Posted on April 23, 2025April 24, 2025 by Dale Phillips Meet the Maker: Kenny Hill Meet the Maker: Kenny Hill by Cyndy Burton Originally published in American Lutherie #90, 2007 I Spoke to the many-faceted Kenny Hill at the 2006 GAL Convention in Tacoma. The previous evening he played Bach’s Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue in C on the magnificent Fritts organ in Lagerquist Hall to a very appreciative audience. How was it that you decided to treat us to a demonstration on the organ? What an opportunity! I’ve played since I was about ten. My dad taught me and I did a little child-prodigy year, when I was ten or eleven years old. On a church organ? Yeah; in a Baptist church. My dad was real involved in church, and he made us be real involved for our growing-up time. But it wasn’t until college that I got excited about pipe organ. I had learned guitar and played Dylan songs and other stuff. But then I heard the pipe organ and the music of Bach. I thought, “I can really understand that. I can relate to that.” It led to a tremendous amount of work, but I figured that’s what you had to do. 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 July 1, 2024July 9, 2024 by Dale Phillips Questions: Guitar Stand Questions: Guitar Stand by Cyndy Burton Originally published in American Lutherie #67, 2001 Doug Lancaster from cyberspace asks: I’ve been working on the design of a high-end classical guitar stand and have begun to think about marketing it to dealers of classical guitars. Any suggestions? Editor responds: Yes, a quick look through Soundboard magazine (www.guitarfoundation.org), Guitar Review (www.guitarreview.com), and Acoustic Guitar magazine (www.acousticguitar.com), will reveal an unprecedented abundance of dealers. The websites are very handy places to get a feel for the relative values of instruments, too. Here’s a list which is by no means totally inclusive: (By the way, all the websites mentioned in this column are available as links at the GAL page.) Richard Bruné (Evanston, IL) www.rebrune.com Classic Guitars International (Los Angeles, CA area) www.classicguitar.com GSP (Guitar Solo, San Francisco, CA) www.gspguitar.com Guitar Salon International (Santa Monica, CA) www.guitarsalon.com The Guitar Salon (Beverly Maher, NY, NY) www.theguitarsalon.com Guitars International (Armin Kelly, Cleveland, OH) www.guitars-int.com Handpicked Guitars (Rik Jonna, Detroit, MI area) www.handpickedguitars.com Kirkpatrick Studio (Baltimore, MD) www.kirkpatrickguitar.com Pioneer Music (Portland, OR) www.pioneermusicco.com Rare and Fine Guitars (Bruce Banister, Jefferson, IA) www.classicalguitarnet.com Jerry Roberts Guitars (Nashville, TN) www.lamancha.com Rosewood Guitar (Seattle, WA) www.halcyon.com/rosewood Santa Fe Guitar Works (Santa Fe, NM) http://santafeguitar.com Trilogy Guitars (John Silva, Los Angeles, CA) www.trilogyguitars.com Dan Zeff Guitars (Los Angeles, CA) www.dzguitars.com
Posted on June 6, 2024January 16, 2025 by Dale Phillips Questions: Metal Dobro Questions: Metal Dobro by Cyndy Burton Originally published in American Lutherie #82, 2005 Richard Davis from cyberspace asks: I would like to find a source for plans to build a metal Dobro, and the parts that I cannot make. Cyndy Burton of Portland, OR answers: The GAL doesn’t have a Dobro plan, but Stew-Mac does: www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Plans.html. They carry parts, too. Also, you might check out www.beardguitars.com/blueprints.html for plans and parts. The Guild has published several articles on making Dobro or resonator guitars. Go to www.luth.org, select abstracts, and search for “\guitar\resophonic.” ◆
Posted on June 6, 2024January 16, 2025 by Dale Phillips Questions: Stringed Instrument Tone Questions: Stringed Instrument Tone by Cyndy Burton Originally published in American Lutherie #82, 2005 Jason Kirby of cyberspace asks: I'd love to start learning how to create stringed instruments with a gorgeous tone. What advice would you give a beginner who doesn't know the first thing? Cyndy Burton of Portland, OR responds: This is still the number one question I get, and I bet lots of you get this one, too. I hope my brief answer is helpful. Go to https://luth.org/about-us/frequently-asked-questions/. Your question is answered there a couple different ways. My quick answer is that it depends on how you learn best, how quickly you want to learn, and how much time and money you have to invest. There are lots of books and videos available now that make it very possible to start on your own. Some people prefer to take a course, interact, be shown, have a teacher nearby. Schools are excellent for that, but, of course, have a bigger price tag. ◆
Posted on June 6, 2024January 16, 2025 by Dale Phillips Questions: Guitar Insurance Questions: Guitar Insurance by Cyndy Burton Originally published in American Lutherie #82, 2005 Garrett Burton of Portland, OR asks: I’m planning to pick up repair work from guitar stores and work in my home shop. I’ve been told I need insurance for the guitars when they are in my possession as well as liability insurance. What can I expect to pay per month? Cyndy Burton (no relation) of Portland, OR responds: The only business insurance I’m aware of designed for musical instrument businesses is Heritage Insurance Services (215-322-8705; his@heritage-ins-services.com; www.heritage-ins-services.com/national.htm). The cost will depend on many factors, but in my experience, it is reasonable and well worth it.
