I’ve had this wood for a while. I could make it into a nice guitar. It’s not dramatically figured. It is very straight grained, well quartered, which as a luthier, I love. But there is some flame as well.
Update from Valerie
Last year Valerie got a new guitar I built for her. After having it for a year, she seems to be enjoying it.
Hi,
So nice to hear from you. I was just thinking about the fact that I’ve had Carina Nebula for a year now. We have totally bonded. I play in two guitar ensembles plus solo pieces so she gets lots of use. I get a lot of compliments on the sound. The guitar is in great shape (see attached) — I’ve put on a tiny scratch or two but that’s life. Maybe next year, I’ll get you to put on a fresh coat of French polish if that’s something you do? or would recommend?
I hope all is going well for you and looking forward to seeing you at a VCGS concert -we’ve got a great season coming up.
cheers and many thanks again,
Valerie
Homage to 4 guitars and a life of building
Here is a video for lovers of classical guitars. It was made by Antigoni Goni about 4 guitars, each built by Jose Romanillos before his passing. It’s quite a beautiful video, and certainly meaningful to me: I went to Spain to build a guitar in Jose’s workshop in 2004. So I am familiar not only with Jose, but also his widow Marian Winspear, and Gerhard Oldiges who appear in the video. I learned many things in Siguenza Spain. Both guitar and life lessons.
Watch the video.
Flash (back) : A recently found video of Miro and Yvette
Back in June of 2022 I posted a video of William Bajzek playing Bolero by Arcas on a guitar I made in the fall of 2020. Remember 2020? Pandemic. A time of isolation. Not necessary a bad thing for a mostly solitary luthier like me. But, I certainly missed hobnobbing with my guitar friends.
Another video – Same guitar a year earlier.
In May 2021 I got a call from Eric at Pacific Rim Tonewoods, asking if I could show up for a house concert the next day at a house on Lummi Island. In 2021 the first vaccinations were just starting. I got one, so I said yes. (YES!) Miroslav Tadic wanted to play a classical guitar along with some steel string guitars made for Pacific Rim by a guy in Australia (Trevor Gore). So the next day I found myself with my friend Merrilee at Steve McMinn’s house along with a small audience. Here is with Yvette Hazwarth. Nice ensemble.
Pacific Rim Tonewoods – IN CONCERT – Miroslav Tadic & Yvette Holzwart from Pacific Rim Tonewoods on Vimeo.
I wrote about this event more than a year ago, but just found the video! The embedded video starts with Miro playing my guitar, but there are other pieces (steel string guitars) you can see and hear if you like. Worthwhile listening. Miroslav Tadic and Yvette
Here’s a picture Merrilee snapped during the performance. Joy.
Posted in audio, Uncategorized
Tagged Ganz guitar, guitar, Miroslav Tadic, Movingue, movingui, Sunshine, violin, Yvette Hazwarth
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Some Feingold Pictures
As it happens… David Feingold has a recent guitar that I built earlier this year. David’s son, Jacob Feingold, is an accomplished photographer and he took some pictures of his dad with the guitar. They are really nice studies, or perhaps environmental portraits.
For more, please visit jacobfeingold.com
For your consideration:Wood for rosette
Here’s some wood I am considering for use in the rosette of an upcoming guitar.
Bach is Back…
I got a note from Rick, who was counting practice hours to see if he could get to 10,000.
“…I am still counting hours. I wish I were better at it but a good day begins and ends with Bach.”
Thank you Rick, for getting in touch, and for providing the description embedded in the great picture.
NOT attending a festival…
Since the spring of this year, I have been planning to attend the California International Guitar Festival. I’ve done only one festival (in Vancouver, BC – in July) in the last few years and was truly looking forward to it.
Unfortunately I’ve had an illness and death of one family member in the last three weeks. Additionally, another family member is in home hospice comfort care…
I had a couple of nice guitars to share at the show, but attending the festival is just not in the cards.
The illness and death make me sad, along with not attending.
A note on a guitar, from a new owner.
I got this note from the owner of a new guitar Carina Nebula.
… as for Carina Nebula, well I am thrilled by the name and the link to the James Webb telescope. The picture does indeed look like the guitar rosette! How did that come to be…intention? Coincidence? Artistic moment? Everyone who sees my guitar comments on how beautiful it is and when I tell them the name and show them the photo, well, amazed is a good word. I was tied up with the guitar festival and some visitors recently so I’m squeezing in guitar time but the difference in sound and ease of playing is striking. It motivates me to try to play more beautifully (no blaming the guitar any more).
…
Cheers,
Valerie