BACK TODAY from the Guild of American Luthiers convention in Tacoma. Pacific Lutheran University actually. It was a marvelous time with hundreds of wonderful friendly luthiers. I learned some really good things and met some great people. Saw many magnificent instruments, mostly guitars, but many fine ukuleles. even exhibited my own !
I brought along the family of Pinecone ukes, a soprano, concert and tenor, and my great big two string bass. Also one tenor, a Indian rosewood/redwood. I had a new friend with me, Jon Dale from Pennsylvania.
Jon is a multi talented, Here he is in my office giving me a bit of instruction on claw hammer banjo. That lovely gal in the frame behind him is an 1890's sales lithograph for Lash's Bitters. Behind his right shoulder you can see into my workshop. Jon spent a night at my home before we drove to Tacoma.
At PLU we attended workshops, concerts, and daily exhibitions of instruments, auctions, and explanations. All on the lovely Pacific Lutheran University campus just south of Tacoma. They hold this convention every other year and it is quite an event.
Here are Evan Gluck from NYC, and Eric Coleman from Stewart McDonald putting on a workshop.
Here are Evan Gluck from NYC, and Eric Coleman from Stewart McDonald putting on a workshop.
Each evening there was a concert with wonderful entertainment in an auditorium with amazing acoustics. Kimo Hussey was there demonstrating ukuleles, and here was John Down, a student and collector of ancient instruments and an incredible musician in a program entitled "Homage to Fernando Sor"
| Lots of tips and how-to ideas. This is a photo of a screened demo. |
I will be be posting lots more about the convention in the coming days, so keep in touch.
