Welcome to Life with Strings Attached. I'm your host, Jamie Gale. For this week's special biography edition of Life with Strings Attached, we're on location in Edmonton, Canada to dive deep into the story of Dion James, an extraordinary guitar maker who is helping to redefine the modern acoustic guitar. 

In this episode, Dion opens up about formative moments, the mentors who shaped him, and the subtle power of saying, "I can't." This is a portrait of a maker guided by intention, community, and the rhythm of real life. It was an honour to share this time with Dion James, and I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Find Dion's work here: 

https://dionguitars.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/dionguitars/

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

This week on Life With Strings Attached, we sit down with Reuben Forsland: Adventurer, innovator, and the luthier behind JOI Guitars. 

Reuben’s story stretches from backcountry snowboarding and near-death kiteboarding crashes to building guitars out of hempwood, carbon fiber, and even the walls of Jimi Hendrix’s childhood home. What drives him? A relentless curiosity, a hunger for challenge, and a reverence for the emotional resonance of sound. 

This episode goes beyond guitars, it’s about risk, creativity, family, identity, and the thrill of making something meaningful. Reuben doesn’t just build instruments, he builds wonder. Tune in.

Find Reuben's work here: 

https://www.joiguitars.com/

https://www.instagram.com/joiguitars/?hl=nl

https://www.facebook.com/joiguitars1/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR1bpAe8BjDS5JnGAtpepDg

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

This week on Life With Strings Attached, I’m joined once again by Omer Deutsch, founder of OD Guitars. Omer returns with insight forged under pressure, literally. Living and working in a conflict zone, he shares how humor, community, and creativity have become essential tools for coping and resilience. 

From the emotional toll of war to the deeper value of custom guitar making, Omer opens up about what it means to build something meaningful when the world around you feels uncertain. It’s raw, thoughtful, and full of humanity. I’m grateful for this conversation and I think you will be too.

Find Omer Deutsch / OD Guitars online:
 Website: https://od-guitars.com
 Instagram: https://instagram.com/od_guitars
Facebook: https://facebook.com/odguitars
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ODGuitars

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

Today’s guest is internationally acclaimed guitarist Maneli Jamal, known for his deeply expressive compositions and a playing style that fuses rhythmic complexity with emotional clarity. 

Born in Belarus to Iranian parents, Maneli’s journey spans five countries, twenty moves before the age of 18, and a lifetime of transformation through music. In this heartfelt conversation, we explore everything from the Japanese concept of Ikigai, to the evolving music industry, to personal stories of immigration, identity, and the profound loss of a beloved pet. 

Maneli shares how simplicity, curiosity, and emotional expression shape his art and how he’s turned challenges into opportunity through an entrepreneurial mindset. 

🔗 Where to find Maneli Jamal:
Website: https://www.manelijamal.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ManeliJamal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manelijamal
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SdoYdRCYxWvEiuugOerOI
Bandcamp: https://manelijamal.bandcamp.com

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

Welcome to Life With Strings Attached. In this episode, we travel to the small Bavarian town of Illertissen to meet Rainer Tausch: Guitar maker, musician, and founder of Tausch Guitars. 

Rainer’s journey began with a homemade guitar at age 13, inspired by the music of Hendrix, AC/DC, and Deep Purple. Over decades, he carved his own path through craftsmanship and tone, blending tradition with bold design choices like his signature use of pearwood and his flamenco-inspired 665 scale length. 

We talk about his roots, the vibrant community of world-class luthiers in his region, and the power of staying true to your own creative voice. Whether you’re a builder, a player, or a fan of the craft, you won’t want to miss this one.

🔗 Find Rainer Tausch online:
Website: https://www.tausch-guitars.de
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tauschguitars
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Tausch-Electric-Guitars-100063247268267

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

This episode dives deep into the legacy and future of D’Addario & Company with James D’Addario, Chairman and Director of Innovation. 

With roots in string making that stretch back centuries, Jim shares how his family’s craft evolved into a global leader through innovation, automation, and a relentless focus on quality.

Jim and I explore how string design affects musicianship, why clear communication is critical in marketing technical products, and the vital role of customer feedback in driving innovation. 

It’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship, music technology, and what it means to lead with both precision and heart.

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

Welcome to Life With Strings Attached. In this episode, we sit down with visionary guitar designer Rapolas Gražys. A creative force whose instruments are as much about storytelling and emotion as they are about sound. 

From his studio in Lithuania, Rapolas shares how a childhood steeped in art, architecture, and nature led him to craft guitars from materials as extraordinary as amber, aluminum, and bismuth crystals. We explore the parallels between cooking and creativity, the tension between function and expression, and how narrative, sustainability, and beauty are embedded in every instrument he makes. 

Rapolas reminds us that music is a language, and every guitar can speak volumes. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy. 

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

Today’s guest is Raymond Kraut, an exceptional luthier whose work blurs the lines between science, art, and soul. In this conversation, Raymond and I dive deep into the evolving craft of guitar making: from the physics of sound and the role of alternative tonewoods like desert ironwood, to the emotional and instinctual layers of artistic expression. 

This isn't just a story about guitars, it’s about listening closely: to the wood, to the music, and to yourself. Enjoy.

Find Raymond's work here:
https://krautguitars.com
https://www.instagram.com/krautguitars
https://www.facebook.com/krautguitars

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

This week on Life With Strings Attached, we dive into the remarkable story of Adriano Sérgio. An artist, musician, and luthier whose life journey is as inspiring as the guitars he creates. 

From his early days as a political refugee to military service in Portugal’s elite forces, Adriano’s path has been shaped by resilience, community, and a relentless pursuit of authenticity.

In this second special bio episode, Adriano reflects on a childhood steeped in art and music, the life lessons learned through hardship and teamwork, and the transition from performer to renowned builder of custom guitars. 

See Adriano's work:
https://www.ergonguitars.com
https://www.instagram.com/ergonguitars
https://www.facebook.com/ergonguitars

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.

Welcome to Life With Strings Attached. In this episode we sit down with master luthier Andy Manson, a maker whose work lives at the intersection of creativity, chaos, and craftsmanship.

Andy takes us on a journey through travel, food, culture, and family legacy, weaving personal stories with deep insights into guitar making, materials, and design. He shares why he prefers tactile oil finishes over high gloss, how intimacy shapes his approach to luthiery, and why the idea of luxury guitars doesn’t sit right with him.

We talk about the emotional chaos behind the creation of the mermaid guitar, the philosophy of art versus productivity, and why crafting by hand still matters in a mass-produced world. 

This one’s for the builders, the thinkers, and anyone drawn to the beauty of making something meaningful.

Find Andy's work here:
https://www.andymanson.com
https://www.instagram.com/andymansonguitars

Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached

Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase

Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon

Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.