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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!
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!
Meet the maker - Mike Wiltshire of Odessa Guitars

Meet the maker - Mike Wiltshire of Odessa Guitars

I feel this is an exciting time to be a fan of guitar design. Sure, there have been many pivotal moments in time where the guitar excelled through both technology and music generational influence too. But for me, we should be thankful for what is happening at the moment, with a rise of the 'boutique' guitar maker paving the way for outside of the box thinking which even the big name manufacturers are paying attention too. 

I've highlighted a few through this interview series who have certainly began to make their mark in the modern guitar world, and have helped fueled my passion and excitement for the business and industry currently. I'm happy to say that one of them, Mike Wiltshire of Odessa Guitars, has agreed to an interview here on the Home of Tone blog!

Odessa Guitars are simplistic in their beauty, with great lines, offset inspired shapes and display Mike's obvious love for guitar making. I'm really glad we could do this interview, and looking forward to learning more about his great, UK based guitar brand!
Meet the maker - Nicolai of Schorr Guitars

Meet the maker - Nicolai of Schorr Guitars

In recent years, I've really craved the unique. The guitar is a wonderful tool and outlet for musical creativity, but as the years go by and I see more and more of the same iconic guitars hanging in shops and at guitar shows, my desire to seek out 'different' is really becoming an obsession. The guitar has become more than just a tool for musical creativity to me. I was introduced to Nicolai's guitars by Florian of Millimetric Instruments, and I was captivated by the design and unique approach to every detail. It was clear there was more than just a guitar based background in Nicolai's designs and after being lucky enough to attend the Holy Grail Guitar Show this year and seeing his guitars in person, I knew I had to get him involved in my 'Meet the maker' series to learn more. So I welcome Nicolai Schorr of Schorr Guitars!
Meet the maker - Tom Sands

Meet the maker - Tom Sands

This series is somewhat self indulgent of me, I love discovering brands and guitar makers I've not come across prior, including that of the aspects of guitars I'm perhaps not familiar with either. I enjoy hearing about all the different luthiers approaches and influences, from a guitar geeks perspective it's really quite insightful. But one thing the series was lacking so far, was an acoustic guitar maker's thoughts.

Rewind about a year, and Nick Pourfard of Prisma Guitars asked me if I knew Tom Sands, an acoustic guitar maker friend of his. I hadn't sadly, and to my surprise he was UK based, and I was hooked instantly after a look at his website and media content. You could tell there was more than just guitars that Tom was influenced by. Super clean designs, that seemed to balance beautifully between pure functionality and getting the very best from each aspect of the instrument, to being incredibly aesthetically pleasing and unique. Over the course of the time first hearing of Tom's work, to speaking with him a little over social media, I knew he had to be the first acoustic guitar maker to join the Meet the Maker series and luckily he was keen too! So let's find out more about Tom, his influences, processes and work...
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!
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.