Tag Archive for: Destroy All Guitars

Johan Gustavsson Guitars

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Johan Gustavsson has been building guitars in Sweden for over three decades.

According to Destroy All Guitars:

Johan Gustavsson built his first guitar during an apprenticeship in a furniture workshop in Malmoe, Sweden. As a young guitarist he could not afford expensive name brand instruments. That’s why he decided to find out if he could manage to build a guitar on his own. Lots of wood and machinery was right in front of him. His first instrument won first prize in a contest arranged by the magazine HIFI & Music. His curiosity paved the way to forming JG Guitars, when his three year education was completed.

Johan has been a professional touring and session guitarist for well over 2 1/2 decades. His vast experience with the repair and restoration of the most coveted vintage guitars that Fullerton and Kalamazoo ever produced has informed his aesthetic. His experiences as both a luthier and a seasoned player made it abundantly clear that he had to supply his clients with instruments that at least rivaled the finest vintage and boutique guitars available, both in terms of playability and beauty. Johan’s guitars are built of only the finest Brazilian rosewood, old growth Honduras mahogany, swamp ash and eastern hardrock maple. Hardware options are limited only by availability. Gustavsson instruments are completely built with both passion and precision. The satisfaction of each individual client is job one.

The Bluesmaster Custom 59 pictured above will set you back about $11,000 USD. You could get a Tele style guitar for less. The Fullerblaster goes for about $5,500 USD.

His guitars are in high demand and they are built to a very high standard. Sadly, I’ve never played one of his guitars.

Here is a short video demo of a Bluesmaster Custom 59:

Saul Koll Guitars

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I came across this thread on the gear page: new Kolls day. A player had acquired at least two new guitars from Saul Koll. And he might have another one or two from this luthier. Stunning guitars.

Destroy All Guitars carry his instruments and they have a brief bio on Saul:

There are guitar makers and there are GUITAR MAKERS. Among the finest luthiers working today, Saul Koll constructs Innovative, bold new designs that are evocative, reminiscent, and familiar. These are the modern comfort food for the vintage guitar aficionado. These are original designs, hand crafted by Saul Koll in his Portland, Oregon workshop using old school equipment, methods and techniques. Saul’s clients range from the most demanding and challenging of guitarists including David Torn, Elliot Sharp, Lee Renaldo, Matte Henderson, to some of the today’s most popular musicians like Modest Mouse, Dandy Warhols, Sleater Kinney, and Kingsley. The majority of Saul’s work has been custom ordered and made to spec – until now. Saul is very excited to work in concert with Cliff and Destroy All Guitars to present new works that represent the muse and creative vision of the hardcore working luthier.

Saul Koll got his start as a professional luthier in the 80’s at the legendary World of Strings in Long Beach California. Under the strict tutelage of violin maker Jon Peterson, he immersed himself in all aspects of instrument restoration. Saul’s passion for the craft did not begin there however, as he began building instruments about the same time he began playing guitar, when he was 12. A constant maker of things, Saul eventually found his place at college studying and making sculpture, ultimately earning a Bachelors degree in Fine Art. Saul worked with TVJONES as technician and writer for The Gretsch company for several years. All the while, he has toured extensively and has made numerous records and CDs with pop/punk acts The Charms, Scott Deluxe Drake, and 8 Foot Tender.

His work has been featured in Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, Acoustic Guitar magazine, and numerous articles and local pages such as The Oregonian and Two Louies. As author and lecturer, he is active in the Guild of American luthiers. Saul has made over 250 fine instruments for a diverse range of players including Ron Eschete, Isaac Brock, Jim Mesi, Lee Ranaldo, Eric Wilson, and Grammy winner David Torn. Quality, innovation and tradition in the art of lutherie since 1985. Skilled in wood, metal, electronics, plastics, and fine finishes. Builder of “the impossible.” Looking forward to crafting your favorite guitar. Saul makes his home in North Portland with his long time partner Denise, their two daughters, two cats, and one big sloppy Labrador retriever, Olive.

Saul does have a web page but there isn’t much to see there. He is more active on his Facebook page.

Here is a recent video interview with Saul.

Cp Thornton Guitars

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To date I have personally built more than 100 guitars and basses. Each an act of passion, dedication and discipline. With CP Thornton Guitars, I am fulfilling a lifetime dream”¦ to create heirloom quality instruments for musicians who seek that rare balance between breath-taking beauty and engineering excellence. With mass production dominating the music industry today, a truly master-built instrument is rare. Each Thornton model has been designed specifically for its purpose and sonic signature.

Chuck Thornton

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In designing this model, I didn”™t try to reinvent the wheel, because I have tremendous respect for the Fender Telecaster. I just tried to make it more player friendly. I kept the essential original features, and made subtle changes to the shape of the horn, the neck angle, and the headstock angle. Of course, The Classic has my unique inset neck joint so it can be played all the way up the fretboard without changing your hand position.

Cp Thornton on the Classic.

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It is our belief that Chuck Thornton is one of the very few who has successfully taken on the task of redesigning the most classic of all solidbody guitars ever made and has managed to significantly improve its ergonomics, playability, touch sensitivity and intonation while preserving every drop of its vintage tone and feel. No easy task. And the best part is that it now can be yours by purchasing one of the CP Thornton Classics that Destroy All Guitars has commissioned Chuck to build.

Destroy All Guitars on the Classic.

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What a beautiful instrument! In stock and fairly priced.

For Cp Thornton, making guitars is his calling.

It was his destiny. Here are some more of his guitars.