This past weekend was tremendous fun at the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers' Showcase!

I showed two Auriole guitars, both of which got wonderful reactions from all the folks that stopped by the table.

(Photo: Maegan Wells...thanks Maegan!)

It was also a great chance to meet up with many other wonderful builders, who also happen to be wonderful people.  Incredible music, world-class guitars, and good folks - what more could anyone want?

Thanks to all who came by and extra-special thanks to Baker Rorick, Sharon Klein, and all those who make the Woodstock Invitational possible.  It's really a great event!

This coming weekend, I'll be having the most fun I have in Woodstock all year long!

Saturday and Sunday, please come join me and 40 other boutique acoustic guitarmakers at the

Woodstock Invitational Luthiers' Showcase

This is a truly wonderful event, and is host to some of the very best acoustic makers in the business.

If that's not enough, there is also world-class music all day long, with wonderful players demonstrating the instruments that are on display.

I can't say enough about this great show - it's well worth the trip for anyone that can make it!

Come by and say hello - I'll be there with two lovely Auriole guitars.

I'm back from the Montreal Guitar Show, and had a great time!

The two show guitars came out beautifully, and I've uploaded photo galleries to the "Guitars" page.

The audience of visitors and builders at Montreal was very receptive, and the guitars were very well received.

Here's a quick video of the wonderful Kinloch Nelson demonstrating "Coco", the wenge guitar from this pair:

In other news, I will be on hiatus from my shop between 7/17 and 8/9 for some much needed Summer rest.

I'll still be available by email, although it might take a few more days than usual.

Have a great Summer!  The next update will have some pictures of the new acoustics already in progress, plus a very cool electric guitar for a good friend.

Best,

Martin

It's a new year - what better time to introduce a new an improved website?

This latest web update has been in the works for a while, and I'm thrilled to have it up and running.

The biggest news, without a doubt, is the introduction of my line of guitars.  These instruments are the result of a long and careful process of design and prototyping, and will be a primary focus for continuing development in 2012.  There are many special and unique details involved with these instruments, and the "Guitars" pages will soon include more about all of those.

I've also added:

-A "Players" page, with pictures and testimonials from some satisfied clients

-An "Audio & Video" page, featuring various demo and performance clips featuring the instruments

-A new article from Fretboard Journal

-Sharing buttons for Facebook and other social media - click the buttons on the left and let your friends know you were here!

-New basses in the Basses galleries

-...and several other little improvements to make the site even more fun!

The new year will also bring more frequent updates to this "What's New" page - everything from shop snaps to "pinups" of completed instruments, sneak previews of new developments, and anything else that's "fit to print".  Stay tuned!

I'm thrilled to announce a new dealer, Premier Bass Guitars in Superior, CO.

Premier is truly a full-service store, carrying everything from top-shelf basses and amps to cables, strings, effects, and accessories.  Furthermore, they also offer lessons and just about everything else you could ever need or want from a music shop.

Owner Dan Basica has a very wide range of extremely high-quality gear on display, including two gorgeous Elfin 5-string basses - a fretted and a fretless.

If you're anywhere nearby, definitely make the trip to visit this incredible new shop and play some beautiful basses!

Dan also has a fully featured website (with shopping cart...hint, hint!), so you can browse all the bass goodness from anywhere:

http://www.premierbassguitars.com

A new Elfin bass with the hybrid/composite neck design will be en route to Premier shortly - stay tuned!

Well, it's been quite a busy and brisk Fall, with many new things in the works!

First of all - many thanks to everyone who came to visit at the Woodstock Invitational Luthier's Showcase last weekend!

I had a great time exhibiting and met some wonderful folks.

Many thanks also to Fretboard Journal's Michael Eck for including me in his coverage of this terriffic event:

http://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/online/woodstock-invitational-luthiers-showcase-2011-recap

A few updates ago, I promised a look at a "very special 6-string"...

Well, it's finally done, and it is really a beauty!

This "multiscale" 6-string bass has a 33" high C scale, stretching to a 36" low B.

The electronics are as custom as it gets, featuring both active and passive tone controls, and a built-in stereo headphone amp with auxiliary input for music to play along with!

The extra-long scale gives the low notes amazing depth, clarity, and integrity.  This instrument has a clear and unified voice from bottom to top, and the "beyond-deluxe" electronics package make it capable of just about every possible sound.

There's one more big piece of news coming soon - as soon as I take the picture!  Stay tuned...it will be here very soon!