Hi Michael, it has been a while, love the video… the concept and approach. This platform will encourage aspiring luthiers, young and old, to come forward and present their creative concepts, reflecting their individualistic approach to designing and building guitars that possess those unique qualities that will resonate with a specific audience. Love the channel, as always, and keep up the inspiring work🎶👍
All my guitars are factory made guitars , however they have all been tweaked by a local luthier I use to get the best from them and he sets them up to play how I like them with low action. All have bone nuts and saddles or tusk fitted to suit the guitar , intonation is set. I have experimented with brass pins which increases volume and sustain bone which is a good all roulder and ebony which gives good mids and lows. Using what you have and tweaking it can give you a better instrument. Last but not least the wonderful world of alternative tunings can open up an exciting journey for your playing.I enjoy this channel because it shows me dream guitars that I could never own and let's not forget the excellent playing style of Michael which I shamelessly steal his imaginative ornamentation , all in the quest of becoming a better player.🤩👍
@@MichaelWatts I have missed your electric playing you need to put some more on you tube .Check out the Taran electric guitar which is on display at the botanical gardens in Edinburgh, its a radical design which I think you would like.🤩👍
To me, the best sounding acoustic guitar recording is your first album. You're playing No 32 Kostal "The Tree" MD, if I remember correctly. I guess the 30 guitars rule is more or less valid :-) As an off topic - I'm still highly impatient and eager, waiting for you second album ... guess what I'm wishing for Christmas 🤣🤣🤣
Ian Chisholm in Ditchling, Sussex, is a fantastic string intrument maker and well versed musician. I am in possession of # 97 model '0' steel strung guitar (parlor, 12 fret, slotted headstock, Ian generously met my request to incorporate a zero fret, and a side sound port), a truly wonderful instrument. Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland
When you pick up a guitar and play some, you know right away if it feels and sounds right for you. I had gone for a Taylor, but on the advice of a customer i tried a Larrivee L-03R and i knew right away that it was the one for me. People have told me "never sell this guitar" and i have not! I do have a classical now also, but will always keep the other. Keeps sounding better & better. Thanks.
New builders are starting out scary good these days what with all the info available on the net, and the Gore/Gilet books. I was at a show last weekend, and the fella at the table across from me had 5 out of his first 8 guitars. #3 was a falcate braced guitar of the Gore design. His numbers were exactly right, the mode shapes were bang on, the rosette was original-ish but with the hundreds of little wedge shaped cuts in the spruce, it was spot on. Fretting and setup good. The only critique I had was that the neck shape wasn’t quite right. But the fellow had no real way to know that, as he didn’t play guitar. He took it on as an interesting novelty woodworking project, had basically no previous woodworking skills, and he was in his 70’s. It’s crazy…
thanks Michael for a great post! You provide an analytic and nuanced view about what guitar Art and Craft is from your personal informed perspective. That alone is worth the price of admission. I am not sure i agree with all of it but i certainly have tremendous respect for how you have laid out all your reasons which so eloquently support your conclusion. I will certainly be thinking about you ideas and opinions for some time to come..👍
I like the winking mentioning of "her". She's doing an amazing job at promotion and I'm really fascinated! She definitely is onto something of substance and I sincerely root for her success. Nevertheless it's funny how I was saying to someone the other day that one should wait for some at least 50 instruments to be around before spending that much money on a built (that is, a price tag that the great luthiers out there have earned through a lifetime of perfecting their craft).
The vast majority of 'hers' getting big attention online in male-dominated fields are cashing in on sex appeal. It's the most obvious thing in the world. Before video internet nobody would care about them.
This is crazy. I’ve been building acoustic guitars for 10 years but working a full time Job I have only had time to build 7. Now, at this time in my life, I have decided to quit my full-time job and start building acoustic guitars full-time. I don’t like copying other guitars. i’ve been trying to walk my own path.. I have been watching your channel for sometime now because it’s very interesting the different styles of acoustics that you have on your channel. Not to mention you’re playing is outstanding. I have been putting off trying to contact you to see what it would take for you to do a review on one of my guitars.
I like the winking mentioning of “her”. She’s doing an amazing job at promotion and I’m really fascinated! She definitely is onto something of substance and I sincerely root for her success. Nevertheless it’s funny how I was saying to someone the other day that one should wait for some at least 50 instruments to be around before spending that much money on a built (that is, a price tag that the great luthiers out there have earned through a lifetime of perfecting their craft).
Nigel Forster, a bit grumpy but might be up for it... though probably has a waiting list in any case. He trained with Sobell, and is in Australia now. Maybe a trip out there? Loved your trip to South Africa
@@gianfrancoviola9868she knows the right people. In the UK class still matters. Upper class, mixing with luxury brand ambassador's, Christies auction house....she is an artist and artists do make good woodworkers, but .....
This is the kind of content I'm here for... also thank you for standing by the importance of language/meaning. Looking forward to the comparison videos! Thank you Michael.
♥ Like this very much Michael! Thank you. Your work is to me inspirational. It speaks (to me) a lot about devotion, merging both ends of the luthier/player dynamic spectrum. I like the authenticity charge your work conveys, always -from and -for the guitar instrument as source. - Best to you M.
I was at a store and the owner brought out a classical made by A. Cervantes who told the owner "this is the best guitar i have ever made". His are all very nice, but he himself just knew. As you said it is a lifetime thing like any trade. The hands learn on their own if that makes sense.
Thank you, Michael, for an interesting talk and the detailed criteria mentioned. I'm sure that many will look forward to hearing that 'Hendrix' childhood-home guitar too and hopefully the story behind who came up with the idea to make it!
@@nimrod2020 thank you Michael and you deserve a mention in this video too - your tireless work for the community and as a sensational luthier have been hugely inspiring to all
Michael I love your directness and clarity. Your opinion counts and you have a good pair of ears. Your face says it all when you strum a nice tone. Keep it
On his own channel, JP Cormier has addressed "why" he hasn't done a review on certain acoustic guitars or related gear. He has said the following on multiple occasions: "One reason I may have not reviewed a particular luthier's guitar, or from a certain company, is I simply don't have the time to get to them all".......but he also stated: "Reason #2, is I have a policy: if an acoustic guitar is shipped to me in hopes of doing a real review, and that guitar just does not meet my expectations FOR IT'S PRICE RANGE, I would much rather NOT do a video review at all for that guitar, rather then give it a negative review. I will tell the luthier or the company who sent the guitar that I wasn't satisfied with the instrument and why, but I'm not going to publicly bash them on a video"......end quote. And that makes sense, because a negative review for a single guitar can really hurt a person or company's business overall. Instead, JP would rather give them the constructive criticism privately in the hopes that it may help them improve their instruments. This shows the true character of JP Cormier. Some youtubers would love to publicly bash a guitar and the person or company who made it. But even so, JP Cormier will not hesitate to criticize a large, well established guitar company if and when they build a sub-par instrument at a certain price point, when there's dozens of other companies who are building a much finer instrument for the same price, or even less.
Very interesting video. It is great to hear someone talking about the essence rather than the sound of the guitar as a whole. I have been fortunate to own several luthier made guitars, wonderful, unique instruments, so a series on new luthiers would be interesting.
@@MichaelWatts I have a confession to make. I have always been deeply attracted to Ovation and Adamas guitars. Owned a couple but none at present. A possible future video? I really don't think they get enough love and I'd be fascinated by your take on the more expensive professional models, especially the 1970s Glen Campbells.
Looking forward to this series. I've always liked what you put out but imho there's been a distinct lack of direction. Your new plan sounds terrific. Thanks so much Michael
Interesting video. They are hardly new kids on the block, but I have been incredibly happy with the 2 Brook guitars I have. Fantastic UK luthiers based in Devon.
watching and listening to great guitars is like watching beautiful sunsets.........you never get enough! I appreciate that you dont run down guitars....you just dont review them. thanks again
Hi Michael, What tuning were you using for the song you opened this video with? Also, what’s your preferred tuning? Many thanks and always enjoy your playing and exposing us to so many awesome guitars we’d all play good money to play for an hour or two to experience them. Thx, Rip
@@ripbenson2810 Hi Rip That was an underused and exotic tuning called EADGBE. By coincidence I charge good money for online sessions so get in touch via my website and we can make it happen
I will say this is the best 'speech' of luthier made guitar. Met u around 8 years ago and that's the start point of my acoustic aficionado journey. Cheers and wish one day we can talk again！
You’re an erudite chap, Mr Watts. Everything you produce is more than worthy of our full attention, so unintentionally you are, in my opinion, a very powerful influencer in the rarified world of luthier made guitars.
Fairly well spoken, Michael. IF there is anything wrong with today's crop of young luthiers, it's a tendency to draw info from a small source (like RUclips), or a website. After 45 years at the bench, I still consider myself a student of the art and craft of luthiery and I am still refining my skills and abilities. The world is my teacher, and everything is raw material for me to digest and use. Good luck in the future!
FIVE YEARS - that is a drop in the bucket in the evolution of a luthier - we would say that 5-10 years of startup building and in the second decades the mastery occurs and after that - a lifetime of getting better.
I just love your channel, Michael. I, too, wondered if you were - uncharacteristically - going to stick the boot in, given the title, but then you didn’t. And I’m glad
Thanks Michael just found your channel I have found owning many guitars that there are only a small group of the best builders Boucher being one of the best which I own 2 but every player needs to play and see which builder will help the player express themselves
Looking forward to your new luthier videos. I’ve found, or perhaps “I feel” is better, there is a magic to an instrument built entirely by one person. Let’s call it soul. It’s inspiring to play such a guitar. The ones I have and love are all classical.
The renaissance of acoustic guitars started decades ago and looks like it will continue for decades more. I’m an old man of 67 and one of my bucket list items is to build my own guitar, but with a very distinct design. With your extensive experience amongst talented luthiers; has the subject of “Patents or patent pending “ come up in your conversations? Or is it a free for all with credit given to the innovator?
@@salvadormartin4203 very good question Salvador! Intellectual Property and patents are sometimes discussed (not my area of expertise so I can’t advise) but it often comes down to a gentle person’s agreement
Would love to see you feature Karan Singh of Bigfoot Guitars in this new series. I have one of his Mod-D models, and based on the measurements, it seems to be his take on Jason Kostal's MDW (it's nearly identical), which makes sense since he spent some time studying under Jason at his home. I've never played a Kostal, but the Bigfoot Mod-D sounds just stunning to my ears (the tones are stunning, I should say... my playing is not 😂). I think Karan took away some good lessons. My next is a Taran Tirga Mhor, being built right now actually, after about 3 years or so on the wait list. Your features of Rory Dowling had a lot to do with that choice, so thanks!
Great idea for a mini series Michael. I wonder if there is a tendency to start out all Harry Fleishman and slowly go Martin D 18? Or maybe its the other way around. Appetising stuff.
Enjoyable, informative post. Thanks, Michael. Luckily for folks like me who can't afford such instruments, these days many factory-made guitars are pretty good. I own two. A tip: check out Ben Wilborn's guitars. He's a veteran maker whose soundport "Nautilus" instruments have great ring and sustain.
@@vanrozay8871 thank you very much! I’ve only spent the briefest time with Ben and his instruments but I enjoyed talking with him and look forward to more in the future!
Hey Michael, Did you hear about the Legacy guitar that was built by Somogyi’s apprentices? Beauregard, Pellerin…and others. An incredible instrument they unveiled at Sound Messe a few months ago.
@@MichaelWatts I think your viewers would love to see/hear about it. It really seemed like an act of love honouring the great man himself. Thanks brother...
Hi Michael. Great video as always and agree with what you are saying. However, when you sent back instruments that you didn't feature, did you offer some constructive feedback? Afterall its that feedback from as many players as possible that will be a huge help in refining and improving ones work. Hence it was great to hear your feedback on Luca's instrument. The news series will be great, and inspiring, especially for an always to be amateur sawdust maker such as myself ( Building only 2-3 instruments a year, I won't have time to ever become a Luthier, but being a better sawdust maker is still an honourable aim IMHO). Therefore, would you also feature the work of an amateur builder who has no intentions of going pro, and even if not featured, would you be happy to provide brutally honest feedback? I would like to think I can get to a level where if gifted to young talented players, they would actually want to play them and not become kindling ;-) Hope we can catch up soon, Cheers for great videos as always
her guitars are amazing and I like the proper acoustics/physics that goes into her design. I think she said that she has science background or maybe someone in her family?
Michael, you would not want to put off buyers from working with guitar makers at the beginning of the journey, or buying some of their earlier output. For many buyers (i.e. maybe with limited budgets), this is the way to get into a personalised or artisanal, non-factory instrument, the quality of which can be very good indeed. Yes, I agree that the odds are that it won't be as good as a recently-made Taran, Kostal or Bashkin... but it still may be *the best guitar they have ever owned*. It is critical that we support these genuine young craftspeople by purchasing their instruments, because otherwise they won't become the next Taran, Kostal or Bashkin. Many have put in the hours in great guitar-making schools or as apprentices, so they have a head start. I own the ninth guitar from such a builder, and it compares favourably with some of my favourites. Yes, we know of some young builders whose digital marketing skills are better than their luthiery skills, but most are very much the other way around. So I recommend finding your local young guitar builder, paying a visit to their shop, talk to them about their craft, and spend some money with them. Support the art.
As a player who values sound and note attack over something shiny and new , its cheaper, a few thousand dollars to buy a used professional grade vintage hand made Spanish guitar , Cheaper than buying a new hand made one or even a factory one. . If you're lucky you'll find a Brazillian rosewood guitar for cheap if the pawn shop/thrift store/garage sale /flea market doesn't know what they have, which is often the case as far as classical guitars go. Over the years I've found 3 brazilian rose wood instruments this way for average $150 each, worth multiple thousands each.
Technically, if you can successfully produce a stringed instrument, you are a luthier..."a maker of stringed instruments such as violins or guitars", .but I get your drift;) It used to bug me that a client would think of himself as a carpenter because he built a fence and some sheds with his grandfather; it takes a very talented person four or five years to be a skilled journeyman, and more to be a master. Possibly we could call the instrument you are after a master luthier built;)
@@johngriswold2213 “successfully” is doing all the heavy lifting in that first sentence John. It is arguably the end user who defines that success. I could make you a good awful suit but does it make me a tailor?
@@MichaelWatts Absolutely...I successfully completed many building projects long before I would now consider myself a journeyman, and my first build sounds as good as my entry level solid wood Martin. On the other hand, I hired and paid guys as carpenters though they still needed training and supervision at times to get things right. Hoping to have number 9 or 10 sounding good enough to send you for an assessment;)
I look forward to seeing hand built guitars that in their infacy may have to be affordable enough in order for the luthier to gain a reputation that later allows him to justify the crazy prices out there that only more wealthy customers can buy! thanks.
HONESTLY - what was the point and intention and outcome of this video - as you said - it was clickbait that maybe you would dump on evolving builders - this video did not seem about 'US" but about your understandable struggle with the overwhelming amount of new builders and how to position them in your channel (and mind). As Bob Dylan said - if you can't lend a hand - then get out of the way - we are also struggling as a business to assess and work with the plethora of new workshops - every one is a diamond - maybe just be a builder and player and let the music happen without the need to intellectually understand it and categorize it. Just enjoy it - and THANK God that you are alive for this miracle and suspend judgement Michael - suspend it forever.
Nice job on the pretend RUclipsr faces - I'm sure I recognise it/them. I wasn't really expecting you to kick off on the abilities of new generation luthiers, but it seems to me your expectations are extremely high (fair enough), as were some of those who commented on the Bossata guitar. I don't agree with your description of a luthier as someone making (in effect) a guitar that suits a player in a way that nothing else would. If that was the case, Roger Bucknall isn't a luthier, and nor is any luthier who takes on an apprentice, nor any luthier who makes an instrument without discussion with the guitarist, nor yet any luthier who specialises in the recreation of vintage instruments. Otherwise, this was a fascinating discussion and you speak with wisdom. The issue of experience is important, because hands on knowledge is what drives progress. There is actually a problem at the moment, and that is the rise of RUclips-driven luthiers, which I think you are touching when you speak of people jumping 'up out of nowhere'. Now these folk may be doing wonderful but, like you, I'd want to see quite a few examples before parting with the eye-watering prices sometimes asked. That said I do realise the sums are only eye-watering if you don't have the dough. Most luthiers selling guitars in the 5k arena aren't doing as well as a staff nurse unless they are really churning them out. Finally, thanks for giving an old pedant the chance to point out that the notion that 'aesthetic' is a noun is debatable (outside usage similar to yours here), with both 'aesthetic' and 'aesthetical' being used as adjectives 🤣.
I would argue that if you are going to promote your guitars on RUclips, you might look to someone with more than 11k followers - it really cuts both ways
@@hereasafanofallsorts5164 ordinarily I’d agree with you but this is a question of demographic not numbers. There are 50 seats in a bus and two in a Lamborghini.
@MichaelWatts I know, yeah - but there are guitar builders - I won't say luthier because it's utterly pretentious - who have built far fewer than 30 guitars, have ten times your follower count, have solid careers and are respected builders - it is the age of self promotion. Setting yourself up as an arbiter of good taste and gatekeeping is stuffy old British class system nonsense and I feel sorry for anyone who might think that pandering to your taste is the only way forward.
@@MichaelWatts I'll take that as a compliment !! : ) However.. I am completely enamored of guitars made by Steven Toom.. Why..? Because they are reminiscent of guitars made in the 19th century by the fathers of the classical guitar.. Bling a Ding Ding ! And because of the extreme effort to make them so. If I sold 4 guitars and my 1963 MGB, I could afford one. I'll have to think about that. Cheers.
@@MichaelWattsI'd be too afraid to argue the point with Roger!! Perhaps it could be an interesting point for you to include and discuss when you next make some content with Fylde/Roger. Good luck!!😂
@@Whatsisface4 ooof! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I do agree that there is often a lack of understanding of basic principles of ratio, balance and composition.
Hi Michael, it has been a while, love the video… the concept and approach. This platform will encourage aspiring luthiers, young and old, to come forward and present their creative concepts, reflecting their individualistic approach to designing and building guitars that possess those unique qualities that will resonate with a specific audience. Love the channel, as always, and keep up the inspiring work🎶👍
@@kevingreene6893 hello there Kevin! Great to hear from you and thank you for your support!
All my guitars are factory made guitars , however they have all been tweaked by a local luthier I use to get the best from them and he sets them up to play how I like them with low action. All have bone nuts and saddles or tusk fitted to suit the guitar , intonation is set. I have experimented with brass pins which increases volume and sustain bone which is a good all roulder and ebony which gives good mids and lows. Using what you have and tweaking it can give you a better instrument. Last but not least the wonderful world of alternative tunings can open up an exciting journey for your playing.I enjoy this channel because it shows me dream guitars that I could never own and let's not forget the excellent playing style of Michael which I shamelessly steal his imaginative ornamentation , all in the quest of becoming a better player.🤩👍
@@alastair6356 I wondered where my licks had gone… do you really need both of them though?
@@MichaelWatts I have missed your electric playing you need to put some more on you tube .Check out the Taran electric guitar which is on display at the botanical gardens in Edinburgh, its a radical design which I think you would like.🤩👍
@@alastair6356 I saw it! Which reminds me I need to call Rory!
Fantastic concept Michael! The newer Luthiers fascinate me, but the musicality of the instrument should always be front and centre. 👍
@@douglasnelson3569 absolutely right Douglas!
To me, the best sounding acoustic guitar recording is your first album. You're playing No 32 Kostal "The Tree" MD, if I remember correctly. I guess the 30 guitars rule is more or less valid :-) As an off topic - I'm still highly impatient and eager, waiting for you second album ... guess what I'm wishing for Christmas 🤣🤣🤣
@@IvayloNikolov I’ll have to play it for you live on Skype!
Ian Chisholm in Ditchling, Sussex, is a fantastic string intrument maker and well versed musician.
I am in possession of # 97 model '0' steel strung guitar (parlor, 12 fret, slotted headstock, Ian generously met my request to incorporate a zero fret, and a side sound port), a truly wonderful instrument.
Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland
@@AndreRMeyer great stuff!
When you pick up a guitar and play some, you know right away if it feels and sounds right for you. I had gone for a Taylor, but on the advice of a customer i tried a Larrivee L-03R and i knew right away that it was the one for me. People have told me "never sell this guitar" and i have not! I do have a classical now also, but will always keep the other. Keeps sounding better & better. Thanks.
@@artvandelay1555 thanks for watching Art! You’re right - you can tell straight away
Growing craftsmanship is totally fascinating to watch and appreciate.
I am absolutely looking forward!
@@arnhemseptember2009 thank you! I’m looking forward to making more videos in this series
New builders are starting out scary good these days what with all the info available on the net, and the Gore/Gilet books. I was at a show last weekend, and the fella at the table across from me had 5 out of his first 8 guitars. #3 was a falcate braced guitar of the Gore design. His numbers were exactly right, the mode shapes were bang on, the rosette was original-ish but with the hundreds of little wedge shaped cuts in the spruce, it was spot on. Fretting and setup good. The only critique I had was that the neck shape wasn’t quite right. But the fellow had no real way to know that, as he didn’t play guitar. He took it on as an interesting novelty woodworking project, had basically no previous woodworking skills, and he was in his 70’s. It’s crazy…
@@HalcyonGuitars ain’t that the truth! Well - I’m hoping that this series will also help in that regard!
thanks Michael for a great post! You provide an analytic and nuanced view about what guitar Art and Craft is from your personal informed perspective. That alone is worth the price of admission. I am not sure i agree with all of it but i certainly have tremendous respect for how you have laid out all your reasons which so eloquently support your conclusion. I will certainly be thinking about you ideas and opinions for some time to come..👍
@@redfox8626 thank you RedFox!
I like the winking mentioning of "her". She's doing an amazing job at promotion and I'm really fascinated! She definitely is onto something of substance and I sincerely root for her success. Nevertheless it's funny how I was saying to someone the other day that one should wait for some at least 50 instruments to be around before spending that much money on a built (that is, a price tag that the great luthiers out there have earned through a lifetime of perfecting their craft).
The vast majority of 'hers' getting big attention online in male-dominated fields are cashing in on sex appeal. It's the most obvious thing in the world. Before video internet nobody would care about them.
@@gianfrancoviola9868 Amen to that. It’s borderline comical.
This is crazy. I’ve been building acoustic guitars for 10 years but working a full time Job I have only had time to build 7. Now, at this time in my life, I have decided to quit my full-time job and start building acoustic guitars full-time. I don’t like copying other guitars. i’ve been trying to walk my own path.. I have been watching your channel for sometime now because it’s very interesting the different styles of acoustics that you have on your channel. Not to mention you’re playing is outstanding. I have been putting off trying to contact you to see what it would take for you to do a review on one of my guitars.
@@dreamwoodcustomacoustics7768 well now you know!
Sounds like you should get in touch with Michael. Nothing to lose. I'm sure he would be interested in looking at your work. Good luck.
I like the winking mentioning of “her”. She’s doing an amazing job at promotion and I’m really fascinated! She definitely is onto something of substance and I sincerely root for her success. Nevertheless it’s funny how I was saying to someone the other day that one should wait for some at least 50 instruments to be around before spending that much money on a built (that is, a price tag that the great luthiers out there have earned through a lifetime of perfecting their craft).
Nigel Forster, a bit grumpy but might be up for it... though probably has a waiting list in any case. He trained with Sobell, and is in Australia now. Maybe a trip out there? Loved your trip to South Africa
@@gianfrancoviola9868she knows the right people. In the UK class still matters. Upper class, mixing with luxury brand ambassador's, Christies auction house....she is an artist and artists do make good woodworkers, but .....
Very well said and I'm looking forward to the new series. What an excellent opportunity for new builders. : )
@@ellenrik thank you Ellenrik! I’m looking forward to getting stuck in!
This is the kind of content I'm here for... also thank you for standing by the importance of language/meaning. Looking forward to the comparison videos! Thank you Michael.
@@szabolcsmezei4088 thank you! That means a lot to me!
♥ Like this very much Michael! Thank you. Your work is to me inspirational. It speaks (to me) a lot about devotion, merging both ends of the luthier/player dynamic spectrum. I like the authenticity charge your work conveys, always -from and -for the guitar instrument as source. - Best to you M.
I was at a store and the owner brought out a classical made by A. Cervantes who told the owner "this is the best guitar i have ever made". His are all very nice, but he himself just knew. As you said it is a lifetime thing like any trade. The hands learn on their own if that makes sense.
@@artvandelay1555 very cool
Great video, thanks for all you do Michael!
@@TheArtOfLutherie and you Tom! Thank you for watching!
In my other comment below, I forgot to say this was a great video because you make many great points Michael.
I appreciate that!
Thank you, Michael, for an interesting talk and the detailed criteria mentioned. I'm sure that many will look forward to hearing that 'Hendrix' childhood-home guitar too and hopefully the story behind who came up with the idea to make it!
@@malcolmwatson3009 I will be excusing myself and kissing the sky very soon Malcolm!
@@MichaelWatts 🤣
Great idea and appreciate your thoughts in this video.
@@nimrod2020 thank you Michael and you deserve a mention in this video too - your tireless work for the community and as a sensational luthier have been hugely inspiring to all
Michael I love your directness and clarity.
Your opinion counts and you have a good pair of ears.
Your face says it all when you strum a nice tone.
Keep it
On his own channel, JP Cormier has addressed "why" he hasn't done a review on certain acoustic guitars or related gear. He has said the following on multiple occasions: "One reason I may have not reviewed a particular luthier's guitar, or from a certain company, is I simply don't have the time to get to them all".......but he also stated: "Reason #2, is I have a policy: if an acoustic guitar is shipped to me in hopes of doing a real review, and that guitar just does not meet my expectations FOR IT'S PRICE RANGE, I would much rather NOT do a video review at all for that guitar, rather then give it a negative review. I will tell the luthier or the company who sent the guitar that I wasn't satisfied with the instrument and why, but I'm not going to publicly bash them on a video"......end quote. And that makes sense, because a negative review for a single guitar can really hurt a person or company's business overall. Instead, JP would rather give them the constructive criticism privately in the hopes that it may help them improve their instruments. This shows the true character of JP Cormier. Some youtubers would love to publicly bash a guitar and the person or company who made it. But even so, JP Cormier will not hesitate to criticize a large, well established guitar company if and when they build a sub-par instrument at a certain price point, when there's dozens of other companies who are building a much finer instrument for the same price, or even less.
Very interesting video. It is great to hear someone talking about the essence rather than the sound of the guitar as a whole. I have been fortunate to own several luthier made guitars, wonderful, unique instruments, so a series on new luthiers would be interesting.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@MichaelWatts I have a confession to make. I have always been deeply attracted to Ovation and Adamas guitars. Owned a couple but none at present. A possible future video? I really don't think they get enough love and I'd be fascinated by your take on the more expensive professional models, especially the 1970s Glen Campbells.
Luca’s build is very very lovely. Thanks for sharing it Michael. Always a pleasure watching the channel.
Looking forward to this series. I've always liked what you put out but imho there's been a distinct lack of direction. Your new plan sounds terrific. Thanks so much Michael
awesome Michael, this is great stuff!
@@stonehenge313 thank you!
Interesting video. They are hardly new kids on the block, but I have been incredibly happy with the 2 Brook guitars I have. Fantastic UK luthiers based in Devon.
Wonderful (and challenging) idea to cast your net more widely....can't wait!
@@julianbutler6298 I’m looking forward to it!
watching and listening to great guitars is like watching beautiful sunsets.........you never get enough! I appreciate that you dont run down guitars....you just dont review them. thanks again
Thanks Michael, great video!
@@Kacper_Wierzchos thank you for listening!
Whew. Quite the daunting offer! Great idea and thanks for supporting all the crazy people out there building guitars :)
@@lomamansa it’s what I’m here for!
Hi Michael,
What tuning were you using for the song you opened this video with?
Also, what’s your preferred tuning?
Many thanks and always enjoy your playing and exposing us to so many awesome guitars we’d all play good money to play for an hour or two to experience them.
Thx,
Rip
@@ripbenson2810 Hi Rip
That was an underused and exotic tuning called EADGBE. By coincidence I charge good money for online sessions so get in touch via my website and we can make it happen
I will say this is the best 'speech' of luthier made guitar. Met u around 8 years ago and that's the start point of my acoustic aficionado journey. Cheers and wish one day we can talk again！
You’re an erudite chap, Mr Watts. Everything you produce is more than worthy of our full attention, so unintentionally you are, in my opinion, a very powerful influencer in the rarified world of luthier made guitars.
Fairly well spoken, Michael. IF there is anything wrong with today's crop of young luthiers, it's a tendency to draw info from a small source (like RUclips), or a website. After 45 years at the bench, I still consider myself a student of the art and craft of luthiery and I am still refining my skills and abilities. The world is my teacher, and everything is raw material for me to digest and use. Good luck in the future!
FIVE YEARS - that is a drop in the bucket in the evolution of a luthier - we would say that 5-10 years of startup building and in the second decades the mastery occurs and after that - a lifetime of getting better.
I just love your channel, Michael. I, too, wondered if you were - uncharacteristically - going to stick the boot in, given the title, but then you didn’t. And I’m glad
Thanks Michael just found your channel
I have found owning many guitars that there are only a small group of the best builders Boucher being one of the best which I own 2 but every player needs to play and see which builder will help the player express themselves
Looking forward to your new luthier videos. I’ve found, or perhaps “I feel” is better, there is a magic to an instrument built entirely by one person. Let’s call it soul. It’s inspiring to play such a guitar. The ones I have and love are all classical.
The renaissance of acoustic guitars started decades ago and looks like it will continue for decades more. I’m an old man of 67 and one of my bucket list items is to build my own guitar, but with a very distinct design. With your extensive experience amongst talented luthiers; has the subject of “Patents or patent pending “ come up in your conversations? Or is it a free for all with credit given to the innovator?
@@salvadormartin4203 very good question Salvador! Intellectual Property and patents are sometimes discussed (not my area of expertise so I can’t advise) but it often comes down to a gentle person’s agreement
Would love to see you feature Karan Singh of Bigfoot Guitars in this new series. I have one of his Mod-D models, and based on the measurements, it seems to be his take on Jason Kostal's MDW (it's nearly identical), which makes sense since he spent some time studying under Jason at his home. I've never played a Kostal, but the Bigfoot Mod-D sounds just stunning to my ears (the tones are stunning, I should say... my playing is not 😂). I think Karan took away some good lessons. My next is a Taran Tirga Mhor, being built right now actually, after about 3 years or so on the wait list. Your features of Rory Dowling had a lot to do with that choice, so thanks!
I used to have a collection of guitars build by the late Tony Zemaitis. Beat THAT!
Great idea for a mini series Michael. I wonder if there is a tendency to start out all Harry Fleishman and slowly go Martin D 18? Or maybe its the other way around. Appetising stuff.
Meaningful Video ! Important content, thank you very much.
Thank you Nicolas!
Love this idea!!!! Can't wait to compare some 10th or 15th guitars to first or seconds.
What is the optimum and tolerance for nut slot width to string diameter clearance? Is it different for the string sizes?
Great vid, Michael
Great video. I have found that Yamaha and Alvarez Guitars are my go-to instruments. They are fine guitar for the money.
Enjoyable, informative post. Thanks, Michael. Luckily for folks like me who can't afford such instruments, these days many factory-made guitars are pretty good. I own two. A tip: check out Ben Wilborn's guitars. He's a veteran maker whose soundport "Nautilus" instruments have great ring and sustain.
@@vanrozay8871 thank you very much! I’ve only spent the briefest time with Ben and his instruments but I enjoyed talking with him and look forward to more in the future!
Great video Michael.
Hey Michael, Did you hear about the Legacy guitar that was built by Somogyi’s apprentices? Beauregard, Pellerin…and others. An incredible instrument they unveiled at Sound Messe a few months ago.
@@gerald5175 I heard a rumour but I haven’t been in the same room as it yet!
@@MichaelWatts I think your viewers would love to see/hear about it. It really seemed like an act of love honouring the great man himself.
Thanks brother...
Hi Michael. Great video as always and agree with what you are saying. However, when you sent back instruments that you didn't feature, did you offer some constructive feedback? Afterall its that feedback from as many players as possible that will be a huge help in refining and improving ones work. Hence it was great to hear your feedback on Luca's instrument. The news series will be great, and inspiring, especially for an always to be amateur sawdust maker such as myself ( Building only 2-3 instruments a year, I won't have time to ever become a Luthier, but being a better sawdust maker is still an honourable aim IMHO). Therefore, would you also feature the work of an amateur builder who has no intentions of going pro, and even if not featured, would you be happy to provide brutally honest feedback? I would like to think I can get to a level where if gifted to young talented players, they would actually want to play them and not become kindling ;-)
Hope we can catch up soon, Cheers for great videos as always
Being legally blind, I listen first, then try to play it or find out about the neck and nut to determine if I could play it.
@@texhaines9957 which is absolutely the right way to do it to be honest. Thank you for listening Tex!
Hey!
Next time your near or in new England ---Western Ma. USA.
Do come visit.-- you'll experience something you haven't heard before.
I think you are correct.
@@kennymac58 thank you Kenny!
Michael check out Daisy Tempest Guitars luther in London, UK.
@@saoirsepaddy I was enjoying coffee with Daisy a couple of days ago!
only a couple of guitars so far....
Am interested to know if a "guitar luthier" only makes flat top steel strings? 😅
I got a Turnstone TM, in part because of your demos for Rosie. Wonderful!
@@davidtaylor3563 that’s so good to hear David! Thanks for watching!
her guitars are amazing and I like the proper acoustics/physics that goes into her design. I think she said that she has science background or maybe someone in her family?
It would be nice if you could upload the interview with Steve Grimes... it is has been more than a few months by now you promised to upload it... 😞
J Hendrix Guitar,,,what is the wood? Do you know?
Michael, you would not want to put off buyers from working with guitar makers at the beginning of the journey, or buying some of their earlier output. For many buyers (i.e. maybe with limited budgets), this is the way to get into a personalised or artisanal, non-factory instrument, the quality of which can be very good indeed. Yes, I agree that the odds are that it won't be as good as a recently-made Taran, Kostal or Bashkin... but it still may be *the best guitar they have ever owned*. It is critical that we support these genuine young craftspeople by purchasing their instruments, because otherwise they won't become the next Taran, Kostal or Bashkin. Many have put in the hours in great guitar-making schools or as apprentices, so they have a head start. I own the ninth guitar from such a builder, and it compares favourably with some of my favourites. Yes, we know of some young builders whose digital marketing skills are better than their luthiery skills, but most are very much the other way around. So I recommend finding your local young guitar builder, paying a visit to their shop, talk to them about their craft, and spend some money with them. Support the art.
I really dislike the video title, BTW.
As a player who values sound and note attack over something shiny and new , its cheaper, a few thousand dollars to buy a used professional grade vintage hand made Spanish guitar ,
Cheaper than buying a new hand made one or even a factory one. . If you're lucky you'll find a Brazillian rosewood guitar for cheap if the pawn shop/thrift store/garage sale /flea market doesn't know what they have, which is often the case as far as classical guitars go. Over the years I've found 3 brazilian rose wood instruments this way for average $150 each, worth multiple thousands each.
Technically, if you can successfully produce a stringed instrument, you are a luthier..."a maker of stringed instruments such as violins or guitars", .but I get your drift;) It used to bug me that a client would think of himself as a carpenter because he built a fence and some sheds with his grandfather; it takes a very talented person four or five years to be a skilled journeyman, and more to be a master. Possibly we could call the instrument you are after a master luthier built;)
@@johngriswold2213 “successfully” is doing all the heavy lifting in that first sentence John. It is arguably the end user who defines that success. I could make you a good awful suit but does it make me a tailor?
@@MichaelWatts Absolutely...I successfully completed many building projects long before I would now consider myself a journeyman, and my first build sounds as good as my entry level solid wood Martin. On the other hand, I hired and paid guys as carpenters though they still needed training and supervision at times to get things right. Hoping to have number 9 or 10 sounding good enough to send you for an assessment;)
I look forward to seeing hand built guitars that in their infacy may have to be affordable enough in order for the luthier to gain a reputation that later allows him to justify the crazy prices out there that only more wealthy customers can buy! thanks.
HONESTLY - what was the point and intention and outcome of this video - as you said - it was clickbait that maybe you would dump on evolving builders - this video did not seem about 'US" but about your understandable struggle with the overwhelming amount of new builders and how to position them in your channel (and mind). As Bob Dylan said - if you can't lend a hand - then get out of the way - we are also struggling as a business to assess and work with the plethora of new workshops - every one is a diamond - maybe just be a builder and player and let the music happen without the need to intellectually understand it and categorize it. Just enjoy it - and THANK God that you are alive for this miracle and suspend judgement Michael - suspend it forever.
Nice job on the pretend RUclipsr faces - I'm sure I recognise it/them. I wasn't really expecting you to kick off on the abilities of new generation luthiers, but it seems to me your expectations are extremely high (fair enough), as were some of those who commented on the Bossata guitar. I don't agree with your description of a luthier as someone making (in effect) a guitar that suits a player in a way that nothing else would. If that was the case, Roger Bucknall isn't a luthier, and nor is any luthier who takes on an apprentice, nor any luthier who makes an instrument without discussion with the guitarist, nor yet any luthier who specialises in the recreation of vintage instruments. Otherwise, this was a fascinating discussion and you speak with wisdom. The issue of experience is important, because hands on knowledge is what drives progress. There is actually a problem at the moment, and that is the rise of RUclips-driven luthiers, which I think you are touching when you speak of people jumping 'up out of nowhere'. Now these folk may be doing wonderful but, like you, I'd want to see quite a few examples before parting with the eye-watering prices sometimes asked. That said I do realise the sums are only eye-watering if you don't have the dough. Most luthiers selling guitars in the 5k arena aren't doing as well as a staff nurse unless they are really churning them out. Finally, thanks for giving an old pedant the chance to point out that the notion that 'aesthetic' is a noun is debatable (outside usage similar to yours here), with both 'aesthetic' and 'aesthetical' being used as adjectives 🤣.
Looking forward to this, it should be a fascinating series
@@jez6345789 Thank you Jez! Yes I hope so!
I`m counting five years or more, thinking of building a guitar. My litle stack of quarter sawn sixty year old mahogany has become unpatient.
@@chrisosseweijer2798 you must be getting very good at thinking about making a guitar! That is the first step…
Proof is in the tone/pudding some 40 year guitar makers still make not so good sounding guitars.
Going click bait title…?
@@cfibanez watch the whole video and you can tell me!
I would argue that if you are going to promote your guitars on RUclips, you might look to someone with more than 11k followers - it really cuts both ways
@@hereasafanofallsorts5164 ordinarily I’d agree with you but this is a question of demographic not numbers. There are 50 seats in a bus and two in a Lamborghini.
@MichaelWatts I know, yeah - but there are guitar builders - I won't say luthier because it's utterly pretentious - who have built far fewer than 30 guitars, have ten times your follower count, have solid careers and are respected builders - it is the age of self promotion. Setting yourself up as an arbiter of good taste and gatekeeping is stuffy old British class system nonsense and I feel sorry for anyone who might think that pandering to your taste is the only way forward.
Many modern guitars are like modern cars; too much bling and too many cupholders.
@@jeffhildreth9244 ha ha 🤣 I can always rely on you Jeff!
@@MichaelWatts I'll take that as a compliment !! : )
However.. I am completely enamored of guitars made by Steven Toom..
Why..? Because they are reminiscent of guitars made in the 19th century by the
fathers of the classical guitar.. Bling a Ding Ding ! And because of the extreme effort
to make them so. If I sold 4 guitars and my 1963 MGB, I could afford one.
I'll have to think about that.
Cheers.
And often one too many sound holes...
Well said 😂
Cup holders you say I am in lol
Guitar builders not Luthiers. Luthiers make Lutes. Just ask Roger Bucknall! 😂
@@bernie_smith and from an ethnomusicological point of view the guitar is a long neck lute.
@@MichaelWattsI'd be too afraid to argue the point with Roger!! Perhaps it could be an interesting point for you to include and discuss when you next make some content with Fylde/Roger. Good luck!!😂
I'm sorry, but what's wrong is that the guitars from modern luthiers are often ugly.
@@Whatsisface4 ooof! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I do agree that there is often a lack of understanding of basic principles of ratio, balance and composition.
@@MichaelWatts Thank you for your balanced reply, I felt a little uncomfortable making my negative, but honest, comment.
The second angle for impact on line delivery 🤌