Nigel Forster started building guitars at age 17 as an apprentice with Stephen Sobell... and he stayed with Sobell for the next 15 years. Along the way, Nigel has taken some truly interesting globetrotting side trips, including studying in Buddhist monasteries. During one of those trips Nigel wrote a book titled, Making a Living in Lutherie, which is filled with both practical tips on running a shop and life advice that Nigel describes as "soft-core Buddhism." These days, Nigel is building a variety of acoustic instruments including steel strings flattops, tenor guitars, archtops, mandolins and Irish bouzoukis out of his shop in Queensland, Australia. Links: https://www.nkforsterguitars.com/ https://www.nkforsterguitars.com/books/ http://www.sobellguitars.com/ This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars.

In 1969, Frank Ford and Richard Johnston started the legendary Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, California. On episode 47 of the podcast, Ford tells us what it is like to run one of the world's premiere repair shops for over 50 years.

We hear about the early days of Gryphon (including their initial attempts to build and sell handmade instruments). Ford also talks about the store today, his philosophy on communicating with customers, his favorite repairs, and how, thanks to Dan Erlewine, he got started in teaching.

Links: https://www.gryphonstrings.com/ http://frets.com/ http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/

Nicolai Schorr makes instantly recognizable and remarkable electric guitars mostly with hand tools out of his home shop in Berlin, Germany. For episode 46 of the podcast, Nicolai takes us through the inspiration for and the development of his thoroughly original models. He also discusses his neck construction, artistic background, and his philosophy on enjoying work and the guitar building process. Links- http://schorrguitars.de/ https://www.instagram.com/schorrguitars/ This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars.

Michael Greenfield makes spectacular acoustic guitars out of his state-of-the-art shop in Montreal. For episode 45 of the podcast, he takes us through his thought process on designing multi-scale instruments for drop tunings, and the evolution of his models. Michael also discuses his journey into the profession, building for the high end custom market, final guitar voicing, and much more. Links: https://www.greenfieldguitars.com/ https://charliehunter.com/ https://andymckee.com/

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Dream Guitars.

Mike Baranik has been making extraordinary world-class acoustic guitars for decades. On episode 44 of the podcast, Mike recounts the music influences that got him interested in guitars and tells us about his studies at the Roberto-Venn school in the early '90s. Mike also talks to us about his first guitar shows, finding his identity a a luthier, meeting deadlines, re-purposing tools, and using CNCs. Lastly, we get to hear all about Mike's successful venture into electric guitars and how it compliments his acoustics. Sponsored by Dream Guitars. Links http://www.baranikguitars.com/ https://www.instagram.com/baranikguitars/ https://roberto-venn.com/

There is not much that Adam Buchwald doesn't do in the world of guitars. He owns Allied Lutherie (which he recently relocated from California to Vermont to better service East Coast builders), he builds Circle Strings guitars and is also the co-owner of the Iris Guitar and Mandolin company. For episode 43 of the podcast, Adam tells us how a once-aspiring musician and music major at the University of Vermont ended up working at Retrofret Vintage Guitars and becoming a full-time luthier with a diverse business model.

Links

https://alliedlutherie.com/

https://www.retrofret.com/

http://www.circlestrings.com/

https://www.irisguitarcompany.com/

Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman have been making some of the world's finest and most innovative guitars since their partnership began in the 1970s. For episode 42 of the podcast, I caught up with them at the 2020 NAMM show where they share their origins, give us their thoughts on Kasha designs and tonewoods, and tell us how they have been able to successfully collaborate for over 40 years. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars. Links https://kleinsbench.com/ https://www.kleinandkauffmanguitars.com/ http://www.benstrano.com/

Abe Wechter has done it all: From building guitars one-at-a-time, to running guitar factories both domestically and abroad. For Episode 41 of the podcast, Abe and I take a walk to escape the noise at the 2020 NAMM show. His story takes many twists and turns including successes and failures, corrupt business partners, heartbreak and romance. Abe's guitar story starts 40 years ago in his Paw Paw, Michigan shop and continues and stretches today to Guangzhou, China, where he's a major OEM guitar manufacturer. Link: https://www.wechterguitars.com/work

This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars.

Nik Huber comes from a long line of woodworkers, and he carries on his family trade with his team of eight employees that craft exceptionally fine traditionally influenced electric guitars. For episode 40 of the podcast, I met up with Nik at the 2020 NAMM show where he tells us how he got started under the guidance of Paul Reed Smith after finishing an apprenticeship in cabinetry. Nik also shares his views on woods, finishes and hardware and more.

This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars.

Links: https://www.nikhuber-guitars.com/index.html https://www.prsguitars.com/ https://formentera-guitars.com/ https://www.carymorin.com/ http://www.grantgordy.com/ https://www.eventbrite.com/o/keep-music-live-project-29989688540

Kathy Wingert crafts some of the best and most beautiful acoustic guitars being made today out her shop in Los Angeles. For Episode 39 of the podcast, I sit down with Kathy and talk about photographing and marketing guitars, the development and design of her models and her experience as a female in craft with an abundance of men. Kathy also tells us about her time in college studying and performing classical guitar and how she got started in luthiere with a violin maker at World of Strings music in Los Angeles. Links: http://www.wingertguitars.com/

This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars.