Don’t get me wrong … I am all for the new innovations that private luthiers are incorporating into their guitars these days. Bring on all of the built-in bevels … put as many ports as you can possibly squeeze in and inlay it to within an inch of its life … I LOVE that kind of creativity and forward movement in the evolution of my musical instrument of choice. But I have to admit it is also nice to see a veteran builder make an instrument that quietly stands on its own … to be judged as a musical tool based solely on sound & playability.
MORE →Alexander James is without a doubt one of the most talented young luthiers I have ever met. Based out of Peterborough Ontario, Alexander builds exquisitely well crafted electric guitars, 100% by hand. His passion for wood selection can be seen by taking a glance at any of his instruments. They really are works of art.
MORE →Southern Ontario has truly become an international hot-spot for premier guitar builders! Today, we are featuring another example of the incredible work being done by local builders: the Hart SJ-RW. This “small jumbo” guitar is the work of Joe Hart, from Guelph Ontario. The quality of Hart’s work is instantly apparent. Squeaky-clean neck joint, meticulous binding work, smooth finishing, refined bracing, and excellent fret work. Oh, and it just happens to sound fantastic! Beautifully clear articulation and balance, with a nice smooth sustain.
MORE →There’s nothing quite like the elegance and “no nonsense” simplicity of a nice Tele. Especially when you are holding one as wonderfully made as Alastair Miller’s latest Barncaster guitar! Using a piece of 150-year-old Pine, Miller has gone with a 1 9/16″ body depth, making the guitar feel more streamlined than a standard Tele. It also helps make the guitar very lightweight, at just over 6.2 lbs! The bridge pickup is taken from a 50’s Fender Lap Steel, and the neck pickup is custom wound by Miller himself. The neck is carved into a beautiful Fender 50’s “U” profile, with a vintage 3-brass-saddle bridge and “relic” niro finish completing the package. This guitar absolutely screams mojo from top to bottom. Well done Mr. Miller!
MORE →In 2010, the Fender Jazz Bass celebrated its 50th birthday! To mark this historic occasion, Fender has produced this special limited edition 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass. A mix of classic and modern design elements, this 50th Anniversary model is like a Jazz Bass “Greatest Hits Collection”. With it’s 60’s style Candy Apple Red nitro finish, 70s era pickup spacing and thumb rest, and modern era machine heads and truss rod, this guitar takes the best elements of the Jazz bass from the past 50 years and melds them into one fantastic instrument!
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