garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on May 17, 2013 7:21:18 GMT
Cracking interview - again! These threads are one of the gems of this forum; kind of the 'perfect dessert' to go along with the main course of sharing and general tomfoolery. Gary knows that I've long hankered after one of his Type 2 mandocellos (although I've yet to play it...) Thanks, Gary, for taking the time to answer Keith's questions so fulsomely. So, a question or 2: 1. With Phil Hare, Gary has a player who gets his instruments into the public domain - but it's a fairly limited public! If he were to choose an artist to endorse his work, who would it be and why? 2. Should Gary become a more well-known and 'sort after' maker would he be able to cope with increased demand for his instruments and, if not, what would he do? Take on an apprentice? Increase prices? Develop a waiting list? (that isn't a loaded question - I just wonder how a luthier manages demand!) 1. Phil is an exceptional player and apart from his appearances in folk clubs, in the UK, Europe and the USA, his videos on YouTube are much watched and greatly admired, so his guitar does get a lot of exposure and more importantly exposure to the type of players who are potential Nava owners. I’m not a great believer in endorsements; they normally involve a manufacturer giving their product away to someone who will readily drop you when the next good offer comes along. Phil paid the going rate for his guitar as did megastar Matt Bellamy. 2. “Well-known and 'sort after' maker” eh? I’ve long come to realise that being well-known or sort after has little to do with talent or quality but more to do with trends and luck. The world is full of highly talented craftsman, artists, musicians, writers, actors etc. who do what they do for the love of it and will never gain the recognition that they deserve. As I said in the interview, I like to work on every aspect of the instrument myself, so I couldn’t foresee a time when I would take on anyone to help me in the workshop other than my son or grandson, if they so wished. The waiting list would get longer (currently 9 to 10 months- the shortest it’s been for many years, due to the current economic situation), I’d work longer hours and yes, probably nudge the prices up to a more realistic level.
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on May 17, 2013 7:19:49 GMT
Gary, A couple of questions for you. Apart from a carved top mandolin are there any instruments you haven't made yet that you have a real wish to make at some stage either for yourself or as a commission? Which instrument creation/collaboration has given you the most satisfaction and why? The carved top mandolin is a “must do” my flat-tops are great for most types of music but I’d like to make something that might appeal to bluegrass players too. Apart from that, I have a mental list of a couple of my “Standard Plus” mandolins that I want to build, using some interesting tonewood combinations; one figured maple and redwood and using quite a lot of snakewood and another with a macassar ebony body and a wenge neck, so everything apart from the top looks black. An octave mandolin is also on the cards and ideally a commission would kick-start that one! Can’t really answer the second one- I tend to put everything into whatever I do- always have done, always will- it’s personality trait! The instrument currently on the bench always tends to be my favourite!
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on May 2, 2013 16:00:06 GMT
We went last year and had a great time. Fantastic way to see so many people and excellent value too.
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Apr 28, 2013 15:37:50 GMT
Dave, Be interested to hear how you get on with the K&K. I’ve only used one, once and found it a bit too microphonic for the comparatively thin soundboard of a flat-top mandolin. Cheers Gary PS. Looking forward to seeing that tailpiece!
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Apr 27, 2013 16:31:29 GMT
Glad to see that you're looking at British made instruments!
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