Conversations with George and Tom Bukovac, August 6, 2021

This week the legendary performer and session musician, Tom Bukovac, joined George to discuss their shared passion for guitars.

[@pablo6305]

I know i want to hang out with this guy ti learn from the great ones. We need to cherish the moments the elders englightenment us with.

[@abradfordajb]

This fellow George is absolutely NUTZ with all he knows about guitars. He's literally a walking breathing encyclopedia. When people like him pass, the world losses SO much. It would be nice for this video to be archived away somewhere for posterity.

[@tomcarl8021]

Learn the proper usage of the word 'literally'. You make yourself look bad.

[@dshrute6622]

Never seen Uncle Larry cheers the camera with a glass of water. Unprecedented times!

[@johnnyx9892]

Might be tequila.😆

[@iused2BAfireman]

Thank you George Gruhn and Tom Bukovac for all you do to promote music and knowledge of instruments and especially for your willingness to share with the rest of us. Thank you

[@stephenhenion8304]

Truth be told, We All Play Used Guitars!!!!.... thank God there are so many out there...hats off to George... I live a 2 day drive from Nashville and doubt I'd ever get to his shop...but I dream about it all the time...

[@limpindug]

Jeezus what can you say, so very interesting, watching Tom being skooled bonus 😂😂 total respect and stay healthy all.

[@jordandangelo180]

This was so awesome to see Uncle Larry talk about his love for vintage guitars with the master of the Martin! Uncle Larry is the best player out today bar none. He is an artist, not just a player and a damn good one at that. No one is cooler and more humble than Uncle Larry. I hope his solo albums continue to be released and he gets the credit he deserves as one of the all time greats because he truly is. His ear and ability to build melody is out of this world. His pre-war 0018 Martin has the best acoustic sound I’ve ever heard.

[@stratmagic6893]

George is a national treasure. Tom is a badass player.

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

I'd say they're both national treasures! But yeah, George is an absolute wealth of knowledge. 🍻

[@my_tube9405]

@@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer Yeah. Once you have been on over 700 albums, you are a national treasure by default.

[@James-hr4fu]

So true!

[@Neuri]

authentic vintage camera too!

[@rickyrodam]

So much wisdom!

[@Joey_McElroy]

This is a phenomenal interview. Just two legends sharing their mind. I love it!

[@newtunes1377]

This is truly brilliant. George has a wealth knowledge and is a pleasure to listen to. Little Tommy...I am so very grateful for your existence. The Home Skoolin' channel helped me immensely through a very trying 2020. I never miss a video! Peace and love from New Hampshire my friends!

[@embwee]

Here's the Martin book they are referencing: Martin Guitars - An Illustrated Celebration of America's Premier Guitarmaker

[@hg7240]

What a humble man George is.

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Great episode! Already a fan of Mr. Bukovac, and now a fan of Mr. Gruhn. Thank you, both! George exhibits the qualities of true leadership and is obviously a successful businessman. It's refreshing to see in this day and age. Kudos to him and his amazing staff.

[@elephantfootrisers]

Subscribed! Love Tom and quickly becoming a fan of Gruhn.

[@Kaisermb1]

One of the things I'm privileged to do sometimes is hang with people who are into guitar knowledge. I grew up in Kalamazoo and still live a couple miles from the former Gibson plant (now Heritage Guitars). There are some old dudes around here who worked at Gibson back when some rock gods from all over the world were visiting the factory. There are some great stories to hear.

[@markhammer643]

One of the greatest days of my life was in 1982. My sister and I were driving out west and stayed overnight in Kalamazoo. When I woke up, I remembered that the Gibson facility was there, looked it up in the phone book and called them, wondering if I could come by and buy some parts. The fellow I spoke to said that actually they were closed to take inventory, but I should come on over and he'd show me around. So I did, and he gave me the grand tour. If those worn wooden floorboards could talk! And so many gorgeous carved "heritage" instruments. One of the things I needed to buy was a spring for a Bigsby. The fellow said they didn't carry that, but the Bigsby factory was just across the highway and I should try there. So off I go to the Bigsby factory, and who should greet me at the door but Ted McCarty, who had left Gibson by that point and was president of Bigsby. Ted showed me around, pulling stuff off the shelf and unpacking it to show me, like a gold-plated 3-lever palm-pedal. He was SO proud of their products. He gave me his business card (which I still have, framed) and some fantastic memories. In 2009, I was in Nashville for a conference. I had briefly corresponded the year before with George, in followup to an article in "Vintage Guitar". I introduced myself, and took him out to lunch on the government's nickel. We had a lovely chat. He was eager for me to try one of the semi-acoustics he had designed, when we came back from lunch, but it wasn't in its expected location. When he asked the staff-member where it was, the fellow said that Metallica's James Hetfield (they played Nashville the night before) had come in an hour earlier, tried it, loved it, and bought it.

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Those stories should be recorded or written down ❤

[@resonatorman]

Fan-bloody-tastic, could listen to George & Tom for hours. Thanks!

[@kennethhacker3014]

Wow ..lots of knowledge in this video.. thank you

[@michael_crean]

George and Uncle Larry side by side. Doesn't get much better than that! Tom, with the ol' Homeschoolin' mug salute to start the program. Love it. No Rolling Rocks for you and George? This was awesome, thanks for putting this video together everyone. So much incredible history. Very informative.

[@IamtheActionman]

Huge fan of Tom's and have been to Gruhn Guitars and love their passion. Not a big fan of vintage guitars, to many issues in my experience but when you have friends like Gruhn and Glaser getting the instrument up to snuff it's not a problem.

[@imannonymous7707]

But you still have to maintain them and that aint cheap ....id love to go to nashville ...id love to meet both these guys

[@jasonpitts8395]

This is pure gold

[@niguel4438]

Just stared following Tom and had the privilege of meeting George three years ago. Perfect gentleman and I could have chatted all day long with him.

[@Joey_McElroy]

I love that Advanced Jumbo. I have one…not an old one. Mine is from the “Historic Collection” denoted by the Walter slide decal applied to the back of the lower portion of the headstock above the nut area. I absolutely love her. She is a 2005 model. Best sounding acoustic I’ve ever owned and I will never sell it. My kids can have it when I’m gone or sell it for what they can get. Will it command loads of money, nonsense. But will it bring someone musical joy. Absolutely. I’ve played a 38 AJ at a guitar show in Dallas. It was awesome, even for me playing it in a loud convention center. If you get a chance to pick up an Advanced Jumbo, you should do it!

[@AlexGauthier]

Love your store, George. Was a definite highlight on my first trip to Nashville in May. Staff was super welcoming and friendly. Didn't have that experience down the road...

[@stevehughes1510]

Thanks George and Tom. I usually watch Tom each week and this was just fantastic, chock full of information, history and bon homme, thanks again.

[@J_Fowler]

Wow! Two Nashville legends! Thank you!!

[@peterbroderson6080]

A well made guitar is both a musical instrument, and a work of art. The beauty of the woods is to the eye, as the sound resonating from it, is to the ear. Collecting and preserving a collection of vintage and antique guitars is an honor. As an investment the good ones will only increase in real value no matter inflation. Thanks George, you appraise my first guitar, an early 1900 Imperial Parlor I had bought in the hills of Tennessee for $75 back in 1975-ish.

[@scottpeterson9609]

So much knowledge right off the top of their heads. Awesome stuff, thanks.......

[@timolsen8252]

I learned a lot and have gained more appreciation for guitar history and making watching this.

[@tbone25]

What a nice change of pace and enjoyable format to be allowed in on this fireside chat about guitars with George Gruhn and Uncle Larry!

[@brandonmarks239]

did anyone else notice the mouse at 2:34 behind Tom’s head?

[@wmdoux2108]

Brandon Marks: Looks like the top of somebody’s head to me.

[@MaBaKar]

Thanks to you both. A wonderful warm sharing of knowledge and experience and more. You should do more!

[@conig25]

Wow just fabulous. Just have to knowledgeable fella's allow us to sit in on their conversation on what the and WE all love. THANK YOU.

[@KennethMoyer-t3y]

Fascinating!

[@e_8074]

I love how family members can be so similar and so different at the same time.

[@brantnorthman9040]

Wealth of knowledge, thank you.

[@bddmhopp5]

I’m a 53 year old finish carpenter, and my mentor is named Tony, who is 80 now…this is like me talking to my mentor…

[@stevenkimsey7039]

I truly enjoy George

[@jeffisaac8000]

Love hearing people discuss what they are passionate about and experts on

[@PIPA1302]

Amazing chat... Those two are monsters in their respective ways and Crafts... Greetings from Spain

[@berryster]

Expertise meets expertise...not many people who can hang with Tommie B about guitars, and probably even fewer who can hang with George Gruhn. Very special discussion.

[@ajsmusic2561]

George is one of a kind and will miss him and his reptiles when he retires...

[@GIBKEL]

I chased the the J's......slope shoulders, and Roy Smeck for years and thank goodness I picked up some of the L's along the way (thank you Tony Klassen) and was converted. I even fell in love with archtops and think they are undervalued as instruments-not as a cost, but as a capability. My favorite to this day is a early 34' with the solid rims. It's a monster of a guitar, delicate or loud. Shoulders get old, and a good melody is all I need talking back to me. Thank you Tom And George! -both have enriched my life. I've really enjoyed getting a peek into Tom's world. Its a view from a place we rarely see. Favorite nugget of wisdom in the conversation today..."Don't do that!"

[@vayabroder729]

Love this interaction! Maybe the Martin book they talk about is Mike Longworth’s book?

[@ccurt1000]

Crazy Tom, I just bought a new dss-17. Been dreaming of it for two years!

[@robertgrant3844]

Thank you, so good.

[@paultaylor2968]

I could listen for many more hours. Fantastic a truly amazing man

[@johnthemachine]

Please invest in a $100 usb microphone if this is recorded on a laptop. George becomes more soft-spoken every week, and I cant sit with headphones on looking at youtube for over an hour to hear whats being said. I cant even drive and listen to this because of the difference in levels compared to my GPS/googlemaps. This is constructive criticism, I love George's insight and will return to the store to do business again in the future.

[@enidsnarb]

In 1976 I got 63 sunburst strat for 300 bucks ! It was only 13 years old but so much better than the new models ! Our local guitar store was called just that ; The Guitar Store and the owners name was Pat , so we used to call him “ new strat Pat” ! He slung new 70s strats like crazy but at the same time he was selling gold tops and pre cbs fenders go for 300 or 400 bucks all day long!

[@williameaton4662]

What I remember is that I traded a early 60s Red Firebird in exchange for customized Stripped Firebird III midnight blue with my design inlays.You called me and said even Steven.You never had anyone do that before.It was in the 70s.Florida.

[@carlwagoner77]

This was fantastic!! Please do more streams with George and Uncle Larry. Thanks so much 👍🏻👍🏻

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

There was a custom made gruhn guitar for sale here in Australia, sad I didn't have the money for it, seemed like a really amazing guitar.

[@imannonymous7707]

I respect both these men imensley and yet ive never met them.....im a pretty good judge of charachter tho...and my gut tells me stuff

[@bluesslider76]

This is so awesome.

[@lofideltaguitars8484]

55:55 Tom started twisting in his seat when George got on the subject of v a c c ination(s). Uncle Larry handled it so well. Respect man.

[@johnmac9002]

Great history thank you!

[@slgam]

Great conversation! Love the interplay. 🥰👍

[@davemassie3726]

NASHVILLE CATS! THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@chandlerkellogg]

Make another - please!

[@kurtgerber4929]

Was this shot with an iPhone 4

[@JimFothergill]

Great show guys! Thank you!

[@donshekn9114]

cool old guy. knows a lot of stuff. great memory

[@alexcorll90]

Interesting George doesn't like Engelmann, I find it to be a warm, mellow, pleasing sound, with nice blooming overtones. But it does have a sort of built in compression and focus to the sound which makes it better for pop music I think. George caters primarily to Americana and bluegrass players, make sense that he prefers adirondack which defined that sound.

[@ameliaislandfineguitars5368]

Awesome, thanks guys!

[@joshua0226]

I love Gruhns guitars and Toms playing . ✌🏼

[@gwbuilder5779]

Wonderful video gentlemen. So much knowledge and experience.👌🤙

[@josephcorcoran8714]

Gibson 335’s are generally 3 ply Maple-Poplar-Maple.

[@johndodson4527]

Heavenly chat.

[@chrisquinn9104]

Tom. Do you have any Hamers? I can’t remember. They had such a cool endorsement roster in the late 70s. Pretty cool guitars too

[@MrBriankprice]

Blackstar ID core 10, 20 and 40 are good solid state amps.

[@johnmirabile3535]

YOU CAN TELL UNCLE LARRY HAS EMMENSE RESPECT FOR MR GRUHN..I LIKE THAT, THERES NOT ENOUGH RESPECT FOR ANYTHING TODAY....YOU CAN SEE IT IN HIS ACTIONS THAT THIS GUY IS LAST OF THE MOHICANS FOR UNCLE LARRY..

[@4425evergreen]

i feel fender turned their quality around in 1982 with the fulleryon strat andbtele

[@toploadtele]

5-Stars! ★★★★★

[@teddyboy9116]

Tommy boy! Did u leave the shop empty handed? Bet u didn't! Sting, dream of the blue turtles, I bought that album when it came out even though I was only 14, it wasn't what kids my age were listening to, every track is good on that, proper album! Good call

A great listen! Can you do live KZbin as when George go's live at 9AM Pacific time Friday? It would be great! You just have to have a robust server and strong internet!

[@PeterLindelauf]

Speaking of quality control, my early 70s Martin Herringbone D-28 had its saddle misaligned and intonation was way off. Something about what I knew then versus what I know now. I've been a happy Takamine, Breedlove, Taylor player ever since.

[@roberteckert]

Have another joint....Tom!

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

He doesn't smoke, Robert.

[@blonk333]

Thats just what Tom looks like when he drinks water instead of Rolling Rocks

[@svbarr]

master class

[@mitchbanks4199]

National treasure

[@stevehorvath5855]

What? No Rolling Rock?

[@japanjay]

KZbin is the best.

[@user-et2fj8xm5l]

Hey Tom have another bong load

[@385markcollier]

I don't suppose anyone took good notes from this conversation? If so, please post them!

[@michaelgranka7904]

👍👍👍

[@ajsmusic2561]

Tom seems so laid back today. Must be from raising little ones, as that will do it...

[@billbonanzinga2635]

Lawrence!

[@thenewtowncryer]

Buk is destiny for the finest instruments and gear! Make a bedroom record Larry- pleeZ. Just you for the most part. Not a lot of gear. Simple production- raWdaWg it bruH. The trick iZ...GREAT SONGZ only. And although you may be running low on tolerance for the traditional formulaic Nashville progressions, a lot of fancy chords doesn't necessarily translate to a bangeR...as you already know. You may write a onE-chorD stomp that is top shelF...it's all about the melody...in my humble opinion

[@redjet4810]

Holy grail : 58 ES335

[@Larry-Art179]

😃

[@marvinstorm9153]

70s pancake Gibsons, Norlin. Awful. The pits, door stops. Very heavy from memory, you could see the layering in the body sides!

[@johnreilly9748]

Good stuff! Just a heads up but sometimes the cheaper models of a brand still have the foundation and sound great maybe better because no bindings and less glossier finishes.

[@embreesmith7613]

Gruhn is one strange dude. 🤔

[@jonnybeck6723]

Geeze... this "pre-pro" thing must get weird after a while... Studio spontaneous magic? What's that?

[@kennethpace9887]

1976ish Merle Haggard was singing "let's build a Ford and a Chevy that'll still last 10 years like they should." So many things sucked in the late 70s. And we all blamed Jimmy Carter.

[@celpabedn]

BUKO vatz would be a proper pronunciation...

[@jessefillmore]

Cool video but shooting it with a vintage camera was a lil too much don't cha think ? jk LOL

[@jessefillmore]

Please don't delete me for my joke , I'm so sorry .

[@Gorilla.Guitar]

they dont just hate gibson. they hate everything. including themselves. anything thats celebrated that they feel educated on but left out of? "Bro, i wouldnt build my porch with that stoopid wood". "kno why they have strings?". me: "um, to let the music out?" haters: "pfffft nooooo, what else would hold it together Eddie Van Failing? there are loads of people in this society who are mired in insecurity & their only survival fuel is to propogate weakness in others to bolster their own self-worth. the hysterical thing for me is the transparency. everybody can see it, except them.. look at it this way. to those who own guitars for the wrong reasons, your bridge does suck. it loses hundreds of dollars in value everyday it hangs on the wall in the "guitar cave" cuzza no vintage bridge. its the same reason their wives cheated with the amazon guy.. stoopid unkle larry bridge. my life sucks.. tuning issues? intonification? whaaat?. you dont see vanilla ice worrying about that crap & hes in the RRHOF!.. there, that should shut em up, lol. thank me later

[@dwaynejessome1728]

no!!!! you need that Dano Baritone lol

[@nuendo2496]

2:00. Uh…Bonamassa.