Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin

Every month, luthier Michael Bashkin interviews his peers and guitar building heroes for the Luthier on Luthier podcast. Brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine.

88. Casimi Guitars 03/27/2024

88. Casimi Guitars Lifelong friends Mathias Roux and Matthew Rice make visually stunning and beautifully executed Casimi Guitars out of their shop in South Africa. For episode 88 of the podcast, Mathias and Matthew discuss how they developed their visual style and the voice of their guitars. They also share their thoughts on the division of labor in the shop, their time working in Marc Maingard's shop, planning inlays, and the pros and cons of making guitars in South Africa. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by and . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/30567973

87. Joe Zon (Zon Guitars) 02/27/2024

87. Joe Zon (Zon Guitars) Joe Zon of Zon Guitars has been pushing the limits of bass building with phenomenal results since the early 1980s. For episode 87 of the podcast, Joe explains his theory and the construction of all-composite necks and how they are used to enhance the sounds of the wood. Joe also discusses his collaboration with Bartolini pickups, active versus passive electronics, bolt-on versus neck-through construction, and why the Hyperbass is a misunderstood instrument. Finally, Joe shares a few stories about his time making basses for legendary musician Rick James. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by and . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/30127013

86: Aluminati Guitar Company 01/30/2024

86: Aluminati Guitar Company Aluminati Guitars offers innovative, environmentally friendly, and beautifully designed guitars built in Asheville, North Carolina. For episode 86 of the podcast, I sit down with the company's founder, James Little. James tells us about the aluminum, carbon fiber and Lucite components used to make their complete instruments, OEM necks, and off-the-shelf parts. He also shares with us how the company got started, how the bike industry helped their fabrication, some new projects, and his plans for the future. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/29717768

85. Al Beardsell 12/28/2023

85. Al Beardsell Al Beardsell makes beautifully designed and crafted guitars in Winnipeg, Canada. Al started building as a musician because he could not find, or in some cases, afford the kind of guitars he wanted to play. For episode 85 of the podcast, Al shares with us his thoughts on engineered sides, electric acoustic hybrids, making pickups, and much more. Finally, Al discusses why he thinks guitar making was the only career path for him and how he recently came to this understanding. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/29260163

84. Cristian Mirabella 11/28/2023

84. Cristian Mirabella Cris Mirabella (Mirabella Guitars) makes stunning archtop and electric guitars from his workshop on Long Island. For episode 84 of the podcast, Cris gives us a mini masterclass on New York archtop guitar history. We hear about the origins of Jimmy D’Angelico, Jimmy D’Aquisto, and Vincent DiSerio and how they are all intertwined. Then, Cris shares with us his own personal story of becoming one of the world’s best archtop guitar makers and how sometimes beautiful things can arise from tragic events. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/28818653

83. James Condino 10/30/2023

83. James Condino James Condino builds and repairs guitars, mandolins and standup basses in Asheville, NC. And he plays all of them! For episode 83, James shares with us some commonalities and differences of all the instruments he works on, his business philosophy and the importance of playing music to his craft. Links: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/28464212

82. Richard Hoover (Santa Cruz Guitar Co.) 09/27/2023

82. Richard Hoover (Santa Cruz Guitar Co.) Richard Hoover is the founder of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company, which has been a leader in the world of boutique acoustic guitars since 1976. For episode 82 of the podcast, recorded live at the 2023 Fretboard Summit, Richard shares his guiding principles, thoughts on running a company, selecting materials, and much more. Links: (GoFundMe for luthier Joel Wilkens) Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/28159229

81. Nic Delisle (Island Instruments) 08/30/2023

81. Nic Delisle (Island Instruments) Island Instruments' Nic Delisle makes a wide variety of incredible and innovative guitars out of his Montreal workshop. For episode 81 of the podcast, Nic tells us all about the construction and origins of his new archtop double-top model. We also talk about the guitar co-op he operates out of, his milk paint finishes, his aluminum-neck basses, and more. Link: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/27895818

80. Larry Fitzgerald 07/28/2023

80. Larry Fitzgerald Larry Fitzgerald is considered one of the world’s top guitar repairmen. As a teenager, Larry was often hanging around NYC’s famous guitar shops on 48th Street. After a year at the Berklee College of Music, he worked at Rudy’s doing repairs and eventually assisted John Suhr in making the renowned Pensa/Suhr guitars. Larry then worked at Mandolin Brothers before opening up his own shop. For episode 80 of the podcast, he shares his thoughts on fretting, neck angles and so much more. Larry also tells us how it all got started thanks to some sage advice from his grandfather. Link: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . Want to support Luthier on Luthier? . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/27594027

79. Mitsuhiro Uchida 06/28/2023

79. Mitsuhiro Uchida Support Luthier on Luthier with our new Patreon page: You may not know the name Mitsuhiro Uchida, but you should. Mitsuhiro is a national treasure of Japan and has influenced makers like Michi Matsuda and Isaac Jang, who join me for today's podcast. Uchida-san started his international lutherie journey working for guitar companies in Japan and then moved to Germany to do repairs before working at Lowden Guitars in Ireland. In the 1990s, he moved back to Japan to set up shop on a remote mountainside where he builds incredible one-of-a-kind creations. For episode 79 of the podcast, Uchida-san tells us his story and his philosophy of guitar making. Links: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/27314013

78. Keisuke Nishi (Keystone Guitars) 05/30/2023

78. Keisuke Nishi (Keystone Guitars) This month's podcast features one of my favorite builders, Keisuke Nishi of Keystone Guitars. Keisuke went to luthier school in both Japan and the US, worked for First Act, and then did an apprenticeship with acclaimed guitarmaker Mario Beauregard. For episode 78 of the podcast, Keisuke compares his educational experiences and discusses how he was eventually able to start his own shop in Tokyo. He also shares his thoughts on design, the luthier scene in Japan, and much more. Links: Love Luthier on Luthier? Support it via our new Patreon page: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/26992128

77. Joshia de Jonge 05/02/2023

77. Joshia de Jonge Joshia de Jonge builds world-renowned classical guitars out of her one-person shop in Western Quebec. Joshia grew up in a famed guitar-building family and was helping her dad, Sergei, build and teach guitarmaking while she was still a teenager. For episode 77 of the podcast, Joshia tells us when she decided to make lutherie her full-time profession and why she now focuses on nylon-string creations. We also talk about double tops, tornavoz, side ports, laminations and much more. Link: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by , , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/26714298

76. Dick Boak 03/29/2023

76. Dick Boak Dick Boak started as a draftsman at Martin guitars and stayed for 42 years taking on numerous roles at the company, including Director of the Martin Museum and Archives; Director of Advertising and Artist Models; Guitar Designer, Founder of the 1833 Shop; and more. For episode 76 of the podcast, Dick tells us about his first attempt at guitarmaking, the influence of the Whole Earth Catalog, and how he ended up Martin, thanks to some enterprising dumpster diving. We also talk about how his role at Martin changed over the years, what it's like to collaborate with well-known artists on signature models, and how Martin as a company has changed over the decades. Lastly, we hear about Dick's other pursuits and passions as an artist, solo luthier, author, poet, musician, teacher and archivist for none other than Mario Andretti. Link: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by (check out their new Gruhn Guitars blend), , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/26374599

75. Tim Frick 02/25/2023

75. Tim Frick From a young age, Tim Frick knew that he wanted to make instruments. As a teenager, he began building basses for himself. He'd eventually take a class with famed archtop guitarmaker Tom Ribbecke, work at Gary Brawer's repair shop in San Francisco, and then spend years alongside lutherie legend Frank Ford at Gryphon Guitars in Palo Alto, California. These days, Frick is based in Portland, Oregon, where he repairs guitars and builds his own archtop guitar creations. For episode 75 of the podcast, Tim tells us about his journey, why he uses mostly hand tools, and his thoughts on voicing archtops. We also talk Japanese hand tools and much more. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by (check out their new Gruhn Guitars blend), , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/26039316

74. Larry Robinson 01/30/2023

74. Larry Robinson Legendary inlay artist Larry Robinson has been adorning guitars with jaw-dropping inlays for over 40 years. For episode 74 of the podcast, Larry discusses the creative and the technical side of inlay work and working with directly with guitar builders and players. Larry also shares his experience working on the Millionth Martin guitar, as well as other now-famous inlay projects. We also hear about Larry’s first jobs in lutherie, his books and instructional materials, and how he sources his raw materials. Link: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by (check out their new Gruhn Guitars blend), , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/25768743

73. Michael Watts 01/02/2023

73. Michael Watts Guitarist Michael Watts is back for episode 73 of the podcast. Michael recounts the history of Scott Chinery’s famous Blue guitar collection and how it led to his new gig working for the Archtop Foundation. Michael also shares with us his views on flattop vs. archtop guitars, his experience with online gigs during Covid lockdowns, previews all his latest projects, including a new podcast he's hosting for the Fretboard Journal (Life on the Fretboard with Michael Watts), and, finally, his finest cure for jetlag. Links: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by (check out their new Gruhn Guitars blend) and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/25483338

72. Bryan Galloup 11/28/2022

72. Bryan Galloup Bryan Galloup started out as a tool and die maker and now runs one of the largest lutherie schools in the US, in addition to making his own line of highly-coveted acoustic guitars. For episode 72 of the podcast, Bryan tells us about his background before making musical instruments, the path that led to the development of his wood grading system, and his views on voicing guitars. We also discuss running a school and what it's like to collaborate with his former students. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/25154850

71. Max Krimmel 10/26/2022

71. Max Krimmel For his entire life, Max Krimmel has dedicated himself to two paths: Making and music. Though Max stopped building guitars in 1983, he went on to craft dulcimers and marimbas and create turned alabaster pieces, some of which are on display in the Smithsonian. For episode 71 of the podcast, I sit down with Max in his Nederland, Colorado studio to hear his thoughts on being an independent guitar maker in the '60s and 1970s. We talk about his very last guitar, Kasha bracing, and the transition he made to making other instruments and crafts. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the . This episode is sponsored by and . Luthiers for a Cause: /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/24802941

70. Michael Gurian 09/28/2022

70. Michael Gurian Michael Gurian started building guitars in the early 1960s and then founded the Gurian Guitar Company. He’d go on to create one of the first successful boutique steel string guitar companies of the modern era, with clients ranging from Paul Simon and Jackson Browne to Pierre Bensusan. Michael has also consulted with major guitar companies and eventually became a supplier for wood, materials, and tools used by other makers. Now retired, he's building instruments, by-hand, once again. For episode 70 of Luthier on Luthier, recorded live at the 2022 Chicago Fretboard Summit, Michael recounts some of his accomplishments and setbacks. He also shares his thoughts on running a business to starting in lutherie today and much more. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars. This episode is sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/24519564

69. James Roadman 08/30/2022

69. James Roadman San Antonio’s James Roadman is not only a top-notch repair person but also the maker behind some incredible tooling for luthiers. For Episode 69 of the podcast, James tells us how he went from making his own drum set to repairing guitars. He also covers all his machine shop tools and how he uses them in both repair and machining. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars. This episode is sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/24214227

68. Eric Schoenberg 07/29/2022

68. Eric Schoenberg Musician, vintage instrument expert, and guitar dealer Eric Schoenberg is largely responsible for the resurgence of OM-size guitars. In the early 1970s, Eric worked with the Martin guitar company to start making OM guitars based on their own late 1920s and early 1930s designs. The project at times also included names we all know such as Dana Bourgeois, TJ Thompson, Julius Borges, John Slobod, Bruce Sexauer, Robert Anderson, Randall “Sparky” Kramer, and others. For Episode 68 of the podcast, we hear the history of Eric's path as a professional player, guitar designer, and retailer, and his thoughts on OM's, 12 fret vs 14 frets guitars, and much more. Link: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars. This episode is sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/23896095

67. Les Godfrey 06/29/2022

67. Les Godfrey Les Godfrey makes world-class electric guitars and basses known for their unique style out of his one-person shop in Kingston, Canada. For episode 67 of the podcast, Les dives deep into his thoughts on design and the role of instrument making in his life. We also hear about his time working in Carl Thompson’s shop, his time as a touring musician, and how he started making guitars. Link: Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars. This episode is sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/23579183

66. Dusty Gregg 05/29/2022

66. Dusty Gregg Dusty Gregg spent years as a professional touring guitarist and road tech before starting his own line of guitars. For episode 66 of the podcast, Dusty tells us about how his time on the road serving professional musicians influenced his guitar designs. He also shares his thoughts on winding pickups, pickup magnets, carbon fiber, and much more. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars. This episode is sponsored by , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/23260307

65. Doug Proper 04/26/2022

65. Doug Proper Doug and Sharon Proper own and operate Guitar Specialist, one of the top repair shops in the country. Doug started out with ambitions of becoming a professional jazz guitarist and began repairing guitars to help pay for his music studies in college. For our 65th episode of the podcast, Doug tells us about approaching lutherie as a sound financial business and his philosophy on pricing and customer relations. We also talk about some of Doug's favorite tool, least favorite jobs, and much more. Hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars. This episode is sponsored by , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/22917446

64. Bruce Sexauer 03/28/2022

64. Bruce Sexauer Veteran luthier Bruce Sexauer has been building guitars for over 50 years. For episode 64 of the podcast, Bruce tells us about his moldless method of construction, his oil varnish finish, and his collaborations with Eric Schoenberg. Bruce also shares is thoughts on the relationship between function and beauty in his guitars and how this relates to personal growth. This episode is sponsored by , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/22596125

63. Retrograde Guitars 02/28/2022

63. Retrograde Guitars Glenn Nichols of Retrograde Guitars builds instruments inspired by the catalog guitars of the 1940s and '50s. For episode 63 of the podcast, he tells us how he is re-imagining laminated tops and how he treats them as acoustically tunable plates. He also shares how, after getting a degree in art, he ended up working for Santa Cruz guitars and luthiers Kenny Hill and Bill Tippin. We also talk about the spirit varnish he uses on all his guitars, his wood choices and more. This episode is sponsored by , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/22284467

62. João Cassias 01/27/2022

62. João Cassias João Cassias makes electric, acoustic, and archtop guitars out of his three-person shop in São Paulo, Brazil. For Episode 62 of the podcast, João tells us how he got bit by the luthierie bug and about his early guitar studies in São Paulo. He recounts how, with the support of his family, he was able to come to the US to attend the Galloup school and spend time at Ervin Somogyi and Tom Ribbecke’s shops. João shares stories and lessons from each of those experiences and tells us why the archtop guitar is his favorite. This episode is sponsored by , and . /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/21925484

61. David Russell Young 12/28/2021

61. David Russell Young David Russell Young has been making violin bows for over 30 years, but before that he was a guitarmaker. And, in 1975, David published The Steel String Guitar: Construction and Repair, one of the few books on guitarmaking at the time. It would go on to inspire countless builders. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/21618476

60. Shelley Park 11/29/2021

60. Shelley Park Shelley Park builds some of the finest guitars in the Selmer-Maccaferri tradition out of her one-person shop in Vancouver. For Episode 60 of the podcast, Shelley discusses the structure, sound and setup of Maccaferri-style guitars, and tells us about her cylinder-top guitar based on a 1920s Vega model. Shelley also talks about business challenges, views on social media, her favorite tools, and much more. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/21313556

59: Tim Kill 10/28/2021

59: Tim Kill Australia's Tim Kill started building guitars as a teenager in his grandfather's workshop. He then went on to travel the world before returning home to play bass in bands, study classical guitar building, and double bass restoration, repair and construction. Today, Tim builds a wide variety of instruments including stick basses, Indian classical slide guitars and Weissenborns. /episode/index/show/luthieronluthier/id/20972507

Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin

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