Accompanying a slide show of dozens of samples of grits inlay art, many depicted in his new book, grand complications, grit will tell the stories behind each of his oneofakind designs. Dec 17, 2009 in 1997 he won canadas very prestigious saidye bronfman award for excellence in the crafts, and shortly after that his work was captured in a book, a guitar makers canvas. It also has a chapter tha follows him through a complex inlay from concept to completion, a guest chapter on the history of inlay by chuck erikson, the. More info on grit from his website more info on paul miil from miil. Laskin, who was born and raised in hamilton, modestly refers to himself as a problem solver, whose life experience has taught him that one person can change things. The guitars section includes beautiful photos of his inlay, both wide and tight shots. William grit laskin is a master guitarmaker, a musician and songwriter, an artist and a storyteller. Grand complications50 guitars and 50 stories from inlay artist william gritlaskin.
Beautiful spring time in vienna just got more exciting spend 5 days with guitar maker grit laskin and learn. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading a guitarmakers canvas. Laskin is credited with creating a bold new art from the ageold tradition of musical instrument inlay. Larry robinson, author of the art of inlay, describes laskin as one of the most astonishing inlay artists in north america. With each of my instruments so customized and so specific to each. William laskin guitars hand built instruments for sale. This is the 2008 laskin sunset canoe custom built by master luthier grit laskin known as perhaps the very finest inlay artist of our time.
The inlay art of grit laskin kindle edition by laskin, grit. This instrument was featured as the demonstration of the inlay work in grits book the guitar makers canvas. The cds and book are available for purchase from, and the filler is available stewart macdonald. Ahead of the folk awards, we visit laskins guitarmaking shop to talk jean larrivee, inlay art and why. In 1996 he published his first novel, angel could smell the fire. Distributed to the book trade in the us and canada by publishers group west. Laskin an inlay artist, he builds one of the finest guitars you are ever likely to come across. Social activist, singersongwriter, author and worldrenowned guitar maker, grit laskin, was among the most recent recipients of an order of canada. See more ideas about guitar inlay, guitar and cool guitar. Pearl inlay book is included free with these tool kits.
For more than 30 years, grit laskin has been building guitars, and his striking inlay work places his instruments in a class all. Here are listed grit s cds, his book on his inlay art and his engraving filler. The guitars all photos and the stories short essays and supplemental photos. Pdf the art of inlay download full pdf book download. For more than 30 years, grit laskin has been building guitars, and his striking inlay work places his instruments in a class all their own. This midsized steel string is amazing in so many ways, the brazilian rosewood is among the best you can find as is the silky sitka spruce top.
Grit laskin, email 2032008 update from william 14 jan 18 my newest book, from last fall. With each of my instruments so customized and so specific to each client, my model sizes and alternate features are a bit more general that you would find from a larger producer or manufacturer. The cds and book are available for purchase from, and the filler. Beautiful spring time in vienna just got more exciting spend 5 days with guitar maker grit laskin and learn techniques that he spent decades developing, and that have made him the foremost inlay artist of our time. William grit laskin true north gallery the music gallery.
On the tool chest, we sanded the top faces of the inlays to 220 grit, creating a 1. William grit laskin born august 23, 1953 is a canadian luthier and musician, particularly notable for his highquality instruments, acoustic guitar innovations such as the laskin armrest and ribrest and for his skill in the art of inlay. The number is the numerical date the frame was assembled, day monthyear. Lots of folks here are familiar with grit laskin, a canadian luthier and inlay artist. Sep 21, 2017 paul miil talks with famous luthier grit laskin about inlays, fretboards and frets. In bookbinding, inlays and onlays are pieces of leather adhered to the cover of a book, usually differing in color, grain, or both from the main covering leather. His first published book however 1987 was a celebration and documenting of torontos thriving and diverse community of professional musical instrument makers. In his hands, shell, stone, legal ivories, and metals emerge as the palette and brushes of a reinvented. He also uses his guitars as canvases for his engraved inlay art, and as a tool for communication. Plus serial number stamped onto the inside neck block. William grit laskin builds uber quality with lots of engraved inlay acoustic, classical and flamenco in toronto, ontario, canada. William grit laskin, luthier and founder of the canadian folk music awards.
Grit laskin is the author of a guitarmakers canvas 5. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. It is a look inside guitarmaker william grit laskin s creative processhow he teases out a clients interests and intentions, how he develops and refines his ideas, and how he brings them to life in his mind and on paper. Grit laskin has been building guitars for more than 30 years. Reprinted from the original edition, it includes instructions for grinding, sawing, routing and gluing abalone and motherofpearl. For more than fortyfive years, hes been handbuilding guitars for such luminaries as stan rogers, jesse cook, rik emmett, and k. Mother of pearl inlay technique, part iii guitar inlays. Departing completely from traditional guitar aesthetics, he has pioneered such diverse and unusual materials as azurite, coral, camel bone and tahitian black pearl. Leather inlays, which are similar in form to inlays in woodworking, are shaped pieces of. Grand complications by grit laskin and william laskin 2016. Grit has been working on a book to be published in october for the last 3 years, and is now selling copies to be delivered this fall. Download pdf the art of inlay free online new books in.
While i mostly dont go for bling of any kind, there are a few extreme kinds that really appeal to me. The first seminar offered by egb was a big success. William grit laskin has been building concert level steel string, flamenco and classical guitars in toronto, canada since 1971. Hes also a very articulate man who has spent almost as much time contemplating the craft as he has pursuing it. Grit laskin is the first and only musical instrument maker to receive canadas prestigious saidye bronfman award for excellence. Looking to get your hands on some laskin merchandise that doesnt involve a waiting list and manyzeros price tag. He is credited with singlehandedly taking the agesold tradition of musical instrument inlay from its purely decorative roots into an art form, a means of expression. Over the years, grit laskin has made impressive contributions to the craft of inlay and of guitarmaking. William grit laskin is a master guitarmaker, a musician and songwriter. Inlay tracing scribe finepoint steel scribe for tracing pearl outlines on wood. In october, 2003 he published a guitarmakers canvas. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Also zemaitis engraved metal tops in electrics,and some 3d printed bodies. In an intense 5day seminar they learned new skills and practiced the craft, immortalizing megan. As always grit has executed this inlay flawlessly and with great taste, we love it. On this site each guitar type has its own area, within which youll find a. Lindas currently out but grit laskin is looking to raid her pearldot, fretboardmarker supply by prior appointment, of course. This is the story behind the story of fifty original designs from 2003 to the present. William grit laskin is a renowned canadian luthier who has crafted guitars since 1971 for collectors and musicians including k.
Most recently october, 2003 he published a guitarmakers canvas. William laskin guitarmaker the holy grail guitar show. His beautiful new book is an in depth perspective on his art. The laskin i remember best from way back is him hooking a fish. This is not a book on how to inlay but the initiated can find. By william grit laskin grand complications explores the stunning masterworks of william grit laskin, one of north americas greatest luthiers and inlay artists. Laskins advocacy work is primarily but not exclusively directed. Laskins engraving filler legendary blended filler for accenting delicate engraved inlays.
In 2003 the first book about my inlay art, a guitarmakers canvasthe inlay art of grit laskin was published by backbeat books of california. William grit laskin william laskin has earned international renown in part due to the startling visual impact of the graphic inlay work that highlights his instruments. Incredible absolutely incredible mr laskin belongs to an elite group of artist craftsmen who can produce this sort of amazing work and it is a very small group it would be nice if the book contained more on how to do this sort of amazing inlay work, but what the heck no collection of books on guitar building and embellishing would be complete without this book when is the d. Grits running commentary, taking you backstage, accompanies every image.
He is the originator of the bevels on acoustic guitars as well as the sideport soundhole. Then looking at a book on metal engraving and trying to adapt things. In his hands, shell, stone, legal ivory and metal emerge as the palette of a re. Here are listed grits cds, his book on his inlay art and his engraving filler. In doing so, he has elevated both to the level of art. The museum of civilization, canadas equivalent to the smithsonian, has four laskin guitars in its permanent collection. Stewmax members receive 50% off the price of select books, plans and dvds for. Beside being an amazing look at the masterful inlay of laskin, this a wonderful study on the creative process in general.
Grand complications is the story behind the story of fifty of these original designs from 2003 to the present. Includes an essay on the history of inlay by chuck erickson. Pearl inlay book instructions for grinding, sawing, routing and gluing abalone and motherofpearl, and much more. Vienna, austria may 16 20, 2016 monday friday organized and hosted by spalt instruments minimum participants. Master classes grit laskin vancouver international. On this site each guitar type has its own area, within which youll find a description of the base model. Among his guitars many outstanding qualities is their striking inlay art. Distributed to the music trade in the us and canada by hal leonard, 2003. By far the most exciting journey in the world of inlay art for me personally has been the wonderful privilege and honor to get to know william grit laskin, who has taken this art form onto a whole different planet from anybody else. I did a search on olf and came up with 189 hits referencing him andor his work. William grit laskin guitars have been made since 1972. This gorgeous book has over 240 colour images, highlighting 90 selected inlays drawn from the last 15 years. While they are complementary techniques, and may appear similar in their final forms, they are distinct in how they are constructed. Everything guitar chords rockbluesjazzcountryclassicalfolk over 2,000 chords for every.
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