Toronto's William "Grit" Laskin has been building acoustic instruments since 1971.
Best known as one of the world's foremost inlay artists, Grit painstakingly crafts wildly ornate fingerboard and headstock creations that serve as one-of-a-kind tributes to his clients and their passions.
When he's not building, Grit has also run a record label, performed around North America as a folk artist, and even invented an engraving filler used by fellow luthiers worldwide. In 2012, he was named to the Order Of Canada (C.M.)., Canada’s highest civilian honor.
As if that weren't enough, Grit has just penned a novel. 'The Stradivari Formula' is a thriller filled with intrigue, mystery and even a guitar-related plot. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we hear all about it, the research that went into it, and more.
The Fretboard Journal's Fretboard Summit takes place August 23-25, 2024 at Chicago's Old Town School. This year's Summit features 80 luthiers and exhibitors, including Collings, Martin, Jason Kostal, Frank Bros., Michael Greenfield, and others. Performers include Colin Hay, Blake Mills, and Joe Henry. Register to attend this unforgettable guitar weekend: https://fretboardsummit.org
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54:
https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
This week's show is sponsored by:
StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link)
Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com
(Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order)
Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal
In our 54th issue, Eric Pooley shares the story of Maya de Vitry going solo after her lengthy stint as one third of the Americana band The Stray Birds. It’s a poignant interview about starting from scratch, being vulnerable and taking chances.
On this week’s podcast, we hear even more about Maya’s journey with her collaborator Anthony da Costa. Maya’s new album, The Only Moment, is out now and we get the whole tale of how it developed and was recorded.
The Fretboard Journal's Fretboard Summit takes place August 23-25, 2024 in Chicago. Register to attend this one-of-a-kind guitar camp: https://fretboardsummit.org
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54:
https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
This week's show is sponsored by:
StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link)
Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com
(Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order)
Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal
Today we share an hour-long interview with one of the true greats of guitar-making, John Monteleone.
Collectors and musicians around the world have sought out John's archtop creations, resulting in six-figure price tags, a quartet of guitars at the Met (the Four Seasons), and even a song penned by Mark Knopfler (simply titled, "Monteleone"). He's also the subject of a full-length documentary, The Chisels Are Calling.
As if that isn't enough, nearly 50 of his instruments from throughout his career have been amassed for a very special exhibit at the Long Island Museum entitled "Musical Masterworks: John Monteleone’s Guitars and Other Instruments." The exhibit runs through October 13th, 2024.
https://longislandmuseum.org/exhibition/musical-masterworks-john-monteleones-guitars-and-other-instruments/
From August 1-3, 2024, John also is hosting his own Art of the Guitar Festival in Stony Brook (just a mile away from the aforementioned museum). https://www.thejazzloft.org/monteleone
During our chat, we talk about his early days in lutherie, building instruments and doing repairs for Mandolin Brothers. We chat about the influence of Jimmy D'Aquisto, what inspires him today, his workshop, new models on the horizon, and more.
The Fretboard Journal is proud to announce that we're throwing a guitar festival. Read our 'First Timer's Guide to the Fretboard Summit' to learn all about it: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/a-first-timers-guide-to-the-fretboard-summit
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54:
https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
This week's show is sponsored by:
StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link)
Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com
(Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order)
Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal