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Meet the maker - Leila Sidi of Tunatone Instruments

Meet the maker - Leila Sidi of Tunatone Instruments

If you've followed the Home of Tone for any length of time, I'm sure you'll have noticed my admiration & appreciation of luthiers who forge their own path through guitar design and their approach to building. I love seeing a luthier display influences from outside of the guitar world, and I particularly love to see a designer & builder's own personality apparent in their final works. After all, so many of those early guitar designs that have been coveted so much since their inception started this way, with perhaps Leo Fender being one of the greatest examples of this. His iconic designs originated from the mind of a non-musician, a designer and inventor who felt like he could contribute to the music world, and that he certainly did. So with that being said, we still need those people who think ahead, the people who wish to think outside of the traditional box whilst being respectful of it to help keep the guitar world exciting and innovative. Someone who has appeared to me to encapsulate that from following her work for a while now, has been Leila Sidi of Tunatone Instruments. So it seemed fitting for me to get back to my 'meet the maker' blog series by reaching out to Leila and speaking about her work!
04 December, 2019 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Guitar design Guitar maker Guitar makers Interview Leila Sidi Leila Sidi Tunatone Luthier Luthier interview Meet the maker Mid Century Mid-Century design Tunatone Instruments
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Meet the... makers? - Chad & Devin of Jennings Guitars

Meet the... makers? - Chad & Devin of Jennings Guitars

Originality, and familiarity. Often something that's very hard to capture well. But it's something I've always felt Jennings Guitars have managed with their instruments. There's a real sense of familiarity with the aesthetic, they have a classic look but in no means do they replicate. They've always caught my eye for this reason, and have enjoyed following their work for some time now. 

Chad Jennings reached out to me in the early parts of this year and we spoke on the phone a number of times which was great to be able to do with someone on the other side of the world. What struck me was firstly their passion for what they do, but also through discussing methods and ideas that they have an incredibly high attention to detail which shown that the beautiful photos of their instruments, branding and way they present themselves and their work is absolutely no fluke. This is their strong vision on what they want Jennings to be, and it's been a great experience learning more about that. It got me thinking, we need to do a Meet the Maker for these guys! But, being the first 2 man team I've considered interviewing, I thought it was important to involve them both so both Chad and Devin joined me for this and share their thoughts and processes on all things Jennings!
14 October, 2018 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Blog Californian guitar company Chad Jennings Guitar Guitar blog Guitar maker Guitar makers Interview Jennings Guitar Jennings Guitars Jennings Guitars interview Luthier interview Meet the maker Meet the makers
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Meet the maker - Florian Bouyou of Millimetric Instruments.

Meet the maker - Florian Bouyou of Millimetric Instruments.

The work of Florian Bouyou first came to the attention by the tip off from a friend via the visual social world of Instagram. I wanted to note this in particular as the visual aspect of that media platform is reflective of what perhaps demands your attention when first gazing upon a Millimetric Instrument. Handbuilt in Canada by Florian, A hypnotically simplistic style and design greets you, and it is clear that there are so many more influences than just the guitar world behind these instruments and the Millimetric brand aesthetic.. I was really keen to learn more about that. I've personally been infatuated ever since, keen to see more of his work and to learn more of the brand, so I knew at some point I had to get Florian involved in my Meet the maker interview series. Luckily for me, Florian was happy to speak with me! So let's delve in, as I'm itching to learn more!
02 March, 2018 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Florian Schneider Florian Schneider interview guitar maker home of tone home of tone blog luthier luthier interview meet the maker meet the maker interviews millimetric millimetric guitars Millimetric instruments millimetric interview
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Meet the maker - An Appetite for Perfection, John Ambler of Ambler Custom Guitars

Meet the maker - An Appetite for Perfection, John Ambler of Ambler Custom Guitars

Over the years of playing the guitar, one thing that has increasingly sparked my interest almost more than playing in some instances is the skill of a great luthier and the work they create. 
One which really stood out to me, was UK luthier John Ambler of Ambler Custom Guitars. From the rough and ready 'Junk Yard Dog' model featuring a real metal coating, full of character and patina, to the absolutely stunning figured woods used on a range of his other models. John is truly a maker to watch, as already early on in his career, the quality of work is right up there with the very best and often surpasses!
In our series of Meet the Maker interviews, we caught up with John to chat about his work!
11 June, 2017 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Ambler Custom Guitars Ambler Guitars Ambler Interview British guitar luthier british guitar maker British guitars british luthier British made guitar british made guitars Guitar Guitar Builder Guitar maker Handmade Interview John Ambler John Ambler Guitars John ambler interview Luthier Made in the UK Meet the Maker Peak District UK guitar maker
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Meet The Maker - Social Distortion to Luthiery, a chat Drew Walsh of Walsh Guitars

Meet The Maker - Social Distortion to Luthiery, a chat Drew Walsh of Walsh Guitars

I began to notice a bit of a transition in the guitar market over over the last few years. One that saw guitar buyers yearning for something a little different to the norm. Instrument designs that perhaps break the conventional molds, and I think the times we are in at the moment, those alternative choices available have never been better. 
02 September, 2016 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Boutique boutique guitars Guitar Blog Guitar Build Guitar Mag Guitar magazine guitar maker Guitar Talk Guitarists Anonymous Home of Tone Home of Tone Blog Home of Tone Doxa Home of Tone Walsh Guitar Home of Tone Walsh Guitars James' Home of Tone James' Home of Tone Blog Japanese Guitar Les Paul Les Paul Custom Live Music luthier luthier interview mcnelly McNelly Pickups UK Music Blog Product Test Relic Strat Stratocaster Sunburst Telecaster tonemob Walsh Walsh Demo Walsh DOXA Walsh Guitar Walsh Guitar Demo Walsh Guitars Walsh Guitars Doxa Walsh Guitars Review Walsh Tele Walsh Telecaster
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