Gerry's Latest

Another fine Xaver Guitar arrives just in time for Christmas.  Be sure to check out the Xaver Guitars web site for more of this beautiful gem, as well as other of Gerry's fine work.

Peggy White Guitar

Two years later and I still can't believe that this is my guitar.

John and Tommy

You know you've made the big time when your name is at the 12th.

Glen Campbell

Glen no longer plays his guitar--but he does sing every now and then.  Hats off to one of the greatest pickers who ever lived.

Xaver Guitars

Gerry has done it again--and just in time for Christmas.  Who will be lucky enough to find this under the tree on Christmas Morning?

John Prine

John picks a D-35

Merry Christmas

From Pat, Annie, John and Tommy on their Christmas Tour.

1939 Gibson Super 400

1939.  An excellent year.

1880 Martin 1-21

This old dog has been picking out the tunes for one hundred and thirty-five years.

Kathy Wingert

Kathy and Chris Stern at The Holy Grail Guitar Show in Berlin.

Lyle Lovett

When Lyle married Julia Roberts, I went out and bought every one of his CD's and tried to learn his songs.  I wanted to figure him out, and be like him.

Woodstock Invitational Luthier's Showcase

Peggy White continues to Rock and Roll.

Peggy White Guitar

Peggy's latest, and Wow!!  It's a beauty.

Norman Blake

There is not enough space on this Blog to even begin to talk about Norman--so you will have to Google him and spend an hour or two with his music.  Thanks Norman, for all the tunes over the years and especially "Wood, Wires and Songs."  And how about that guitar folks?

Holy Grail Guitar Show

What are you doing in October?  Time for a new guitar?

Stratocaster on Fire

Whenever I play my Strat, and then sit it down--this happens!!

Roy Rogers Headstock

Here's to Roy and Gene and every other cowboy who picked a guitar while riding a horse.

Roy Rogers

This is a rare Rich and Taylor "Roy Rogers King of Country" guitar complete with gold sparkle mother of toilet seat all the way around. What's not to love?  Thanks to Kathy Wingert for the picture of her friend's guitar.

Fender Concert

This is one of only three guitars that I have ever owned, that I do not own today.  I traded it in 1967 for a Gibson Southern Jumbo that I still have.  I would consider this a minor collector's piece today simply because there are not too many of them left.  I get just a little nostalgic whenever I see one.

Peggy and Linda

Master Luthiers playing their Masterpieces.

Chet Atkins Classical Electric Solidbody Guitar

Marc Saumier

I attempted to speak to Marc several times during the Ottawa Guitar Show, but he was always tied up during this very busy day.  I would have liked to have given this guitar a test drive.  Marc is from Kingsbury, Quebec and you can spend a good amount of time at his web site.

John MacDonald

And how about the fine guitars crafted by John MacDonald.  First class luthier, musician and entertainer.  John just finished performing "The Wonderful World of Sex" for a private audience.  Can't you tell by the smile?

Martin Dubeau Soundhole Inlay

Take a closer look at the inlay around this soundhole.  Wow!!

Martin Dubeau

The Ottawa Guitar Show has come and gone for another year.  Lots of great instruments and lots of great folks.  Really great players and really great luthiers.  And even some great players who are also great luthiers.  Ottawa is a lucky city to have all of this talent.  If the Ottawa Guitar Show 2016 hopes to top this one--someone has their work cut out for them.

Johnny Blues

Oh Oh!!  Looks like Johnny Blues might be thinking of taking up harp guitar.

Grace Guitars for Girls

What I look for in a 12-string guitar, is one that you can Travis pick on.  Some you can't--at least I cannot.  This little girl passes the test with flying colors.  And she sounds pretty good to boot!!  No--really good to boot!!  A real winner.  AND... at a price that will not break your bank account.  When you visit Tracy and Tom at Grace Guitars for Girls--tell them that you heard about them from Jack!!  And oh--boys can play them too.  Just look at me!!  OR, if you are male, with bigger fingers, they just might be persuaded to build a Grace Guitar for Boys!!?

Michel Pellerin

Could that be Johnny Blues checking out Michel's guitars?  

Peggy and Michel

I attempted to play this Soprano guitar at the Ottawa Guitar Show.  Lucky I have skinny fingers.  Regardless, this wonderful instrument sounded just fine in spite of my clumsy playing.  Stay tuned for more photos from this stellar event.

Westone Thunder

My daughter Karen gave me this guitar in the 80's, and a fine instrument it is.  It can raunch with the best of them but she cleans up like a dream and is therefore great for anything you want to lay down on her.  As much as I love my Jazzmaster, which is a dream to play by the way, this black beauty will equal any Les Paul in any category except prestige.  See you at the Ottawa Guitar Show tomorrow.

Thom & Tommy

Nice guitars lads, but the shirts??  I dunno.

John and Thom

Happy 50th to John and Becky.  John, did the Breshman let you play that guitar?

Christina Kobler

A brand new Kobler guitar resting on a bench outside of Christina's workshop waiting for the lucky new owner.  How would you like to pick it up and give it s strum or two right there on the bench?

Xaver Guitars

Most of us know the feeling of getting a new guitar. Take that feeling and multiply by at least 10 when getting a new custom guitar. Especially when you are involved in the process every step of the way. Another tenfold of joy added. Gerry even put my name on the headstock, with other custom inlays as well. Xaver Guitars rule!! See you at the Ottawa Guitar Show.

Kathy Wingert

If you are in the area of the Hilton Memphis today--drop in and check out the fine instruments.  And when you get to Kathy's table, tell her you saw her excellent guitars on Jack's Blog.  And if you see John Knowles--ask him if he has a Wingert guitar.  Oh, and if you can't make it to Memphis--do not miss the Ottawa Guitar Show this month.  Ottawa is so blessed to have so many fine luthiers.

Everly Brothers

Even with the massive pickguards, the Everly's were going through a pair of these J-200's every month which promped them to design the Everly Brothers guitars which were a little more durable.  If you can get your hands on one of these old J-200's from the Everly's--hang on to it!

James Cagney

Blast from the past.  I wonder where this old Martin is today?

Peggy White Guitars

Great picture of a great guitar.  And how about that eyeball peeking through?

Maton

It's a good thing that Casper treats his guitar gently!



Xaver Guitars

This wood is called spalted tamarind, and comes from India. You won't see many spalted tamarind guitars at your local watering hole on a Friday night. But, if you want a one-of-a-kind custom-built guitar, this set has your name on it.

Pat Hawley--Part Two

A closer look at Pat's new guitar.  Other features include a spalted maple rosette, a macassar ebony arm rest and a contoured cutaway.

Pat Hawley

Here's Pat's latest guitar. This one was designed to be tuned in 5ths (like a mandolin) rather than the normal 4ths so it has a relatively aggressive fan-fret arrangement. With fan fretting the low strings are longer than the high strings and this helps get the extended range for the 5ths tuning. The top is Englemann Spruce and the back and sides are Monkey Pod.

Think I Will Monkey Around On The Guitar Today

Today I ask, if this guy can learn to play guitar--what's wrong with those who don't?  Seriously, I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day yesterday.  Pick On!!

Jimmie

"All around the water tank, waiting for a train
A thousand miles away from home, sleeping in the rain
I walked up to a brakeman just to give him a line of talk...
He said "If you got money, boy, I'll see that you don't walk. I haven't got a nickel, not a penny can I show
"Get off, get off, you railroad bum" and slammed the boxcar door.."

Maybelle

I saw Maybelle several times with the Johnny Cash shows.  In Winnipeg in the sixty's I had a brand new Fender Concert, so I was delighted when Cash hit the stage with one--only his was, of course, Johnny Cash black.  Back then I did not appreciate the talents of Maybelle Carter, nor her proficiency on the guitar.  Looking at the old videos, I should have been paying closer attention.

Peggy White Guitars

This Reesling (Peggy's parlour model) is heading into the spray booth tomorrow, then to The Acoustic Guitar Meeting in Sarzana, Italy and then finally to it's temporary home at The Acoustic Music Company in Brighton, UK where it will be available for purchase.  The little one in the front is going to Italy as well!!



Bruce Cockburn

Last week someone told me they lived in a house that was once owned by Bruce Cockburn, and that he had left a guitar behind.  I told him I would buy the guitar and gave him my card.  If this is the guitar--I'll take it sight unseen.

Xaver Guitars

Join Gerry and Laurie and their Xaver Guitars at the Ontario Guitar Show, this Sunday, at the Lions' Hall in Elmira, Ontario (just north of Waterloo), from 9am to 3pm. They will have a selection of wonderful Xaver custom-made guitars for you to try out.



1954 Gibson J-45

Bit of road wear on this old box.  Is $5500 US a fair price?  I think I'd let my '67 SJ go for that much.  Maybe.  Depending on the exchange rate at the time.

Isaac Jang Dreadnaught

Uchida-style Bendaway