Home of Tone Blog
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!
Jennings luthier stories...
Jennings Guitars have a really interesting couple of new videos out, of both Chad and Devin talking through their love of building guitars. These guys show real passion for what they do, and ultimately that comes through in their instruments. For those in the UK keen to try a Jennings Guitar out for themselves, then you're in luck. As two guitars from the guys will be arriving soon and you can come and try them out! If you're in the London area too, we'll be at the London International Guitar Show after the summer, and if they haven't sold already I'll have them with me at the show!
The Fretboard Journal - Interview with Florian of Millimetric
I always enjoy reading interviews with luthiers, and it's always great to delve into their world especially when their work is offered here in my store. I've just read through this great interview with Florian of Millimetric, one of our latest brands to join the Home of Tone, with the brilliant Fretboard Journal!
Well worth a read. Check out the interview HERE
Well worth a read. Check out the interview HERE
Jennings Guitars 2018 video teaser
I've just caught this teaser video from the guys at Jennings Guitars and it has only further increased my level of excitement about the two guitars they have built for us here at the Home of Tone. It won't be too long before they arrive, so this teaser couldn't be more apt for me!
A new name to the Home of Tone family, Ground Control Audio!
Ground Control Audio caught my eye after seeing a few videos over on one of my favourite demo channels, Living Room Gear Demos, and I had to learn more about these beautiful looking enclosures.
Turns out the owner of GCA, Sebastien, is good friends with another of the brands we represent here at the Home of Tone, Florian of Millimetric! So the connection was a natural one, and after some browsing I ordered Sebastien's 'Blood Oath' low/mid gain overdrive pedal for my own pedal board. After speaking with Seb, we decided to work together in business meaning the awesome GCA pedals are now available here in the UK, at James' Home of Tone!
Turns out the owner of GCA, Sebastien, is good friends with another of the brands we represent here at the Home of Tone, Florian of Millimetric! So the connection was a natural one, and after some browsing I ordered Sebastien's 'Blood Oath' low/mid gain overdrive pedal for my own pedal board. After speaking with Seb, we decided to work together in business meaning the awesome GCA pedals are now available here in the UK, at James' Home of Tone!
Rumblings from California...
I've been super excited about the Jennings Guitars builds that Chad and Devin have been working on for us here in the UK, and today saw the first teasing glimpse of one of the guitars at the final stage. Oh my! It's a stunning semi hollow Voyager model, with a pair of McNelly 'StaggerTron' and 'Sparkletron' pickups, mastery bridge and trem and a wonderfully finished guitar in a mid stain with binding. I'm in love already. Keep posted for more information about this guitar, and Jennings in general!
Holy Grail Show Feature - Millimetric Instruments
I think I can quite comfortably say, that the Holy Grail Guitar Show is the one true home to the boutique guitar world. Every one of the 130+ luthiers exhibiting over the course of the two sunny Spring days in Berlin were providing a masterclass in quality craftsmanship and innovative design. To me, one of those luthiers helping provide a fresh take on guitar design and building techniques, was Florian Schneider of Millimetric Instruments.
Back in March I interviewed Florian for my 'Meet the Maker' series and it only further deepened my intrigue into his work. To many, the guitars look like the hybrid of simplistic Scandinavian furniture, Travis Bean guitars and to some I've heard say, Danelectro too. But the natural instinct to 'pigeon hole' the aesthetic style of these instruments is almost overshadowed by Florian's incredibly well thought out design and attention to detail in every aspect of the build. We talked about his techniques and influences in the interview back in March, so perhaps now it's time to look more specifically at the instruments themselves, and after quite some time adoring these guitars online, it was finally my chance to hold one in my hands. What did I think? Well, let's get to the details and find out.
Back in March I interviewed Florian for my 'Meet the Maker' series and it only further deepened my intrigue into his work. To many, the guitars look like the hybrid of simplistic Scandinavian furniture, Travis Bean guitars and to some I've heard say, Danelectro too. But the natural instinct to 'pigeon hole' the aesthetic style of these instruments is almost overshadowed by Florian's incredibly well thought out design and attention to detail in every aspect of the build. We talked about his techniques and influences in the interview back in March, so perhaps now it's time to look more specifically at the instruments themselves, and after quite some time adoring these guitars online, it was finally my chance to hold one in my hands. What did I think? Well, let's get to the details and find out.
Holy Grail Show Feature - Schorr Guitars - Defying convention.
I love Nicolai's opening sentence on the 'about' section of his website. "I have a strange affection for guitars. Schorr guitars is my way of dealing with it.". I think that is a perfect introduction to delving into his creative instruments and way of approaching the guitar. Nicolai's designs are inviting. I think they ignite curiosity, be it the simplistic shape, petite sizes, exposed wiring components or sliding pickups. This is surely something that can't be passed by, and to me anyway, are as much a work of art as they are a playable instrument, combining almost industrial aesthetics into such a clean style. Heading towards the Holy Grail Show, this was a luthier I was really looking forward to meeting.
Holy Grail Show Feature - Deimel Guitarworks - Creating the next generation of luthier?
I've been to a lot of guitar shows in my time, both as a customer and as an exhibitor, and you think you've seen it all. That is until I walked up to the Deimel table at the Holy Grail Show. What makes it different you ask? The artist painted offsets, vivid colours and crazy pickups? To an extent yes, but ultimately it was the Deimel family that made me smile first. Involving their kids in what the husband and wife team do, came across to me as if it was as important as the guitars themselves. After chatting with them both about it, it would seem this is very much the case. Even giving them their own 'jobs' over the weekend, like official photographer etc, so great! This is more meaningful than just doing cool stuff with your kids, to me this is getting a younger generation excited about the guitar. It's showing them that handmade is important in this day and age, and teaching them what can be created with your hands, tools, materials and probably most recognisable to kids, your imagination. Which clearly is something Frank and Kora at Deimel rely strongly on judging by their creative designs.
Holy Grail Show feature - Tom Sands Guitars - Apprentice to mentor.
The world of high end steel string luthiery is a deep pool of almost unfathomable talent. The bar has been set so high that it's difficult to imagine how you could even begin to be unique, how you could float to the top of that innovative and highly skilled pool. But Tom Sands has managed it, and set about proving it by launching his latest two designs at this year's Holy Grail Guitar Show, both of which wonderfully different to one another only tied by Tom's distinct style coming through and seemingly infinite abilities in luthiery.
Holy Grail Show feature - Jghg - Meeting a Jersey Girl, from Japan
Jghg (Jersey Girl Homemade Guitars) describe their instruments as compositions, and now I have had the honour of holding them in my own hands, I can see why. They're as fluid and creative as a beautiful musical composition, and executed with absolute finesse and perfection. I've been following this 4 luthier team from Japan for a while, out of pure awe for their unique looks. But upon finally seeing the three 'compositions' they had on display at the Holy Grail Guitar Show '18, I don't think I was quite prepared for just how exquisite their work truly is. This is the next level surely?
The most incredible guitar show around the world? Quite possibly...
I'll be putting together some more in depth coverage of my weekend spent at The Holy Grail Guitar Show held in Berlin, which was a mind opening experience. But in the mean time I couldn't help but post this photo which sums up the weekend for me...
Friends, mutual respect and admiration, energy and passion for the guitar and in particular, the craft of guitar making. That is what I've come away from this incredible show feeling, inspired by it all. There's nothing quite like it and it was pretty inspiring seeing such a vast collection of what makes me excited about the guitar some 20+ years on since first getting hooked.
The incredibly talented, Tom Sands Guitars hanging out at the Millimetric Instruments table, getting to know the insane Baritone version of their MGS3 model. The avid follower of my blog will note there have been 'Meet the Maker' interviews by myself on both of these luthiers, so it was great to all get together.
Stay tuned for my full coverage of the event, over on Instagram, Facebook and of course, here too!