather, Louder than a train, and in almost mint condition. It has to be the most Gypsy sounding Flamenco I've ever heard. Plays like a dream.

Later