Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin

Michael Watts is a London-based guitarist deeply steeped in the custom guitar world. Michael knows how to have the "tone talk" both with guitar builders and players. For our 28th episode, Michael discusses his latest CD, gives advice on ordering a custom guitar, and shares his insights into the relationship between luthiers and musicians.

https://michaelwattsguitar.com/home

For Episode 27 of Luthier on Luthier, we sit down with Farhad Soheili, who was as self-described guitar-infatuated teenager playing and working on instruments 10 hours a day. More than 20 years later, Farhad now owns FSC guitars based in Brooklyn, New York, where he builds incredible vintage-inspired electric guitars and runs a full service repair shop. Farhad shares his insights into running a small business in a big city and how he keeps inspired. Links: https://fscinstruments.com/ http://www.fslutherie.com/

For our 26th episode of Luthier on Luthier, we sit down with veteran guitarmaker Ric McCurdy of McCurdy Guitars. Ric takes us from building guitars barefoot in Santa Barbara, California to his busy NYC shop where he now makes some of finest archtop and electric guitars around. Ric also shares his insights into voicing archtop plates and changing the resonant frequency of a guitar neck. At the end of the day, Ric sums it up like this: "If I can help a musician get their art out and play a little better, that's what I want."

Marc Beneteau has successfully navigated a career in building custom guitars since 1974. For our twenty fifth episode, Marc takes us back to his early years, talks to us about forging his own path and describes how he has remained focused and passionate about guitar building over all these years. Links: http://www.beneteauguitars.com/ http://www.foxsearchlight.com/youngatheart/

Evan Gluck runs New York Guitar Repair and is often asked to lecture on aspects of running a small business. This is a bit ironic considering that Evan claims "my profession is not to work." In fact, there are many counter-intuitive things that Evan says and it is all part of his unique perspective on guitar repair and life. Also, according to google, Evan is the best guitar repair person in the world. https://www.newyorkguitarrepair.com/

When you walk into Joe Glaser's Nashville shop, you get the sense that they can do any guitar job, or even make any guitar part, and do it at the highest caliber. Simply put, Glaser has one of the most respected repair shops in the world. For episode 22 of the podcast, Joe takes time out of his busy schedule to share his valuable insights into how he does it, from his problem solving to his people skills and how he runs his business. Glaser is a legend among Nashville's elite musicians and for good reason. Links: http://www.plek.com/en_US/home/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534655/the-feather-thief-by-kirk-wallace-johnson/9781101981610/ http://www.galloupguitars.com/northwoods-seminar.htm https://www.theblackbirdacademy.com/ https://nashville.mi.edu/

For episode 21, I sit down with Jay Lichty and Corrie Woods, the creators of Lichty guitars. Jay was a carpenter and general contractor for 30 years when he took a guitar building course with Wayne Henderson. He has not looked back since. While Jay does the building, his wife Corrie handles the website and marketing for their growing enterprise. During our talk, the duo share their story, motivations and their unique approach to business. Links http://lichtyguitars.com/ http://www.waynehenderson.org/wayne-henderson/ https://www.luthiersforacause.org/ http://www.theleaf.org/downtown/ https://theukc.org/

Harry Fleishman has been designing, building, teaching and repairing guitars for over 45 years. His guitars always push the design envelope, from his numerous one-of-a-kind handmade guitars to the anti-gravity bass he designed for Jackson. In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics including tone, his favorite amp and pickups and the source of his creative inspiration. As Harry puts it, "I want to build something I have never seen, felt, heard or played before." Links http://www.fleishmaninstruments.com/ https://www.gofundme.com/brad-nickerson-fire-relief

Jason Kostal has led a full life: He graduated from West Point, served in the Army, earned an MBA and spent time as an executive in the corporate world. When he was ready for a new challenge he took up guitarmaking and now his instruments are considered to be among the best being made today. On this month's show, Jason talks candidly about branding, customer relations and his path into lutherie. Thanks to GLUBOOST for sponsoring this episode. Links Kostalguitars.com https://gluboost.com