A Rare Bird: A portrait of luthier Michael Gurian

Michael Gurian is a living legend in the world of guitars. A product of the Greenwich Village scene of the 1960s, Gurian started out making and repairing classical guitars, ouds and lutes. As his business grew, he expanded to steel string guitars and eventually created one of the first "boutique" guitar factories of the modern era. To this day, he continues to bridge the old world with the new.
Though Gurian's guitar business faced many setbacks, his instruments continue to be loved by musicians in the know. David Lindley, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan are just three famous musicians he's built instruments for.
Gurian now owns a major guitar parts manufacturing business. From his floating factory in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, he and his team create inlays, trim, bridge pins and more for many of today's largest guitar makers. In this Fretboard Journal documentary, we talk to Gurian about his fascinating career and what he's up to today. Directed by Matt Miles for the Fretboard Journal magazine. fretboardjournal.com
Go to the FJ's website - fretboardjournal.com - to see even more exclusive interviews, podcasts, performance videos and more. The Fretboard Journal is the guitarist's bible, featuring in-depth interviews with legendary players and builders, photo essays and more. Every three months, subscribers receive a new, 128 page keepsake issue of the magazine in the mail.
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