For you Guitar fans - Grit Laskin, Luthier.

[devilmaster]

Hey all,

I must admit, I would love to own one of his guitars when I get really good at playing, but at the rate I am developing, I assume he'd be dead, plus I think i'd have to steal to afford one.

But his artistry is amazing. So here is a video for the Bronfman award (one winner in canada each year, for excellence in craft. He is the only instrument maker so far)

http://www.williamlaskin.com/video/BronfmanAwardE.rm

His inlay work is amazing.

http://www.williamlaskin.com/images/large2/4956-14.jpg

http://www.williamlaskin.com/images/large2/09.jpg

http://www.williamlaskin.com/images/large2/11.jpg

Anyways, hope ya like it. check out his website for more...
http://www.williamlaskin.com

[racer2c]

That is very awesome work. I'm sure it's just jaw dropping to see in person.

[Joe in LA]

Wow! I wouldn't wait to get good at playing. That belongs in a glass case on the wall--I'd be afraid to touch it.

[devilmaster]

Wow! I wouldn't wait to get good at playing. That belongs in a glass case on the wall--I'd be afraid to touch it.

One of the east coast folkies i know down here, had a chance to play a Laskin 12 string that belonged to Stan Rogers, and which survived the Air Canada fire disaster in Cincy back in 83. (unfortunately, Stan died on that plane). The 12 string is now kept by Stan's good friend and producer Paul Mills(aka Curly Boy Stubbs).

My bud at first didn't want to play it, and Paul Mills said that if Stan had heard that, he would have gotten mad at him. Guitars are meant to be played, regardless of the beauty of it.

I have heard Laskins played in concert and on CDs, and they sound beautiful. And naturally, not all of them have the intricate ivory/stone/shell/etc inlay work.

Just happened to look around, and 2 are being offered on ebay.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=laskin+guitar&category0=

[oddlycalm]

Guitars are meant to be played, regardless of the beauty of it. Absolutely, but non-musicians don't understand these instruments are living things and putting them in a display case will kill them just as effectively as dropping them off a bridge. This creates some interesting challenges with very rare and expensive instruments.

Years ago the university I was attending purchased Stradivarius and Guarneri violins at auction with money from an endowment. They made the big announcement, pounded their chests in pride, and proclaimed their intention to install state of the art climate controlled security display case thus locking them safely away for all time. ;) They were perplexed and dismayed at the outcry from the music department. The entire episode turned into something resembling a poorly written sitcom as the regents announced they had no intention of letting some 19yr old undergrad play these $150,000 (circa 1970) instruments. Eventually some experts were brought in to confirm this information and explain to the board what had to be done, which resulted in some serious embarrassment and anxiety. Arrangements were eventually made to loan them out to visiting master musicians and all was well for a few years until they were re-sold at a massive profit for the university which apparently wanted out of the rare violin security business. :gomer:

oc

[cartman]

Wow! That is some gorgeous work. I'd still play the heck out of it if I owned one though. I assure you that no guitar I ever bought or will buy will end up in a display case or anything of that ilk. Not nearly as impressive, but I picked one of these up a few years ago and it plays like a dream.

http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/2002/Star-Wars-SW-85DV-small.jpg