Posted on January 11, 2010May 28, 2025 by Dale Phillips Review: Acquired of the Angels by Paul William Schmidt Review: Acquired of the Angels by Paul William Schmidt Reviewed by Linda Manzer Originally published in American Lutherie #59, 1999 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Five, 2008 Acquired of the Angels Paul William Schmidt Scarecrow Press, 1998 ISBN 1578860024 In the fall of 1983 I had the good fortune to be invited to study in the shop of James D’Aquisto. I confess that while I knew James D’Aquisto was a respected and famous archtop builder, I didn’t know the half of it when I walked through those doors the first time. As I worked side by side with him, listening to his stories, watching him work, and watching various characters in his life come through the doors of his workshop, I realized I wasn’t just at a workshop but I was witness to a very magical moment in guitar history. The tools, the woods, the layout of the shop, the music we listened to, the stories he told, and most of all his guitars, all were another world for me. These impressions were the groundwork for my own path as an archtop builder and for many other builders. So when I learned that Paul William Schmidt had written Acquired of the Angels: The Lives and Works of Master Guitar Makers John D’Angelico and James L. D’Aquisto I was very curious to see how his impressions would compare with mine. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 11, 2010May 28, 2025 by Dale Phillips Review: Mandolin Magazine Review: Mandolin Magazine Reviewed by Randy Allen Originally published in American Lutherie #60, 1999 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Five, 2008 Mandolin Magazine www.mandolinmagazine.com The premiere issue of Mandolin Magazine announces that this is a quarterly magazine for mandolin players and enthusiasts, welcome news to be sure! There has been much renewed interest in the mandolin of late, and editor Ginny Hollon has done a fine job of presenting us with this new magazine. The magazine is full of articles that are of interest to mandolin players and builders. Luthier Ken Cartwright, whom I met at Wintergrass several years ago, writes a regular column called MandoMedic. This issue had a very informative installment on mandolin bridges. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 11, 2010May 28, 2025 by Dale Phillips Review: Making and Playing Musical Instruments by Jack Botermans, Herman Dewit, and Hans Godefroy Review: Making and Playing Musical Instruments by Jack Botermans, Herman Dewit, and Hans Godefroy Reviewed by David Riggs Originally published in American Lutherie #58, 1999 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Five, 2008 Making and Playing Musical Instruments Jack Botermans, Herman Dewit, and Hans Godefroy University of Washington Press ISBN 0295969482 This book is primarily for hobbyists. Not that one could not find buyers for the kalimbas, alpenhorns, and talharpas made from descriptions to be found in its pages, as such instruments are staples at craft fairs, weekend markets, and other venues for ethnic and folk art. But it just might be of greater use to professionals than is apparent. The urge — or summons — to make something special for a musically inclined friend or relative will eventually strike anyone known to make instruments. Explaining the economic realities of instrument making is embarrassing at best. I have sat in the homes of luthiers in several countries and listened as they played a cheap offshore instrument. Believe me, you are not alone. This book may help provide a solution. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 11, 2010May 28, 2025 by Dale Phillips Review: The Art of Modern Violin Making by Ricardo B. Flores Review: The Art of Modern Violin Making by Ricardo B. Flores Reviewed by Ken Goodwin Originally published in American Lutherie #82, 2005 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Seven, 2015 The Art of Modern Violin Making Ricardo B. Flores CD-ROM www.modernviolins.com I’m a longtime woodworker who has built a few guitars and knows next to nothing about violins. I can’t offer an expert’s analysis of the procedures presented here, but I can give you my opinion of the clarity of the instruction as well as some thoughts about the CD as a medium of information exchange compared to a book. Mr. Flores has set up his CD as a large website. No need to connect to the Internet — it’s all self-contained on the disc — but you view it in your browser and you move around by clicking on links. The typical page has a link at the bottom to move to the next page in sequence or to return home to the index page from where you can get to any section you wish. Within the text of each page various phrases are highlighted. When you click on them you are taken to a photograph illustrating the item being discussed. You go back and forth between photos and text by toggling the “back” button. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 10, 2010May 23, 2025 by Dale Phillips Product Reviews: Dan Erlewine’s Don’t Fret video Product Reviews: Dan Erlewine's Don't Fret video by Harry Fleishman Originally published in American Lutherie #34, 1993 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Three, 2004 Dan Erlewine’s Don’t Fret video and specialized tools Stewart-MacDonald www.stewmac.com I will never forget my first fret job. It was a balmy spring evening; the jasmine were blooming. The year was 1964. We were alone in my bedroom, just me and my Strat. I was an anxious sixteen year old. She was a blonde, born in ’62. This was nine years before I saw a copy of Irving Sloane’s groundbreaking book on repair, so when I decided to fix a few badly worn frets I was on my own. The worst wear was on the 2nd string, 1st fret and the 1st string, 3rd fret; the rest were still pretty good. Out came the soldering gun! No, I wasn’t planning to carefully remove the offending frets for replacement; I was going to fill the grooves with solder! I heated up the frets and flowed a bit of solder on. After they cooled, I smoothed them over with the file on my nail clipper. They looked great and I felt heroic. That is the proper technique, isn’t it? Nearly thirty years later, I know better. I should have used a soldering iron, not a gun. The gun could have demagnetized the pickups! Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
