Meet the Maker: Don Bradley

by Tom harper

Originally published in American Lutherie #111, 2012



Don Bradley has been active in the music world since he was a teenager, and an active GAL member since the late ’70s. He’s fascinated by the eclectic sounds of music created by different cultures throughout the world, and has continually sought out the musicians and instrument builders responsible in order to gain a better understanding of how the sounds are produced. Additionally, he is an electrical engineer and is interested in alternative energy and sustainable agriculture. I was able to sit down with Don at the 2011 GAL Convention and discuss his interesting life in which he attempts to keep all these balls in the air. Here’s a glimpse into the life of one of the Guild’s more colorful characters.

Can you tell me about your music interests as you grew up?

I grew up in California until 1965 when my dad, who worked for Bethlehem Steel in South San Francisco, was transferred to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I spent my last two years of high school there. When I was a senior, a fellow student wanted to go up to the Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth, which was just eleven miles away. I was fascinated by the instruments I saw during the tour. I was already into folk music, playing guitar and banjo, doing Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul, and Mary stuff.