May 2022 - Edition

We made this some time ago, but other stories have pushed it back in the queue to get into the newsletter, and I can't leave it any longer!

The brief was to use the most exotic Brazilian Rosewood that I had.  That sort of instruction can be liberating but does add an extra responsibility. I have some very highly figured material, but some is so extreme that I'd be wary of its stability, and some players do question its " Musicality" as well. Fortunately, as I've said before, the Ariel is so small that I have a lot more wood to choose from, I can remove any suspect areas and small knots etc so I'm using the very best material even within the extreme colour and grain. This piece reminds me of a guitar I saw on a Segovia album sleeve many, many years ago.

The top is Yellow Cedar that came in a billet from Alaska amongst a parcel of Bracewood. It’s exceptionally fine grained and stiff, so again, the Ariel size works well, as I don't need to be scared of making it rather thinner than usual. That's a big factor in guitar making, and something where fifty or even sixty years of pushing the boundaries bit by bit counts for an awful lot.

Other details- Snakewood bindings because I'm in love with it at the moment. Paul doesn't love it as much as me, because I hand the bending over to him, I don't think my hands could deal with it now, that's the other side of the fifty years thing.   A rather pretty laminated neck, red inlay lines at all the borders and delicate Gotoh 510 tuners.

The owner is very pleased. 

Doesn't Maria have a great left hand? I wish I had those fingers. When I first heard this, I didn't like the slightly harsh E chords, but now it just reminds me of the way Nina Simone played it on Piano and I love it.

How does Maria play that bass line and sing at the same time?

Once again - why does nobody tell me when they post videos? BEN!!!! I shall be having words. This tune seems to suit that guitar perfectly, such a great sound.

Ben's website

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• Pre-owned Walnut Mandolin
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Pre-owned Walnut Mandolin

 

 

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A second-hand Walnut Touchstone mandolin, made in 2011 but in brand new condition, with case. New, this would cost £1580, I’m asking £1350 ... SOLD

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• Touchstone Mandolin
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Touchstone Mandolin

 

 

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And a brand-new Standard Model Touchstone, with some very minor defects around the soundhole. I don't think you will notice. Usually, £990, for sale at £890 plus case ... SOLD

Eric has a hobby! He is making instrument stands from recycled wood!
Eric's Website

This is fun - Hugh sent me the basic video, which Mike English has rearranged rather nicely. There are several layers of guitar in there, but of course we can see only one. The guitar is the lovely Rio Ariel that Hugh bought at Ullapool some years ago.
Hugh Burns and Danny Schogger had always wanted to work on a Latin project together, Danny suggested bringing Pete Ibsen into the mix, and when Pete played them tracks of a French girl singer he’d been working with, they knew that was the voice they were trying to find, so here is the beginning of  "Cherry Red" a fusion project of four different musical backgrounds, put together in France.

Danny Schogger. Royal Academy of Music graduate, performer, producer & songwriter/composer with credits including Celine Dion, Banarama and Worlds Apart.

Hugh Burns. World renowned guitarist has worked with an unprecedented list of recording artists include Pascal Obispo, Patricia Kass, George Michael and Gerry Rafferty. 

Peter "Neros”Ibsen. Roc Nation record-producer, songwriter and composer.  Credits include Duffy, Sugarbabes, James Blunt, L5 and N-Dubz.
"Bee-Bop". A young classically trained singer from France. 
I shall be following their progress from across the channel.

Yes, you did read that correctly. Who'd have thought?  

I have featured several videos of Heartsong before, but I didn't know about this clip with Kenny. I showed it to Alex, who had only a dim memory of Kenny, and to Paul, who had never heard of him.  What a shame. Of course, “it's all in the best possible taste”, Alex and Paul, and other youngsters, you might want to Google that. It’s a splendid video, Gordon is on form and looks incredibly happy, and what about the  drummer!!  Watch it right to the end please.

Gordons website

From Will: I’m not sure how one describes spending time with someone who’s done what Gordon has done in terms of the acoustic guitar scene. Sublime? Inspirational? All of that and more really. I’m exceptionally grateful.

From Gordon: It was great, Will is a bit special isn't he?.

From us: You are both special.

"The new London College of Music Classical Guitar Syllabus is being released in the next few days, a couple of my pieces feature in them, recorded on the Fylde Classic." 
Will's website

Something else from across the channel. I can never tire of hearing a master musician play one of "my guitars", It's like getting a big pat on the back, and it's a just reward for how much effort we all put in to our work. 

Toby will be starting an album of six string guitar music soon!!
Toby's Website

Heather is from our local area and is one of Will McNicol’s pupils.
This is another demonstration of playing a complicated piece and singing at the same time. Keep it up Heather.
Heather's Facebook Page

Here is a new belt sander that I've just about finished. It has an extra-long, ground flat bed for sanding fingerboards exactly straight. It has clever new belt tensioners, and VFD Inverter control for the belt speed. Most guitar makers have belt sanders, they are one of our most useful tools, but as with any tool, using them still requires skill. When I was at technical school, the woodwork and engineering shops were a big part of my life. I was always taught to do the job by hand, then once I had the skills, the teachers all said the same thing. "Ok, it's obvious you can do this, don’t damage your hands and waste your time doing it that way anymore". I wish I'd taken more notice of them.

A few weeks ago, we left a door open and a day later discovered that we had a non-paying guest. This little red squirrel really did not want to leave, I left a window open, and a trail of nuts leading towards it, but no, he preferred the comfort of our spare room curtain pole. Then I did my Bald Eagle impression, that moved him.

And the seagull tried very hard to join us on our holidays. He knocked on our bedroom window every morning at about 6 am. Mostly he used the V for victory signal - di di di dah, but one morning he hammered out a very passable "shave and a haircut, two bits". All true.

We seem to attract various wild animals. It's probably because I think Moira is a bit wild and Moira thinks I'm a bit of an animal.

No comments thank you.