Joe Pass Unforgettable

**Sushi313** · 05-07-2023, 03:45 PM

Just started listening to Joe Pass this year. Do you know what type of guitar he used for the album Unforgettable? Nylon string possibly?

**ragman1** · 05-07-2023, 06:59 PM

We had something on this the other year. We found the guitar, the make of guitar, confirmed with the company it was used on Unforgettable (of which they were very proud), and so on. The same guitar was used for the album 'Songs For Ellen'.

The problem is I've completely forgotten what it was. I think grahambop was involved in that too so he might come up with something. I'll keep looking for you, and you keep looking too. It's there somewhere.

**Sushi313** · 05-07-2023, 08:26 PM

I appreciate it my friend. I've listening to Mr Pass everyday at home and work. Also Jim Hall!

**Jazzjourney4Eva** · 05-07-2023, 09:26 PM

Sounds like nylon to me. Sometimes not too, but…

**grahambop** · 05-08-2023, 04:34 AM

It’s definitely a nylon string, I believe he also used it on Songs for Ellen.

I did a quick google search and found a couple of references saying that Joe occasionally used a Borys nylon-string guitar, so maybe that's a possibility.

**ragman1** · 05-08-2023, 07:28 AM

Thanks, Graham, Borys it was. I seem to remember they said they didn't have any photos of Joe Pass playing their nylon guitar which is why the album cover of Unforgettable pictured him on his usual Gibson.

As Heard On — Borys Guitars

**ragman1** · 05-08-2023, 08:03 AM

And here it is :-)

**grahambop** · 05-08-2023, 08:35 AM

Some photos of a Borys nylon-string here:

Borys B-520 1987 Natural Jazz Nylon Guitar | Reverb

**ragman1** · 05-08-2023, 09:39 AM

Blimey, nearly £3 grand for that one, no electrics and second-hand. Mind you, that's a modern one, it wouldn't have been what Joe Pass used although Unforgettable came out in 1998.

Also it's shipped from the States but I shouldn't think it would add that much to the price.

**Sushi313** · 05-08-2023, 10:14 AM

Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm listening to Unforgettable at the moment

such a beautiful calming album! It seems jazz music can be played on any guitar. I believed jazz guitar had to strictly be on a Gibson type archtop. It really can be played on any guitar!

**mr. beaumont** · 05-08-2023, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Sushi313

Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm listening to Unforgettable at the moment

such a beautiful calming album! It seems jazz music can be played on any guitar. I believed jazz guitar had to strictly be on a Gibson type archtop. It really can be played on any guitar!

Definitely! It's not the arrow, it's the archer.

And nylon strings are a fantastic choice for jazz.

**Sushi313** · 05-08-2023, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Definitely! It's not the arrow, it's the archer.

And nylon strings are a fantastic choice for jazz.

Well said Mr Beaumont

**grahambop** · 05-08-2023, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by ragman1

Blimey, nearly £3 grand for that one, no electrics and second-hand. Mind you, that's a modern one, it wouldn't have been what Joe Pass used although Unforgettable came out in 1998.

Also it's shipped from the States but I shouldn't think it would add that much to the price.

Well the description says that one was made in 1987 and is the same type as used by Joe Pass and Emily Remler.

Having said that, I don’t know how accurate the seller’s information is, I don’t know much about Borys guitars.

**tbeltrans** · 05-08-2023, 11:35 AM

Here is something to consider...

These two albums: Unforgettable and Songs For Ellen are really good material for lifting from the recording. Great ear training and learning by doing/hearing. These are not too fast and just ideal for this sort of exercise. You don't have to have a nylon string guitar for this, though it probably sounds best on one.

To me, this type of ear training is much more enjoyable than traditional ear training and you end up with a bunch of tunes you can play, as well as new ideas for doing your own arrangements.

Tony

**mr. beaumont** · 05-08-2023, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by grahambop

Well the description says that one was made in 1987 and is the same type as used by Joe Pass and Emily Remler.

Having said that, I don’t know how accurate the seller’s information is, I don’t know much about Borys guitars.

Looks mean nothing, but I'm having such a hard time picturing Joe playing something so modern looking!

**ragman1** · 05-08-2023, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by grahambop

Well the description says that one was made in 1987 and is the same type as used by Joe Pass and Emily Remler.

Oops, I might be quite wrong then. Sorry, didn't see the description.

Having said that, I don’t know how accurate the seller’s information is

Quite so. Mind you, it's probably right, the whole deal looks genuine enough. But it is expensive, isn't it?

(edit)

There's a Borys for sale right here. At a mere four and a half grand* plus shipping :-)

* and .01 of a penny

Mint 2020 Borys B120

**ragman1** · 05-08-2023, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by tbeltrans

Here is something to consider...

These two albums: Unforgettable and Songs For Ellen are really good material for lifting from the recording. Great ear training and learning by doing/hearing. These are not too fast and just ideal for this sort of exercise. You don't have to have a nylon string guitar for this, though it probably sounds best on one.

To me, this type of ear training is much more enjoyable than traditional ear training and you end up with a bunch of tunes you can play, as well as new ideas for doing your own arrangements.

Tony

There are transcriptions of these tunes on YouTube. As a short cut, you understand :-)

**grahambop** · 05-08-2023, 03:20 PM

Joe also recorded a couple of tunes on the Catch Me session in 1963 which sound like nylon-string.

**tbeltrans** · 05-08-2023, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by ragman1

There are transcriptions of these tunes on YouTube. As a short cut, you understand :-)

I wasn't aware of that, but to me the value is in doing it ourselves. There would be value in comparing notes (pardon the pun...) with somebody else's transcription as long as I did the work first and then looked. Also, the quality of the other guy's transcription would have to be better than mine for it to have any value.

Thanks for the tip though. :-)

Tony