Check it out:
www.melbourneguitarmakersfestival.com
Melbourne Guitar Makers Festival
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Bob Connor
- Admin
- Posts: 3126
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:43 pm
- Location: Geelong, Australia
- Contact:
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jackspira
- Kauri
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:08 pm
- Location: Dandenongs, Melbourne
- Contact:
Thanks martin! For putting up a link, and for emailing the note to remind me to look at this forum, its really become a great one! Congratulation Bob. I'm a very intermittent poster I'm afraid to say.
The makers festival is being organised by me and Phil Crickmore and Jim Matheas and Sachar Amos mostly at the moment. We've never tired anything like this before and we are flying by the seat of our pants! So far its going well I think and should be a good show.
We've deliberatly not taken on too much for the first go, kept it simple- a two day exhibition of guitars and a concert in the evening. With the amount of people affering to play I think we will also have a nice range of acoustic performances during the day at the exhibition. The rooms we have at the convent are in a giant L shape, so the foot of the L will make a nice performance space with the exhibition in the long section of the L if that makes sence. If it goes well, we will hopefully make it into an annual event and see what it might evolve into.
We will be on local ( Melbourne) ABC 774 in the evening of the 7th of May on the Derek Guille show, about an hour of discussion and playing dedicated to the history and culture of guitar making. Anyone interested in hearing this I think can stream on the internet if you're not in Melbourne.
Should be an interersting talk with Ian Watchorn, who is an very fine and knowledgeable maker of the early instrument. Ian Noyce, one of the longest serving Austrlain makers who will have a good perspective about the local culture, as will Phil Crickmore, another stallwart of the craft. Sam Lemann will also come along, with Steve Magnussen I think, to give us some tunes.
Here's some pics of what I'm working on for the show for interests sake. They are not looking thier best at the moment, having just come out of the spray room. I still have a couple of weeks to go, so hopefully enough time for the lacquer to harden off and get them finished for the show.
One is my S3 model, Indain rosewood/ Euro spruce and Ash neck. The other is my S4 model, WA Sheoak and Sitka spruce, with birdseye ash neck and seahorse on the 12th fret.
Thanks again Martin and Bob!
The makers festival is being organised by me and Phil Crickmore and Jim Matheas and Sachar Amos mostly at the moment. We've never tired anything like this before and we are flying by the seat of our pants! So far its going well I think and should be a good show.
We've deliberatly not taken on too much for the first go, kept it simple- a two day exhibition of guitars and a concert in the evening. With the amount of people affering to play I think we will also have a nice range of acoustic performances during the day at the exhibition. The rooms we have at the convent are in a giant L shape, so the foot of the L will make a nice performance space with the exhibition in the long section of the L if that makes sence. If it goes well, we will hopefully make it into an annual event and see what it might evolve into.
We will be on local ( Melbourne) ABC 774 in the evening of the 7th of May on the Derek Guille show, about an hour of discussion and playing dedicated to the history and culture of guitar making. Anyone interested in hearing this I think can stream on the internet if you're not in Melbourne.
Should be an interersting talk with Ian Watchorn, who is an very fine and knowledgeable maker of the early instrument. Ian Noyce, one of the longest serving Austrlain makers who will have a good perspective about the local culture, as will Phil Crickmore, another stallwart of the craft. Sam Lemann will also come along, with Steve Magnussen I think, to give us some tunes.
Here's some pics of what I'm working on for the show for interests sake. They are not looking thier best at the moment, having just come out of the spray room. I still have a couple of weeks to go, so hopefully enough time for the lacquer to harden off and get them finished for the show.
One is my S3 model, Indain rosewood/ Euro spruce and Ash neck. The other is my S4 model, WA Sheoak and Sitka spruce, with birdseye ash neck and seahorse on the 12th fret.
Thanks again Martin and Bob!
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sebastiaan56
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1279
- Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:23 am
- Location: Blue Mountains
Inspirational stuff Jack, I love WA Sheoak and that B/E Ash neck is quite incredible. Got any of that laying around??? Would love to match a neck of that up with a set of ambrosia striped Black Limba I have. It would be a perfect marriage 
Oh, and great work on the seahorse as well, all class that.
Cheers
Kim
Oh, and great work on the seahorse as well, all class that.
Cheers
Kim
guitarmakers festival
Hi all
I accidently found out about this a month ago.
Theresa (my lovely lady) and I will be there all day and night on saturday to pick brains as much as possible , to meet likeminded people and to enjoy guitarmusic. I do expect millions of people to attend !
Hope to meet you.
Regards
Ted
I accidently found out about this a month ago.
Theresa (my lovely lady) and I will be there all day and night on saturday to pick brains as much as possible , to meet likeminded people and to enjoy guitarmusic. I do expect millions of people to attend !
Hope to meet you.
Regards
Ted
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Dennis Leahy
- Blackwood
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- Location: Duluth, MN, US
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Stephen Kinnaird
- Blackwood
- Posts: 287
- Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:45 pm
- Location: Texas, USA
So we're now in countdown mode for this one now.
5 more sleeps.
Is anyone else going along on the Saturday ?
I'm catching up with Tim Spittle whilst there and hope to catch a few more
of you fellow ANZLFers.
Looking forward to seeing some stunning builds and meeting up with a few
people along the way.
Cheers, Stu
5 more sleeps.
Is anyone else going along on the Saturday ?
I'm catching up with Tim Spittle whilst there and hope to catch a few more
of you fellow ANZLFers.
Looking forward to seeing some stunning builds and meeting up with a few
people along the way.
Cheers, Stu
Latest update from Jack. Phone numbers and email addresses have been pruned from original email:
Hello Email List!
late news on the Festival - we have a couple of welcome extras exhibiting, Dave Churchill and James Keith.
The full exhibitor list is now -
Sachar Amos
Sachar Amos is a maker and restorer of stringed musical instruments. Sachar began his career in 1994 in the violin making workshop of John D Ferwerda and later studied stringed instrument making with Paul Doyle in Galway, Ireland. Since returning to Australia in 1999, Sachar has worked with some of Melbournes finest stringed instrument makers and has established a professional workshop from his home in The Basin.
Tim Kill
Tim specialises in one off custom designs .He works closely with customers to conceive and create a unique instrument  ideally suited to there physically, ascetically and musically needs.
Web www.timkillcustom.com
Phillip Carson Crickmore
Carson Crickmore Guitars treads the middle path between technology and tradition, never allowing the innovation of the former to compromise the individuality of the latter.
Web <http>www.carson-crickmoreguitars.com.au
Jim Matheas Guitars
As a luthier I place great importance in making the most responsive guitars for musicians.
My instruments are light weight with a clear and balanced tone, long sustain, accurate intonation and are finally setup to suit the individuals playing style.
Web<http>www.matheasguitars.com.au
David Churchill
David Churchill is one of Australia's leading steel string flat top guitar makers, established over 30 years.
All guitars are hand built by David Churchill, using only aged timbers and specializing in cedar tops with Indian rosewood back and sides
Web www.churchillguitars.com
Dan Robinson
Dan makes beautiful and original instruments using unique Australian timbers like King Billy pine and Blackwood. He is also well known for his hand carved mini upright basses.
Peter Daffy
Peter is not only a great guitar maker, he is also in demand as a player. He makes superb flat top steal string guitars, as well as mandolins and mandocellos. He has worked with the great mandolin maker Steve Gilchrist and brings a similar uncompromising attention to detail to his guitars.
Jack Spira
Trained in London in the late 1980's, Jack Spira has been working in Australia since 1991 and in the Melbourne area since 1999.
Web www.jackspiraguitars.com
Joe Gallacher
Although Joe‚s guitar design and construction methods are constantly being improved it is still down to the hands, the chisels, the feel and the quality of the timber. This is where the art of the guitar maker comes in to his own and one should hear and feel the difference in a hand made guitar.
Web <http>www.gallacherguitars.com
Ian Watchorn
Ian makes instruments in all historical styles: French, English, Italian, North & South German, Polish, etc. All are either close copies of extant originals or generic instruments of a particular period and region, as required.
Web <http>www.ianwatchorn.com.au
Barry Kerr
Barry has been building archtop and flatop steel string guitars for more than 20 yrs now. Using both traditional and native woods Barry focuses on just a handful of instruments each year.
Web <http>www.woodtoneguitars.com.auÂ
David Worthy
Tucked away behind the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne, I build a number of different guitars with a focus on custom orders. All guitars feature solid timbers with timber bindings, quality machine heads and attention to the fine detail expected from a custom instrument.
Web <http>www.worthyguitars.com
                                        James Keith
One of the countrys great classical makers of many years standing . James is based in Sunbury and makes exceptionally fine instruments in the traditional and more contemporary style. Email
We expect to have lots of informal music throughout the weekend; impromptu performances will be welcome through each day and a blackboard system will be in operation so bring your own instrument and book yourself a slot or try out some of those on display.
On Sunday Steve Magnusson <http>www.mag.net.au and Peter Miller <http> <http>www.peter-miller.com will be playing.
The Festival hours are:-
Saturday 10am till 7.30pm then the concert until whenever (we have to be out by midnight). Sunday 10am till 5.00pm.
An entrance fee of $10 for adults (accompanied children free) will cover both days and the Saturday evening concert.
There are nice eateries in the convent so you don't have to pack lunch.
For directions to the venue go to <http>http://www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au/visitors
The forecast is for chilly weather so bring your woolies!
See you there, Jack
Jack Spira
<http>www.jackspiraguitars.com
Hello Email List!
late news on the Festival - we have a couple of welcome extras exhibiting, Dave Churchill and James Keith.
The full exhibitor list is now -
Sachar Amos
Sachar Amos is a maker and restorer of stringed musical instruments. Sachar began his career in 1994 in the violin making workshop of John D Ferwerda and later studied stringed instrument making with Paul Doyle in Galway, Ireland. Since returning to Australia in 1999, Sachar has worked with some of Melbournes finest stringed instrument makers and has established a professional workshop from his home in The Basin.
Tim Kill
Tim specialises in one off custom designs .He works closely with customers to conceive and create a unique instrument  ideally suited to there physically, ascetically and musically needs.
Web www.timkillcustom.com
Phillip Carson Crickmore
Carson Crickmore Guitars treads the middle path between technology and tradition, never allowing the innovation of the former to compromise the individuality of the latter.
Web <http>www.carson-crickmoreguitars.com.au
Jim Matheas Guitars
As a luthier I place great importance in making the most responsive guitars for musicians.
My instruments are light weight with a clear and balanced tone, long sustain, accurate intonation and are finally setup to suit the individuals playing style.
Web<http>www.matheasguitars.com.au
David Churchill
David Churchill is one of Australia's leading steel string flat top guitar makers, established over 30 years.
All guitars are hand built by David Churchill, using only aged timbers and specializing in cedar tops with Indian rosewood back and sides
Web www.churchillguitars.com
Dan Robinson
Dan makes beautiful and original instruments using unique Australian timbers like King Billy pine and Blackwood. He is also well known for his hand carved mini upright basses.
Peter Daffy
Peter is not only a great guitar maker, he is also in demand as a player. He makes superb flat top steal string guitars, as well as mandolins and mandocellos. He has worked with the great mandolin maker Steve Gilchrist and brings a similar uncompromising attention to detail to his guitars.
Jack Spira
Trained in London in the late 1980's, Jack Spira has been working in Australia since 1991 and in the Melbourne area since 1999.
Web www.jackspiraguitars.com
Joe Gallacher
Although Joe‚s guitar design and construction methods are constantly being improved it is still down to the hands, the chisels, the feel and the quality of the timber. This is where the art of the guitar maker comes in to his own and one should hear and feel the difference in a hand made guitar.
Web <http>www.gallacherguitars.com
Ian Watchorn
Ian makes instruments in all historical styles: French, English, Italian, North & South German, Polish, etc. All are either close copies of extant originals or generic instruments of a particular period and region, as required.
Web <http>www.ianwatchorn.com.au
Barry Kerr
Barry has been building archtop and flatop steel string guitars for more than 20 yrs now. Using both traditional and native woods Barry focuses on just a handful of instruments each year.
Web <http>www.woodtoneguitars.com.auÂ
David Worthy
Tucked away behind the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne, I build a number of different guitars with a focus on custom orders. All guitars feature solid timbers with timber bindings, quality machine heads and attention to the fine detail expected from a custom instrument.
Web <http>www.worthyguitars.com
                                        James Keith
One of the countrys great classical makers of many years standing . James is based in Sunbury and makes exceptionally fine instruments in the traditional and more contemporary style. Email
We expect to have lots of informal music throughout the weekend; impromptu performances will be welcome through each day and a blackboard system will be in operation so bring your own instrument and book yourself a slot or try out some of those on display.
On Sunday Steve Magnusson <http>www.mag.net.au and Peter Miller <http> <http>www.peter-miller.com will be playing.
The Festival hours are:-
Saturday 10am till 7.30pm then the concert until whenever (we have to be out by midnight). Sunday 10am till 5.00pm.
An entrance fee of $10 for adults (accompanied children free) will cover both days and the Saturday evening concert.
There are nice eateries in the convent so you don't have to pack lunch.
For directions to the venue go to <http>http://www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au/visitors
The forecast is for chilly weather so bring your woolies!
See you there, Jack
Jack Spira
<http>www.jackspiraguitars.com
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vandenboom
- Blackwood
- Posts: 414
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:27 pm
- Location: Melbourne (Ringwood), Australia
Melbourne Guitar makers festival
I went along for a couple of hours on Sat and then again for a concert on Sat night. It was great. I think they considered it a big success - lots of visitors throughout Sat and full house for the concert.
Lovely work by the exhibitors of course. While I expected they were primarily there to raise their own profiles and maybe sell some guitars and get some orders, I was curious to what extent exhibitors would be prepared to talk to amateurs/hobbyists like me about aspects of building. I was up front in telling each person what my interest was and I got the full range of responses from genuine interest in what I had done and a willingness to discuss questions, through to instant shutdown. Oh well - I got the message and moved on.
I met two other newbie builders by accident and we are keen to stay in touch - so that was a win for me personally.
I hope they run it again next year.
Frank
Lovely work by the exhibitors of course. While I expected they were primarily there to raise their own profiles and maybe sell some guitars and get some orders, I was curious to what extent exhibitors would be prepared to talk to amateurs/hobbyists like me about aspects of building. I was up front in telling each person what my interest was and I got the full range of responses from genuine interest in what I had done and a willingness to discuss questions, through to instant shutdown. Oh well - I got the message and moved on.
I met two other newbie builders by accident and we are keen to stay in touch - so that was a win for me personally.
I hope they run it again next year.
Frank
Re: Melbourne Guitar makers festival
You'll find that some full time builders fell threatened by us amateurs. I generally make it clear right from the start that Im an amateur and already have a day job. If that doesnt put them at ease then I move on....I can understand a reluctance to give out 'trade secrets" to newbies.vandenboom wrote:I was up front in telling each person what my interest was and I got the full range of responses from genuine interest in what I had done and a willingness to discuss questions, through to instant shutdown. Oh well - I got the message and moved on.
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Hippety Hop
- Blackwood
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:18 am
- Location: Moorabbin
I went for a look on Sunday, hoping to meet a Mr. Daffy, which I did. Most of my pictures turned out blurred. I was holding too much stuff while trying to take photos. It was also rather crowded. The festival was in the middle of a Sunday craft market. Trinkets & shawls & soaps & incense.
Here's a few of the exhibitions.
Tim Kill
JackSpira
Phil Carson Crickmore
Barry Kerr
The convent
Here's a few of the exhibitions.
Tim Kill
JackSpira
Phil Carson Crickmore
Barry Kerr
The convent
[img]http://planetsmilies.net/not-tagged-smiley-10140.gif[/img][img]http://planetsmilies.net/person-smiley-1062.gif[/img]
Hippus Erectus
Hippus Erectus
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Nick
- Blackwood
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- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:20 am
- Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
- Contact:
Lovely instruments & all very inspiring, you are lucky in OZ to have such a wealth of builders to be able to have such a festival. I think Barry Kerr's archtops are Beeeautifullll. Tim Kill's is KILL-er (groan) 
but I'm not sure if I'd have enough fingers to play all them strings 
but I'm not sure if I'd have enough fingers to play all them strings "Jesus Loves You."
Nice to hear in church but not in a Mexican prison.
Nice to hear in church but not in a Mexican prison.
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