Archives for December 2010

David L. Peerless Imperial

Lou, I wanted to send a quick note to thank you for shipping the Peerless Imperial with the set Lollar pickup. It was packed so carefully that it was nearly in tune when I started to play it right out of the case. It is a sweet guitar, it is like an L5 Wes but […]

Bob R. D’Angelico

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. […]

Al Palen

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 […]

Nick Palen

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 […]

Jonathan Palen Performer

Hello Lou, 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 […]

Jonathan Vintage

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 […]

Anonymous Gibson L5 CES

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

Charlie Wes

Hey Lou, 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

Scott Palen

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 […]

Fred Palen

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

Bob Palen Archtop

Hello Lou, 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. […]

Perry Gibson ES-150D

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 […]

Andy C. Palen

Hello Lou, 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 […]

Mike Oria Palen

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://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 […]

Kevin Van Sant Palen

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! – Kevin Van Sant visit Kevin’s Website

Sylvain Contant Palen

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 […]