Shanghai to Beijing - Eastman Guitars 2012

A trip to China is always interesting, but visiting as a guest of the Eastman musical instrument company is a real treat. Amazing food and hospitality, just a bit of beer drinking, and foot massages aplenty are the norm. Thanks to my affiliation with Johnson String Instrument, I've developed a relationship with Qian Ni & Saul Friedgood of Eastman over the past few years. Qian really knows how to treat his employees and it is evident at the factory by the smiling faces and productivity that is seldom seem on our side of the pond. The level at which these folks are working is truly humbling to a small independent maker like myself and I am so proud that these people consider me someone worth listening to. I look forward to a continued relationship with this emerging musical instrument powerhouse.

Maple logos freshly cut by laser

A shooting board and hand plane is still used to
join the top, just as it has been done for centuries

Top bracing is hand-carved by well trained artisans

Vacuum presses to speed up top bracing

A sea of guitars move through the process

Just a few Adirondack spruce tops, good wood is the key
 to good tone. This building was packed with tonewood.

An impressive jig to glue scarf joints at the peghead

A correct hand-rubbed sunburst was one of
my small contributions. Their varnish person
is amazingly skilled and nailed it right away.

A technicolor sunrise over Alaska allowed for some quiet reflection on another amazing trip to China.
Life is what you make of it, thanks to Qian, Saul, and Johnson String Instrument

Autumn in Vermont

    Well, we're finally getting settled in up here in beautiful Stowe, Vermont! Deirdre and I are so thankful for the deluge of serendipity that allowed so many pieces to fall into place at once. We could not have pulled this off without the love and support from our family & friends so thank you all!
   
    My new shop is located in a 19th. century one-room schoohouse overlooking Mt. Mansfield and the green mountains. It's an inspirational place that has great energy - the building was rescued in 1953 by painter Stan M. Wright, who presented it to his wife Ki for their 6th. anniversary (wooden anniversary.) It's the shop that love built, man! I am so proud to be the steward of this property and I hope that Stan & Ki would approve of my work.

 
    Open house/Celebration at Sanzone Guitar & Mandolin on September 29 from 1pm-5pm!

- we'll have some food & drinks to gobble down as well as some fiddle tunes courtesy of our friend Jess Fox. So grab your smiley face and come on by -  bring an instrument if you want to do some pickin!  11 Moss Glen Falls rd, Stowe Vt.  Kids are welcome as always, but you might want to leave the hounds at home this time...
     
               Chuck & Deirdre