cadam7777777
New member
Dear Soft members,
I have been really fortunate to find the time to attend the Guild of America Luthiers (GAL) Convention 2011. It is held from 20 to 24 July 2011 in Seattle-Tacoma, at the Pacific Lutheran University. Unlike NAMM, this convention dated back many years back. It was formed by a group of dedicated Luthiers in order to keep the lutherie trade alive and progressing. Instead of the commercial big brands you will find in NAMM, this convention only features fretted instruments makers which include guitar makers by default. For those who are familiar with professional guitar makers like Charles Fox, Erwin Somogyi, Bruce Petros, Mike Doolin, Carlos Everett, John Greven, Stephen Kinnaird, etc. this convention will allow you to meet them in person and also play the guitars crafted by these top-notched guitar makers.
Four days prior to the workshop, I arrived in Seattle and linked up with Jeffrey Yong. He brought me on a Luthier workshops' visit. It was extremely gratifying and rewarding for me. We have planned to visit Charles Fox, Mike Doolin and Saul Koll. With the exception of Charles Fox's workshop was flooded due to wet weather, we managed to visit to other two. All thanks to Jeffrey in making the visit possible.
Everyday, I was treated with wonderful workshops and performances. The best part was the instruments' exhibition because I could get direct access to them and their instruments. Nothing beats the in-person contact. As I am writing this post, the convention is still underway. More of the convention will be showcased in my blog after the convention has concluded. However, here're some pictures to share the excitement of this convention. If you're interested to know what it takes to build a top-notched guitar, you will be enlightened in GAL convention.
I apologize for the sloppy pictures as they were truncated. Hope it will not dampen your viewing pleasure as I wasn't too sure about linking photos from my facebook account. It will be different at my blog ... stay tune it is arriving soon ...
Here're the teaser pictures.
At Mike Doolin's place ... spent hours talking about various methods of guitar building.
Playing Mike's Harp guitar ... it was unbelievable ...
Saul Koll and me ...
Group picture ... Saul's archtops are amazing!
Jeffrey Yong exhibiting his guitars
Your beloved FMI ... in its raw form.
With Stephen Kinnaird, his guitars are very responsive.
Playing a $20K Bruce Petros' guitar.
At the Classical guitar listening session ... Edel Munoz demonstrating the many classical guitar. He is an excellent player.
At the Steel-String guitars listening session. Mike Doolin and Doug Smith. The guitars in playing is Jeffrey Yong's Tiger Myrtle.
I have been really fortunate to find the time to attend the Guild of America Luthiers (GAL) Convention 2011. It is held from 20 to 24 July 2011 in Seattle-Tacoma, at the Pacific Lutheran University. Unlike NAMM, this convention dated back many years back. It was formed by a group of dedicated Luthiers in order to keep the lutherie trade alive and progressing. Instead of the commercial big brands you will find in NAMM, this convention only features fretted instruments makers which include guitar makers by default. For those who are familiar with professional guitar makers like Charles Fox, Erwin Somogyi, Bruce Petros, Mike Doolin, Carlos Everett, John Greven, Stephen Kinnaird, etc. this convention will allow you to meet them in person and also play the guitars crafted by these top-notched guitar makers.
Four days prior to the workshop, I arrived in Seattle and linked up with Jeffrey Yong. He brought me on a Luthier workshops' visit. It was extremely gratifying and rewarding for me. We have planned to visit Charles Fox, Mike Doolin and Saul Koll. With the exception of Charles Fox's workshop was flooded due to wet weather, we managed to visit to other two. All thanks to Jeffrey in making the visit possible.
Everyday, I was treated with wonderful workshops and performances. The best part was the instruments' exhibition because I could get direct access to them and their instruments. Nothing beats the in-person contact. As I am writing this post, the convention is still underway. More of the convention will be showcased in my blog after the convention has concluded. However, here're some pictures to share the excitement of this convention. If you're interested to know what it takes to build a top-notched guitar, you will be enlightened in GAL convention.
I apologize for the sloppy pictures as they were truncated. Hope it will not dampen your viewing pleasure as I wasn't too sure about linking photos from my facebook account. It will be different at my blog ... stay tune it is arriving soon ...
Here're the teaser pictures.
At Mike Doolin's place ... spent hours talking about various methods of guitar building.
Playing Mike's Harp guitar ... it was unbelievable ...
Saul Koll and me ...
Group picture ... Saul's archtops are amazing!
Jeffrey Yong exhibiting his guitars
Your beloved FMI ... in its raw form.
With Stephen Kinnaird, his guitars are very responsive.
Playing a $20K Bruce Petros' guitar.
At the Classical guitar listening session ... Edel Munoz demonstrating the many classical guitar. He is an excellent player.
At the Steel-String guitars listening session. Mike Doolin and Doug Smith. The guitars in playing is Jeffrey Yong's Tiger Myrtle.
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