GRATEFUL GUITARS
Meet the Builders
The luthiers in the Grateful Guitars orbit represent a range of approaches to one of the more unusual commissions in lutherie: build something that already exists, sounds a specific way in the memory of thousands of listeners, and will be played by musicians who know every technical detail of the originals. Here are few of the principals worth knowing.
Foundation recipients, along with numerous Irwin-inspired custom instruments for working musicians and collectors, including Joni Bottari of Spiral Light and Brown-Eyed Women. His work blends traditional craftsmanship, premium materials, and a deep respect for the lineage of American guitar making.
Bob Fishman ■ 8West Guitars
Leo Elliott ■ Scarlet Fire Guitars www. scarletfireguitars. com Leo Elliott is the founder of Scarlet Fire Guitars and a luthier known for crafting high-end custom instruments inspired by the legendary work of Doug Irwin. Working extensively alongside Irwin himself, Elliott has built several Wolf, Tiger, and Rosebud-style guitars for Grateful Guitar
www. 8westguitars. com After 25 years as a master furniture builder, Bob Fishman shifted his focus a decade ago to crafting hand-built, Garcia and Irwin-inspired solid-body guitars under the 8West Guitars banner. Fishman holds the unique distinction of being perhaps the only luthier in the world to have successfully argued a case before the United States Supreme Court— a testament to the same meticulous attention to detail he brings to the workbench. Building each instrument one at a time and in close collaboration with his clients, Fishman has
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