Johnny Cash Black

I have played an HD-35JC and I have played the Johnny Cash Black J-200.  If given a choice which one would you take?

Joe Pass

I will always remember seeing Joe Pass play at the Ottawa Jazz Fest.  He even signed my copy of Guitar Player.  Not only a great player, but his jokes were funny.

Oh--And Did I Mention

Xaver Guitars rule!

Xaver Guitars Rule

Possibly I have previously mentioned--Xaver Guitars rule!

Tony Rice

Who was the original owner of this famous Martin?

Famous Guitar

This may be the world's most famous guitar.  Not only is the sound unique, but this guitar has a royal history.  Musical royalty that is--and the folks who have actually played this instrument...  For years this guitar sat in a lonely pawn shop with no buyers, yet now it is known to many by just the serial number.  Rock on!

Gerry Gruber

Mister Xaver Guitar, Gerry Gruber.

Slugger

Thanks to Guy Gammon for sending me this photo of a great guitar from Cooperstown.  With one of these you can practice scales while practicing your swing.  Just make sure you have the label facing the right way.

Ottawa Guitar Show--Part 4

Being at the Ottawa Guitar Show with 14 great Ottawa Luthiers was a really great thing to do on Father's Day.  The great guitars in this room alone would blow your mind.  Five master craftsmen and their great guitars in one room.  I just stood in the middle of the room and listened to the noodles coming at me from every direction.  Ottawa is a lucky town to have these guys living here.  If you live in this town and do not own a custom guitar from a local luthier--shame, shame, shame.

DK Guitars--Part 2

Dmitry designed this great little guitar--but I designed the Xaver hat.

Zack Gruber

Zack tuning up his Dad's great guitars.  Xaver guitars rule.

Justin Duhaime

Justin with his new DK Guitar--"Black Sword".  All attending the Ottawa Guitar Show are proud of Justin and Dmitry and this great DK guitar.

John MacDonald

John is testing a special Oskar Graf guitar at the Ottawa Guitar Show.

Ottawa Guitar Show--Part 3

Old friends ripping it up at the Ottawa Guitar Show.  And how about them guitars?

Ottawa Guitar Show--Part 2

I got to play this guitar today at the Ottawa Luthier's Showcase and Guitar Show.  Thank you Lucas for letting me play (or attempt to play) this great piece, and for giving me a few pointers on how it worked.  Of course, even Lucas will admit that he hasn't got it really figured out yet, but then again, how many of us has even got a firm handle on six strings.  I also feel honoured to have been able to sit through Lucas' set and listen to his incredible tunes.  Stay tuned for more pics from the day.  Ottawa is a great town for guitar builders and players, and today they were all together in the same place.  Thanks to Alcorn Studios and Lee Valley Tools for a great Fathers Day for the guitar!!

Funston Guitars

Tomorrow you can see Funston Guitars at the Ottawa Guitar show, but you will not see this guitar.  This is the famous Putin guitar--but you just might get a chance to play one of the other great guitars from this local luthier.

DK Guitars

Come out and see this guitar, or one like it at the Ottawa Guitar Show on Sunday--just two days away.

Xaver Guitars Mini Jumbo

Be sure to visit Xaver Guitars, and all of the other fine Ottawa luthiers at the Ottawa Guitar show in just three days.

Oskar Graf

Local luthier Oskar Graf will be showing his work at the Ottawa Guitar Show this Sunday.  Ottawa certainly is home to some fine guitar builders.

Pat Hawley Guitars

Hawley Guitars from Kanada will be present on Sunday at the Ottawa Guitar Show.  You do not want to miss this one!

Cervelle Guitars

Cervelle Guitars will be represented at the Ottawa Guitar Show on Sunday.  Be there or be square.

Sankey Guitars--Part 2

Only one week to the Ottawa Guitar Show.  Maybe we will be lucky enough to give this a test drive.

Martin 000-17SM--Part 9

So you think playing the guitar is easy?  Just take a look at the perspiration soaking through my hat!!

Martin 000-17SM--Part 8

Another cold, wet, rainy Friday in Orleans ladies and gentlemen--another great day to get some guitar playing done.  This solid Morado bridge, as well as the fingerboard, is very pleasing to the eye and the solid ebony bridge pins along with the bone saddle are just right.  For this price range folks, every picker must add one of these little beauties to their arsenal.

Martin 000-17SM--Part 7

No binding on this fretboard.  It is the most beautiful wood for a fretboard ever, and the little markers suit this guitar perfectly.  The fretboard is just a little bit wider and it will elevate your fingerpicking to a whole new level.

Martin 000-17SM--Part 6

I just love soundhole shots.

Martin 000-17SM--Part 5

The simplicity of this guitar is what you've got to love about it.  But the sound: it is unique, and it is pleasant.  And the neck was made for players.

Martin 000-17SM--Part 4

Know how the guitar in the picture is different from the one you buy.  What you see here is very much similar to the one I took home.  I love the way the bridge and the fingerboard is streaked and the fret markers are so cool.  And from a short distance away, as is evident in this photo, you can't even see them.

Martin 000-17SM--Part 3

Nothing ornate about this little beauty.  Although very plain and very simple, you have quality materials and workmanship producing a very unique sound.

Dillen and a Little Martin

A great photo of a great kid with a great Little Martin.