Talking Guitar

S4E2. Jake Menear of JKM Guitars

“With acoustics, I find there's a lot more levels to it, a lot more different details you can refine and tweak...it's all down to you, really, to get the best out of a piece."
Jake Menear took the formal and studious approach to guitar making, going from a three-year university guitar making program in London on to a masters, which allowed him to explore some of the outer reaches of guitar design with Fred Carlson's Sympitar. Following that, he found himself in George Lowden's workshop in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, where he honed his production skills, learned from fellow builders, and refined his own style during his seven-year stint. With so much experience under his belt by the time the pandemic hit, he was ready to pivot and launch JKM Guitars! Since then, he's found a receptive audience for his beautifully crafted acoustics and electrics, putting them in the hands of gigging players, collectors, and passionate amateurs alike.
Learn more about JKM Guitars: https://jkmguitars.com
Available guitars: 485w Adirondack Spruce & Honduras Rosewood, 485w Adirondack Spruce & Brazilian Mahogany
Featured musician: Gary Lutton

S4E1. Michel Aboudib

“I always thought that making guitars and listening to them, having the guitar experience, is multi-sensory." Michel Aboudib's approach to guitar-making feels almost synesthetic. Rather than using the usual descriptors for tone, he may use a word like “buttery”, and he is careful to curate the entire sensory experience of his instruments. With a past life that includes work as a director of photography and in the wine trade, academic math studies, and a childhood surrounded by creative and crafty family members, it’s no surprise that he comes at it from such a multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary angle. We discuss the powerful influences of fellow luthiers Chris Morimoto, Jeff Traugott, and Ervin Somogyi (he’s one of his latest apprentices!). We dig into his build philosophy, and touch on the value of a musical friendship like the one he has with Antoine Aubry (featured), who provides constant valuable feedback in addition to playing and photographing Michel’s finished guitars.
Learn more about Aboudib Guitars: https://aboudibguitars.com/
Available guitars: Mod-D "Moon Trout" Cocobolo

S3E13. Grit Laskin

"It feels appropriate to me that when you’re open to other arts, other things in the world, your own creative output is going to be richer and more dimensional because of that.”
Long recognized as one of the leading builders in this new Golden Age of guitar making, Grit Laskin has a reputation that undoubtedly precedes him. Even if you're new to the world of boutique guitars, you've likely heard of the Laskin-style arm bevel or soundport, or been struck by his groundbreaking and exceedingly photogenic inlay work. But as much as he allows his creative and curious mind to use the guitar as a canvas on which to explore, this lifelong performer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist never loses sight of tone and craftsmanship. It's the reason his guitars continue to be so highly regarded among players and builders alike, while his zeal and love for connecting through the arts is what make him endearing to so many.
Watch the video chat and see photos on YouTube.
Learn more about Laskin Guitars
Featured musicians: Stuart Ryan, Lindsay Straw, Carl Miner

S3E12. David Mathis of Gallagher Guitar Co.

Earlier this summer we took a little trip down to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to chat with the wonderful David Mathis of Gallagher Guitars! Though the original founder J.W. Gallagher may have passed on, David with the help of his wife Reina and a fabulous team of builders, and the blessing and input of J.W.'s son Don and his grandson Stephen, is shepherding this legendary shop into a new era. In addition to showing us around, David shared delightful anecdotes and gave us the lowdown on new models and projects in the works.
Watch the interview on YouTube
Learn more about Gallagher Guitar Co: https://gallagherguitar.com/
Available guitars: Grand Concert Classical, G45S 2004, Steve Kaufman 2005
Follow Gallagher on YouTube and Instagram
Featured musicians: Carl Miner and Daniel Lavezzo

S3E11. Zach Lefebvre of TreeHouse

With a family steeped in both traditional music and violin making, Zach Lefebvre’s journey into lutherie was so natural, it almost sounds inevitable as he tells you about it! The young Canadian builder’s instruments are a perfect reflection of his unique life experiences. In addition to studying under the great luthier Sergei de Jonge, Zach draws on inspiration from his years of performing in acoustic settings, uses his aptitude for math and science, and pulls ideas for sustainability into his fabulous acoustic guitars.
Learn more about TreeHouse Guitars: https://www.treehouseguitars.com/
Available guitars: OMZ Honduran Rosewood & Moon Spruce, Ember Series Maple & Salvaged Sitka
Listen to Zach's duo "Wildwood Soul"
Follow Zach on YouTube and Instagram
Featured musicians: Lindsay Straw, Lance Allen, and Seth Plemmons

S3E10. Brice Roggero

"Just joy, every day." That short sentence sums up luthier Brice Roggero's approach to life and to guitar making perfectly! We take the usual deep dive into his path into building, as he shares with us his experience as a primarily self-taught guitar maker. We talk about exploring the wide, untapped (no pun intended) world of alternative tonewoods, the build techniques he uses to achieve his tone, and the subtle importance of visual aesthetics in attracting players and inspiring them daily. See the playlist below for some of Brice's go-to listening in the shop!
Learn more about Roggero Guitars: https://www.roggeroguitars.com/
Available guitars: RGo-M, Malaysian Blackwood & Swiss Moon Spruce
Featured musician: Carl Miner
Brice's playlist:
James Taylor
Gregory Alan Isakov
June Road
Calum Graham
Indie Folk Central

S3E9. Mark Gaiero

From working in the LA film industry to apprenticing with Ervin Somogyi, Mark Gaiero's story is one that blends complementary crafts and disciplines, with everything seeming to dovetail logically into the next project or pursuit. Mark told us all about his journey into guitar making, what he learned from Somogyi and John Greven, plus we dig into his unique focus on alternative tonewoods.
See photos and more here: https://thenorthamericanguitar.com/blogs/news/interview-with-mark-gaiero 
Learn more about Gaiero Guitars: https://www.gaieroguitars.com/
Visit us at http://www.thenorthamericanguitar.com 

S3E8. Dion Guitars

We had a wonderful talk with Canadian builder Dion James, whose guitars are noticeable for the strikingly minimalist design, where the focus is on the true essential and inherent beauty of the instrument. We’ll chat about his time in Quebec learning from and building alongside Michael Kennedy and Jeremy Clark, and about his transition to Alberta where he set up shop crafting his own original guitar designs. He'll also share his experience running a cooperative for a variety of artists and artisans, and talk about balancing life as a farmer and father in addition to guitar maker.
Learn more about Dion Guitars:
http://www.dionguitars.ca 
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Qu-fVPQWXgI 
Visit us at http://www.thenorthamericanguitar.com