Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin
Every month, luthier Michael Bashkin interviews some of his favorite fellow guitar builders, makers and creatives on the Luthier on Luthier podcast. Acoustic, electric, flattop, archtop and everything in-between... brought to you by the Fretboard Journal
Episodes
On Episode 104 of the podcast, I talk with Michael Sankey, a wildly creative guitar maker from Ottawa. Michael's work combines old-school methods like hand tools and hide glue with futuristic elements like 3D-printed metal parts.
We get into how he balances tradition with innovation—and why he builds guitars based on his own ideas, not just what the market expects. https://www.sankeyguitars.com/
For episode 103 of the podcast, we speak with legendary guitar maker Andy Manson.
Andy shares stories from his early days of building and tells us about his commitment to traditional construction techniques and how his craft has evolved over the years. Andy also discusses some of his most iconic instruments, how his approach has shifted with age, and the benefits of Thai massage.
For episode 102 of the podcast, I talk with Michel Pellerin, an inspiring guitar maker from Québec.
Michel shares his journey, from teaching guitarmaking at lutherie schools to his time at the Godin factory, to developing and teaching his own advanced finishing course.
We also dive into his current line of guitars — from parlor to harp — and how he continues to evolve his work through collaboration with musicians and colleagues.
Mi...
For episode 100 of the podcast, I talk with the legendary Jim Olson.
Jim should need little introduction to most Luthier on Luthier listeners. His guitars have been played and cherished by artists including James Taylor (you can even spot the trademark headstock "O" during Taylor's appearance on the Simpsons), Paul Simon, Phil Keaggy, Zac Brown and Patty Larkin.
Though he creates some of the most valuable flattop guitars around, hi...
Maegan Wells is known for her beautifully crafted archtop guitars and mandolins made in her one-person shop in Northern California.
For episode 99 of the podcast, Meagan shares her guitar-making journey, starting with attending Bryan Galloup's Galloup School of Guitar Making and Guitar Repair, followed by apprenticeships, side jobs, and a stint at LMI. Meagan also discusses her views on smaller archtop guitars, contrasting sides, a...
For episode 98 of the podcast, I am joined by renowned classical guitar maker Gary Southwell. Based on the banks of the River Rede in Northumberland, England, Southwell has been building instruments since 1983.
Gary and I talk about the unique characteristics of Bog Oak, the history and influence of 19th-century Viennese guitars, his interactions with Julian Bream, and some reflections on 50 years of guitar making. https://www.so...
Max Monterosso builds beautifully detailed steel string guitars, harp and electric guitars out of his one-person shop in the Veneto region of Italy.
For episode 97 of the podcast, I caught up with Max at the Acoustic Guitar Village Show in Cremona, Italy this past October.
https://www.instagram.com/maxmonte_guitars/
Max shares insights from building harp and steel string guitars, his thoughts on 3D pr...
At the show, Cris Mirabella, Tyler Wells, and Maegan Wells each presented their guitars to the new Blue Guitars Collection.
Episode 94 of the podcast is a live interview at the 2024 Fretboard Summit with the incredible Michael Millard of Froggy Bottom Guitars.
Michael has over 50 years of guitar-building experience. In 1970, he spent four years working with Gurian Guitars before launching Froggy Bottom. He shares with us lessons learned from customer interactions, guitars, martial arts and much more.
Guitarmaker Mark Blanchard has a background in machining, a skill he learned at a young age from his dad. These days, he uses his metal-working skills to not only make his own excellent truss rods but also a CNC lathe and many of his own tools, including chisels and planes. Mark does all this out of his one-person shop, located in the mountains of California making highly collectible and outstanding guitars.
For Episode 92 of the p...
For episode 88 of the podcast, Mathias and Matthew discuss how they developed their visual style and the voice of their guitars. They also share their thoughts on the division of labor in the shop, their time working in Marc Maingard's shop, planning inlays, and the pros and cons ...
Joe Zon of Zon Guitars has been pushing the limits of bass building with phenomenal results since the early 1980s. For episode 87 of the podcast, Joe explains his theory and the construction of all-composite necks and how they are used to enhance the sounds of the wood.
Joe also discusses his collaboration with Bartolini pickups, active versus passive electronics, bolt-on versus neck-through construction, and why the Hyperbass is a...
Aluminati Guitars offers innovative, environmentally friendly, and beautifully designed guitars built in Asheville, North Carolina. For episode 86 of the podcast, I sit down with the company's founder, James Little.
James tells us about the aluminum, carbon fiber and Lucite components used to make their complete instruments, OEM necks, and off-the-shelf parts. He also shares with us how the company got started, how the bike indust...
Al Beardsell makes beautifully designed and crafted guitars in Winnipeg, Canada. Al started building as a musician because he could not find, or in some cases, afford the kind of guitars he wanted to play.
For episode 85 of the podcast, Al shares with us his thoughts on engineered sides, electric acoustic hybrids, making pickups, and much more. Finally, Al discusses why he thinks guitar making was the only career path for him a...
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