118. Chris Holcomb

Mike Doolin is a guitarmaker whose curiosity and willingness to challenge convention have led him down some fascinating paths in guitar design. Mike has never been afraid to rethink how guitars are built, from pioneering double-cutaway acoustic guitars and exploring the possibilities of seven-string instruments to harp guitars, adjustable neck systems, and, more recently, Ken Parker-inspired archtops. We talk about his unconventional journey into lutherie, the technical problems that have shaped his designs, and the discoveries that continue to drive his work. https://www.doolinguitars.com/design.html Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

Chris Holcomb specializes in making world-class resonator guitars in Santa Cruz, California.    Chris built a guitar in his teens and has pursued the craft ever since. In episode 118, Chris tells us this wasn't a straightforward path, but one of persistence and dedication that ultimately paid off as he achieved his goal of making a life and living through his hands.    Link:  https://www.cfholcombguitars.com/ / https://www.instagram.com/c.f.holcombguitars/ Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

Jamie Gale is one of the most influential and forward-thinking voices in the guitar world. He is the founder of the Boutique Guitar Showcase, but his perspective goes far beyond guitars. His work has taken him into areas like artificial intelligence and robotics.  For episode 117, we talk about the changing cycles of the guitar industry, the rise of the Boutique Guitar Showcase, and some hard-earned lessons in business. Most importantly, Jamie shares his thoughts on what it takes for an independent guitar maker to build a distinctive identity. Link: https://www.jamiegale.net Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

For episode 116, we're joined by Spanish guitarmaker Paco Chorobo from Úbeda, Spain.   Paco shares his journey from telecommunications engineer to full-time luthier and discusses his approach to building both classical and flamenco guitars while blending traditional hand craftsmanship with modern technology. We also explore the cultural roots of flamenco guitars, the construction differences between flamenco and classical instruments, and his philosophy of building guitars around the individual player.   Link to Paco's work: https://chorobo.com/home/ Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

For Episode 115 of the podcast, we're joined by classical guitarmaker Marco Bortolozzo. In our conversation, Marco tells us about the mentorship that launched his career, and the story behind his signature Olympic ring rosette, which was inspired by a 19th-century Spanish guitar. We also discuss his neck joint design, his unique use of shellac records in guitar finishes and much more. https://www.marcobortolozzo.com/ Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

Working out of his solo shop in Quebec, Thierry André is a builder of truly one-of-a-kind instruments. For episode 114 of the podcast, Thierry dives into his design process and explains why he believes every instrument should include an element of danger and surprise. We also talk about his formative time apprenticing with Fred Carlson and much more. GoFundMe to help Thierry Andre beat cancer: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thierry-andre-beat-cancer   Links: https://www.thierryandre.com https://www.instagram.com/thierryandre.studio/   Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

For episode 113 of Luthier on Luthier, I'm joined by guitarist and educator Sean McGowan.    We focus on his recent Archtop Foundation recording project, featuring 20 tracks across nine exceptional Blue series archtop guitars, and dig into his detailed approach to capturing their unique voices in the studio. Sean also shares highlights from his musical journey, his work as an educator at the University of Colorado in Denver, and the realities of making a living as a modern musician.    Link: https://seanmcgowanguitar.com/   Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

For episode 112 of the podcast, I'm talking with Otto D'Ambrosio. Otto wears two hats—as a solo luthier and Chief Designer at Eastman Guitars—and he walks us through his journey from working with legends like Flip Scipio, John Monteleone, and Carl Thompson to his role today, bridging the gap between hands-on building and production design.   We talk about how the pandemic pushed him into 3D CAD, changing the way he collaborates with Eastman's workshops, and dive into some of his design work—including the Fullertone neck system, his boutique archtop builds, and an upcoming project comparing domestic and European tonewoods. Links: https://dambrosioguitars.com/ Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac. Michael Bashkin's Hub of Acoustics 2026 US Academy: https://hubofacoustics.com/en/#Colorado_Academy

For Episode 111, I'm joined by highly respected guitar builder Raymond Kraut.   Ray shares why he's embraced unconventional sound ports while staying true to his traditional tone, how his porting designs have evolved over time, and what he's learned through real-world testing.   We also dive into Ray's Derrio Wood Company, which sources and supplies desert ironwood and other unique tonewoods. Ray talks about what makes desert ironwood so special, its tonal character, and why it's becoming an exciting alternative for guitar builders.   Links https://www.derriowoodco.com/ https://www.krautguitars.com/ Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.

On this episode of Luthier on Luthier, I'm joined by guitar maker Ben Wilborn. Based in Reno, Nevada, Ben brings a musician's perspective to his designs, drawing on his background in performance and composition to build instruments that are focused on tone. For episode 110, Ben shares the origins of his business and discusses how his instruments have evolved through prototype testing, data collection, and hands-on experience at the bench. https://www.wilbornguitars.com Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.