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| Modern Guitars Magazine - News Archive Updated : Sugiyama Asks: Why Do People Buy Expensive Guitars? The less than upbeat state of the world's economies doesn't seem to have dampened the widespread interest in vintage guitars; the buying and selling, maybe, the interest, no. For those with the fever who find their guitar budget tightening, Modern Guitars magazine columnist Saiichi Sugiyama reminds us that some vintage instruments have an allure often overshadowed by concerns about investment potential: they play well, sound great, and the ugly ducklings in the category might be a bargain. In his latest article, "Why Do People Buy Expensive Guitars?", Sugiyama chronicles a shopping expedition in a well-stocked Tokyo guitar store where he meets two old Gibson electrics, one with a broken neck repair, the other a botched converion attempt, and both completely refinished and lacking original parts. Old, yes, collectible, no, but each had a unique charm. More » Artist Creates Custom Guitar Sculptures from Recycled License Plates Cary, North Carolina, resident Peter Geiger has found a way to unite two of his passions, cars and music, by creating actual-sized guitar sculptures that incorporate old automobile license plates. A long time guitar aficionado and car enthusiast, artistic inspiration struck during a home jam session when Geiger's eyes fell on his own old plates hanging on the wall. Combining elements of both wood and metalworking, Geiger now creates his guitar sculptures for custom orders. Each piece is unique and customers can choose the style and license plates that suit them. "Sometimes people say, 'I live in Texas and I'm moving to Louisiana. Can you make a guitar with these?'" says Geiger, and he transforms them into a piece of visual art that has special meaning to the customer. "Others" he continues, "bring me their license plates and say, 'Here, I don't need them, you use them. Make something special." More » Taylor Guitars Celebrates 35th Anniversary Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, California, has announced the introduction of limited edition models in celebration of its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor (who at the time had not yet turned 20), Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer and originally named Westland Music Company, by the end of its inaugural year the company could boast three employees, the production of six instruments, and having overcome several hurdles, including its original facility. "That place was so bad," says Listug. "The roof leaked like crazy, and whenever it rained, the place flooded. It rained hard the night before we opened [October 15, 1974], so we spent the entire morning of our first day in business trying to get as much water out of there as we could." Bob Taylor recalls the spirit of the company's early days: "When it flooded, we'd take all the sawdust that we'd already swept up, and sprinkle it around the floor to soak up the water. It made the place even more of a pig sty. But it was fun. What did we know? We were just kids. Somehow, we'd skirted having to get real jobs. We didn't have a boss, we were making guitars. What could be better?" More » Dr. Brad DeRoche Talks about the Interlochen Arts Camp Dr. Brad DeRoche is one of the hardest working guitarists you will ever meet. He is regarded as a world-class classical guitarist who maintains a busy performance schedule of concerts and clinics every year. DeRoche is also one of the most sought after classical guitar educators in the Midwest and he holds teaching positions at Delta College, Central Michigan University and the Interlochen Arts Camp. On top of all of these commitments, DeRoche is the co-owner of the highly successful company, Strings by Mail. Currently teaching in his second season at the Interlochen Arts Camp, DeRoche took time from working with his students to talk to us about the Interlochen experience and the many projects in which he is currently involved. More » Guitar Luthier John Page and the Story of 016, Part Two Modern Guitars columnist John Page continues his photo chronicle of the creation of a new piece of electric guitar functional art in The Story of 016, Part Two. Page, who co-founded the Fender Custom Shop and who has been a leading proponent of how and why the contemporary electric guitar can serve a dual role as both working instrument (functional) and the source of visual pleasure (art), has pursued a career in fine art after leaving Fender, creating a number of successful art gallery-level wood-based sculptures. After a hiatus from guitar building, Page re-entered the field in 2006 with his completely hand-built custom line, the P-1. The Story of 016 discusses how Page's new twist on the P-1 incorporates his love of both finely built custom guitars and fine art. The client who commissioned the 016 asked Page if it could somehow serve as both a high-end guitar and a piece of art. "For me," says Page, "this is the best of all worlds, mix my two great passions, guitars and visual art!" More » Increased Website Traffic |