To make the Montreal Guitar Show a world-class event that lives up to the
expectations of all guitar aficionados, be they exhibitors, luthiers or musicians,
it was necessary to create an advisory board. A committee obviously comprising
the greatest luthiers, but also people as smitten and you and I!
The goal of this advisory board is to pinpoint the expectations and needs
of the international reputation luthiers who will be participating in the Show in order to define what
needs to be put in place to make this event essential to the lutherie community.
The Montreal Guitar Show hopes to position itself as a must-attend event for
all lutherie-lovers, as a strategic show for luthiers themselves, and as a
venue where guitar lovers can gather and make unimagined discoveries about
the object of their affections.
I therefore wish to offer my warmest thanks to the members of this committee
for their delicious mix of expertise and eccentricity, as well as their support,
ideas and wise advice that will all contribute to making the MGS a success!
Introducing the members of the advisory board:
Mario Beauregard
http://www.beauregardguitars.com/
Mario Beauregard first studied at the Roberto Venn School of Lutherie in
Arizona, thanks to a first bursary received from the Conseil des Arts et des
Lettres du Québec. A second bursary gave him the opportunity to perfect
his art in San Francisco and the Napa Valley, with Ervin Somogyi and
Taku Sakasta. Now, every year he makes some 20 instruments, from acoustic
to jazz guitar (flat top to archtop), in the very picturesque historical village
of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu in Quebec.
Bill Comins
http://www.cominsguitars.com/
A musician and luthier who lives in Philadelphia, Bill Comins specializes
in archtop jazz guitars. Recently, he unveiled his new, nylon-string model
and Comins/Alessandro jazz guitar amplifier.
Rick Davis
http://www.vtguitars.com/
According to Rick Davis, it’s the cooperation between musician and artisan
that gives an instrument its personal, unique touch. His pieces—handcrafted
steel-string guitars—are built like all Running Dog guitars, by respecting
proven traditional techniques and enhancing them with technology.
Sergei de Jonge
http://www.dejongeguitars.com/
Balancing structure and classical elegance in the pursuit of superior tone,
Sergei de Jonge is recognized as a master craftsman. He began his career apprenticing
with Jean Larrivee and for the past 36 years has consistently built instruments
of the highest caliber. Innovation plays an important role in the evolution
of his guitars; each crafted to best suit the distinctive needs of the individual
player. Sergei french polishes all of his instruments, achieving the finest
finish while improving tone with all natural ingredients. Sergei dedicates
much of his time to passing on his knowledge through the guitar making courses
he teaches. It is a testament to his ability that many of his former
students have established themselves as successful luthiers.
Charles Fox
http://www.charlesfoxguitars.com/
Pioneer American guitar maker Charles Fox’s 40 years of experience have
earned him an international reputation as a luthier, designer, consultant,
and educator. His original design concepts and building techniques have been
adopted by manufacturers and luthiers around the world. In 2002, Charles Fox
Guitars moved to Portland, OR where Charles continues to build custom classical
and steel string guitars for a worldwide clientele of musicians and collectors
in his one-man shop.
Oskar Graf
http://www.grafguitars.com/
With around 400 instruments to his credit, Oskar Graf has solid lutherie experience!
Inspired by the European tradition, he makes, with unsurpassed attention to
detail, guitars with faultless lines and irrefutable elegance.
Michael Greenfield
http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/
Guitars made by Michael Greenfield, which are specifically adapted to the
needs of all breeds of guitarist, regardless of musical style, offer a myriad
of sound, colour and texture possibilities. His creations (archtop jazz guitars
with steel or nylon strings) thrill the greatest names in music, including Pat
Martino and Keith Richards.
Peter Hopkins
http://www.hopkinsguitars.com/
According to the big-name store Buffalo Bros. Guitars and Downbeat
Magazine, Peter Hopkins’ guitars, with their impeccable design
and perfect resonance, rank among the best on the market, especially his
creations: the Contessa and the Monarch.
Michael Lewis
http://www.michaellewisinstruments.com/
When his work caught the attention of D’Angelico Guitars (to
the point that he alone has had the right to use the New York luthier’s
name since his death), Michael Lewis was hired to produce replicas of their
famous archtop jazz guitars.
Linda Manzer
http://www.manzer.com
Linda Manzer has decidedly changed
the face of lutherie with her revolutionary concepts, like the body of the Wedge guitar,
and the sitar and harp guitars, including the 42-string Pikasso guitar.
Adopted by musicians such as Pat Metheny, Bruce Cockburn and Carlos Santana,
her models are also on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the
Museum of Civilization... and the MGS!
John Monteleone
http://www.monteleone.net/
Considered one of the best luthiers in the world, John Monteleone revealed
some of his masterpieces, including a small travel guitar, Il Bambino; the
Rocket, an 18” archtop guitar; and the Grand Artist mandolin, a rare
piece equipped with a Side-SoundTM system.
Tom Ribbecke
http://www.ribbecke.com/
In addition to making his guitars in his California workshop, Tom Ribbecke,
president of the famous ASIA (Association of String Instrument Artisans),
teaches the art of the archtop and is involved in just about everything that
has to do with lutherie! One of his pieces is the Duet, an acclaimed guitar
made in collaboration with another famous artisan, Linda Manzer.
Ervin Somogyi
http://www.esomogyi.com/
Ervin Somogyi has been making guitars
for more than 40 years and is one of the most prominent and highly respected
of first-generation American luthiers. He is known internationally,
through both his exemplary guitarmaking and his decades-long career as lecturer,
designer, teacher, and author of dozens of articles on all aspects of instrument
making and history. He is planning to bring along two completed steel-string
guitars, as well as some samples of current (but unfinished) work, for display.
Jeff Traugott
http://www.traugottguitars.com/
The guitars of Californian Jeff Traugott, with their classic lines and
natural elegance, are designed as the perfect complement to musicians’ needs.
Thus unique, they express this luthier’s desire to attain the highest
standards in his art, as witnessed in his superb R model, crafted from Brazilian
rosewood and German spruce.