Hi Michael, Great to hear you are still going strong. We met many years ago, at your N.H. factory, somewhere around the early 70,s, and both lost the end of our left index finger (the worst one !) in a wood planer in the same month ! yours in N.H. and mine making banjos in Putney V.T. It finished my banjo playing with Arwen Mountain Stringband, but I thing they were glad to be shot of my ultra traditional leanings :) T,is an ill wind that blows no-one any good ! Now playing Irish fiddle in steamy Bangkok but loving it. Best regards and keep going ! Dick McBroom.
I bought my first Gurian, a JM, in 1975 or 76 from Matt Umanov's shop in NYC. I played every guitar in his shop, and this one grabbed me. It is still my main guitar, though I have a number of other Gurians now, and other brands, too. This is the absolute best guitar I've ever played. Wonderful video!!!
Great guy... Huge respect for Mr. Gurian and his folks. I couldn't be prouder to use his decorative inlay. They're the best in the world at what they do and I never have to worry whether the materials are legal or top quality or whether the people doing the work are safe. Shell dust is dangerous. My wife and I agreed I'd never cut it by hand, and yet I couldn't in good conscience shop it out without knowing it would be done well and safely. As people - as a company - they're brilliant.
I bought my first Gurian JR Guitar in 1975 from Bill Lewis Music in Vancouver, B.C. This was my main guitar until two years ago when I bought a very nice Duncan Africa OM. It's sitting in my studio in the original case and though a little worn it's still holding up pretty well. Thanks Michael Gurian for all the time I was able to spend with a good solid instrument. My friend has a very nice older Brazilian Rosewood model and many times we have performed the Gurian Jumbo Duets. Yes I'm sure there are many folks out their who have wished Michael would start making guitars again before he leaves the planet. I seem to recall paying about $600 CAD and the case was $125. Good tools always pay for themselves in the end. Thanks Michael Gurian!
It's wonderful to hear Bill Lewis' name...I was a dear friend of his and he introduced me to Michael Gurian, who is also a good friend. I'm sure you are aware that Bill passed away 20 years ago ...I miss him.
Now (January 2022) ten years on from this video, I wonder how Michael is doing as I pick my 1977 S3R3H. In all that time it's had one go-over (fret leveling, nut and saddle) about six years ago and it plays great. I'm going to have a luthier look at it again soon to see if it still gets a clean bill of health, and if not, I'll most likely do what he says it needs. When I bought the Gurian at Terminal Music on 48th Street in Manhattan I sat there until closing time playing the Gurian against a Martin. At that time I didn't know enough about guitars for me to remember now which Martin I played. Probably a 00 or 000? They were priced the same, $600, as the S3R3H, a finely appointed model with gold plated tuners and three-piece Indian rosewood back and rosewood sides. Plenty of herringbone binding throughout. Ebony fretboard. Lots of volume for a little instrument. Sonority, articulation of the strings, harmonics signing out of the rosewood, and tons of sustain. Perfect for finger picking. There was just something about the Gurian, and it's been mine ever since. Yes, I wish Michael had gotten up a head of steam to try a third time. The world would have more Gurians. But I can richly imagine how he might have wanted to just kick back after such upheavals. I wish him well. Anyway, my S3R3H is a thing of beauty, and a joy forever.
Nothing beats a Gurian. I have been playing a J-R fipr decades and just purchased a J-M. I wonder how he feels about his guitars now. Indeed a shame that he could not keep going.
I bought my first set of wood from Michael in 1977 . He started me on a lifelong addiction.....I bought one set of sepali and a top: and peppered the poor guy with 10,000 questions. A gentleman and patient teacher to some guy off the street. I was devastated when the NH facility closed, as it was a mere 3 hours from me.
Very good video. Had the chance and opportunity to play and buy a Gurian dread some years ago - but no cash enough to proceed. So I played it for an hour or so - was deeply impressed by the ringing, non - Martin sound. Found some of that sound later on A&M guitars, Avian guitars: grand piano sound. Every guitar has it's sound . No doubt. Gurian guitars have a distinct sound of their own. Respect!
i went to the gurian shop in west swanzey new hampshire a few times, in the late 70s, to buy wood for a few guitars that i built. it was a special place.
My God - the guitar shown 3:09 - 3:12 could be mine. I got mine in the mid '70s directly from the Factory through Diane Magagna at then Cobble Hills Ass., which was an export company working to distribute Gurian Guitars abroad as well as other brands. Diane nowadays is with Taylor Guitars! In my shop Super Sound in Aarhus, Denmark we sold a few instruments, and I ordered for myself one H CMP with an extra wide neck much like the Martin S models. I got it in a form fit hard case, serial no# C2788, flamed maple sides and back, German spruce top and it still rings out and pitches all the way up, like no other guitar I ever came across, As basically a size 2 model with a cut out, it is very evenly equalized with no extra thump picking bottom, but man it plays really loud and sounds 'open' across the entire spectrum with full sustain for any note anywhere, even with an action to die for. I have seen CMP models online with what seems to be Michaels trademark narrow necks, but looking at mine, and the dimensions on the CMP in this clip, I'm pretty sure, it has a wide neck. Is there anybody out there, who can inform of any other CMP guitars made with a wide and thin neck? Are you there yourself Michael, or Diane? With love Erik Bjerre / devoted Gurian owner :-)
My first Gurian Jumbo rosewood guitar was stolen. I replaced it with another, but that one got lost in a house fire. Both were great guitars, but at the time I couldn't afford a third one. I regret not finding a way to get that third guitar.
I think someone has stolen my guitar I lent it to a so called friend who has drug problem to try develop and interest for him and I can't get hold of him and he hasbt brought it back this has created much depression as I loved this guitar have you any advice. Thank you !?
I have a Gurian classical guitar, purchased in 1976. Model number A1156-CL. I would like to sell it. Can anyone tell me where to look to find out about the value of this guitar?
I just want to know how he got this blue macaw, a bird that is in extinction in Brazil and it is extremely illegal to sell these birds. To remove this type of bird here from Brazil, from its natural house is a crime.
Hi Michael, Great to hear you are still going strong. We met many years ago, at your N.H. factory, somewhere around the early 70,s, and both lost the end of our left index finger (the worst one !) in a wood planer in the same month ! yours in N.H. and mine making banjos in Putney V.T. It finished my banjo playing with Arwen Mountain Stringband, but I thing they were glad to be shot of my ultra traditional leanings :) T,is an ill wind that blows no-one any good ! Now playing Irish fiddle in steamy Bangkok but loving it. Best regards and keep going ! Dick McBroom.
I bought my first Gurian, a JM, in 1975 or 76 from Matt Umanov's shop in NYC. I played every guitar in his shop, and this one grabbed me. It is still my main guitar, though I have a number of other Gurians now, and other brands, too. This is the absolute best guitar I've ever played. Wonderful video!!!
That's cool...Michael took me to Matt's shop in '94...that place is an institution!
Guitar making LEGEND, Michael Gurian. Very nice video here. Thanks for sharing.
Great guy...
Huge respect for Mr. Gurian and his folks. I couldn't be prouder to use his decorative inlay. They're the best in the world at what they do and I never have to worry whether the materials are legal or top quality or whether the people doing the work are safe. Shell dust is dangerous. My wife and I agreed I'd never cut it by hand, and yet I couldn't in good conscience shop it out without knowing it would be done well and safely. As people - as a company - they're brilliant.
I bought my first Gurian JR Guitar in 1975 from Bill Lewis Music in Vancouver, B.C. This was my main guitar until two years
ago when I bought a very nice Duncan Africa OM. It's sitting in my studio in the original case and though a little worn it's still holding up pretty well. Thanks Michael Gurian for all the time I was able to spend with a good solid instrument. My friend has a very nice older Brazilian Rosewood model and many times we have performed the Gurian Jumbo Duets. Yes I'm sure there are many folks out their who have wished Michael would start making guitars again before he leaves the planet. I seem to recall paying about $600 CAD and the case was $125. Good tools always pay for themselves in the end. Thanks Michael Gurian!
It's wonderful to hear Bill Lewis' name...I was a dear friend of his and he introduced me to Michael Gurian, who is also a good friend. I'm sure you are aware that Bill passed away 20 years ago ...I miss him.
A wonderful video, thanks FBJ
Now (January 2022) ten years on from this video, I wonder how Michael is doing as I pick my 1977 S3R3H. In all that time it's had one go-over (fret leveling, nut and saddle) about six years ago and it plays great. I'm going to have a luthier look at it again soon to see if it still gets a clean bill of health, and if not, I'll most likely do what he says it needs.
When I bought the Gurian at Terminal Music on 48th Street in Manhattan I sat there until closing time playing the Gurian against a Martin. At that time I didn't know enough about guitars for me to remember now which Martin I played. Probably a 00 or 000? They were priced the same, $600, as the S3R3H, a finely appointed model with gold plated tuners and three-piece Indian rosewood back and rosewood sides. Plenty of herringbone binding throughout. Ebony fretboard. Lots of volume for a little instrument. Sonority, articulation of the strings, harmonics signing out of the rosewood, and tons of sustain. Perfect for finger picking. There was just something about the Gurian, and it's been mine ever since.
Yes, I wish Michael had gotten up a head of steam to try a third time. The world would have more Gurians. But I can richly imagine how he might have wanted to just kick back after such upheavals. I wish him well. Anyway, my S3R3H is a thing of beauty, and a joy forever.
Nothing beats a Gurian. I have been playing a J-R fipr decades and just purchased a J-M. I wonder how he feels about his guitars now. Indeed a shame that he could not keep going.
I bought my first set of wood from Michael in 1977 . He started me on a lifelong addiction.....I bought one set of sepali and a top: and peppered the poor guy with 10,000 questions. A gentleman and patient teacher to some guy off the street. I was devastated when the NH facility closed, as it was a mere 3 hours from me.
Very good video. Had the chance and opportunity to play and buy a Gurian dread some years ago - but no cash enough to proceed. So I played it for an hour or so - was deeply impressed by the ringing, non - Martin sound. Found some of that sound later on A&M guitars, Avian guitars: grand piano sound. Every guitar has it's sound . No doubt. Gurian guitars have a distinct sound of their own. Respect!
Great video, great guy'! (thanks for sharing)
Wonderfull!
i went to the gurian shop in west swanzey new hampshire a few times, in the late 70s, to buy wood for a few guitars that i built. it was a special place.
Nice video.. geat man :) I like it !
My God - the guitar shown 3:09 - 3:12 could be mine. I got mine in the mid '70s directly from the Factory through Diane Magagna at then Cobble Hills Ass., which was an export company working to distribute Gurian Guitars abroad as well as other brands. Diane nowadays is with Taylor Guitars! In my shop Super Sound in Aarhus, Denmark we sold a few instruments, and I ordered for myself one H CMP with an extra wide neck much like the Martin S models. I got it in a form fit hard case, serial no# C2788, flamed maple sides and back, German spruce top and it still rings out and pitches all the way up, like no other guitar I ever came across, As basically a size 2 model with a cut out, it is very evenly equalized with no extra thump picking bottom, but man it plays really loud and sounds 'open' across the entire spectrum with full sustain for any note anywhere, even with an action to die for. I have seen CMP models online with what seems to be Michaels trademark narrow necks, but looking at mine, and the dimensions on the CMP in this clip, I'm pretty sure, it has a wide neck. Is there anybody out there, who can inform of any other CMP guitars made with a wide and thin neck? Are you there yourself Michael, or Diane?
With love Erik Bjerre / devoted Gurian owner :-)
Mine is C2956.
I went to the west Swansea NH factory store to buy ebony and Koa and Schaller tuners. 25 dollars were a great price for schallers.
Nice Bridgeport
My first Gurian Jumbo rosewood guitar was stolen. I replaced it with another, but that one got lost in a house fire. Both were great guitars, but at the time I couldn't afford a third one. I regret not finding a way to get that third guitar.
I think someone has stolen my guitar I lent it to a so called friend who has drug problem to try develop and interest for him and I can't get hold of him and he hasbt brought it back this has created much depression as I loved this guitar have you any advice. Thank you !?
there's one for sale on ebay right now
lovely and informative video. who's playing the music, and on what?
Presumably a Gurian Guitar. ......
I have a Gurian classical guitar, purchased in 1976.
Model number A1156-CL. I would like to sell it. Can anyone tell me where to look to find out about the value of this guitar?
There are a couple fan pages on FB 'Gurian Guitars' & 'Gurian Guitar Owners'...that might help.
When I was 18, I sent him money for some guitar wood and never got anything back. 1980.
Hey, camera man, what the hell is going' on with your focus?
Nice guitar company and white man
I just want to know how he got this blue macaw, a bird that is in extinction in Brazil
and it is extremely illegal to sell these birds. To remove this type of bird here from Brazil, from its natural house is a crime.
he is the best thing that could have happened to this macaw,get a life
The bird flew all the way over himself,he knew where the love peace and harmony could be found.
He has a tropical bird in Seattle -- and that's not even a parakeet, it's a blue arara -- and uses ivory. Guilt free. Alright, then.
Roberto Fischer. Fossilized Ivory, From EXTINCT MASTADONS/ Primarily, found buried in Siberia .
Roberto Fischer The bird is a hyacinth macaw.