MICHAEL BASHKIN - Modern Design x Traditional Voice - Luthier Stories S2 E6

[@anthonylane9547]

A tripple MMM production. 😁😁😁🍻🍻🍻

[@MichaelWatts]

It was! And a real joy

[@svendwithfelt9848]

Bravo a verry good maker and fine playing

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Svend!

[@tedrobinson3802]

I love listening to people that are for most purposes are the best in the world at what they do but talk with zero ego.

[@MichaelWatts]

I think it’s because they know that they’re only in competition with themselves - and that makes them generous with their time and experience.

[@vicentearkangel8352]

Enjoyed this interview with Michael Bashkin. Being from Hawaii I also love his shirt "Malama loko ea Fishpond" Mahalo

[@MichaelWatts]

Mahalo nui loa!

[@jobleynoel]

Michael Bashkin has influenced my building for decades, as a Colorado luthier he's been a center of gravity for all of us who aspire out here.

[@noname-fu2jw]

Wonderful episode. I hope you can talk to Michael Millard one day.

[@MichaelWatts]

I would love to

[@ant1sokolow]

I discovered the channel today.. Really cool to present guitar luthiers, their work and thougth about. Nice playing also. +1

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@robertpierce6444]

Interesting timing to watch this. I just received 2021 Bashkin with figured flamed maple & Swiss spruce. It’s an absolutely incredible guitar and I’m quite shocked on how fabulous it is!

[@MichaelWatts]

Congratulations Robert!

[@patberning]

Excellent! I really like this man (actually, both of you) Thanks for the interesting insights into the craft and it's people.

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patienthands]

Beautiful playing at the end!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much!

[@schorrguitars]

I have so much respect for Michael. There should be a season of Luthier on Luthier where each guest actually interviews him.

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s a very good idea!

[@terrywright7893]

What a delightful watch and listen that was! Michael x 2 is the way to go, apparently 😊

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much Terry!

[@cfibanez]

I didn't have half an hour to watch this and thought I would skip here and there to get through it. But Bashkin turned out to be such a calm, humble and thoughtful person that I watched the whole thing from beginning to end without taking any notice of time. Such a great guy! Also kudos to Michael Watts for this wonderful series.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Carlos! That means a lot - much appreciated

[@alastair6356]

The fan fret guitar sounds amazing, the looks are contemporary without being far out .The sustain is incredible the voice of the guitar stands out from the crowd. I love the wood grain which adds to the aesthetic of the instrument all helps in making it special. This guy is a master builder. 🤩👍.

[@scottfishkind5335]

Thank you for this wonderful interview Michael! You have a wonderful way of interviewing that clearly comes from a true passion and humility along with great experience as both a player and connoisseur of fine guitars! The luthiers you interview clearly have a deep respect for you and trust that you will ask them questions that are meaningful and coming from that place of a mutual love for guitars!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Scott! I sincerely hope so - I’d hate to waste anyone’s time and these are friends of mine who also happen to be some of the greatest guitar makers the world has seen. It’s an absolute joy have these conversations and share them with my audience here. I hope it shows!

[@Geotubest]

What treasures. Both men. There really is a difference when people put their hearts into the craft(s) they love.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much George

[@andrewbowen6875]

Love that old video with you playing the Bashkin. Even the bracing on the inside look marvellous. Another knock out episode

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Andrew! I’m fond of that old video - and great memories of that guitar!

[@TheTMontgomery]

Wonderful converstion.As a guitar lover and amateur player who appreciates the best instruments I stumbled into the magic of the good guitar tech and then the builder and master builder.I can easily appreciate the value in an instrument and have a better understanding of what I want in a guitar. This podcast also shows the extent of what is available for persons to enjoy on this Earth and why we could have a world without war. Watching a guitar build and listening to an instrument is so peaceful.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much for listening - and I wholeheartedly agree

[@andrewbowen6875]

Amen to that.

[@johnmurret2290]

I feel deeply indebted to Michael Bashkin for years of learning and enjoyment of his podcast. Great episode. Thank you for this one!

[@MichaelWatts]

As do I John! Michael is a treasure

[@davidharris7431]

I suppose I stumbled into it , I found some beautiful old wood and decided to build my first wall hanger .....it's a very steep learning curve . It's also completely addictive. Love this show Michael .

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much David! From a wall hanger to guitars is a steep learning curve but also a very natural progression and I can see how you’d get from one to the other!

[@migalito1955]

Nice. I subscribed to Michael's podcast. Did not know it existed until it was mentioned in the video. It will be a welcome addition to audio books I play as I work at crafting new instruments in my retirement shop that gives me endless hours of enjoyment.

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s wonderful to hear! Thanks for tuning in!

[@frankmoore1644]

Michael. I recently discovered you and your programming. Thank you so much for presenting these guitar makers and guitars. You’ve introduced a whole new world of builders to me and I hope to others. You’re a great host and great guitarist.

[@MichaelWatts]

I’m very glad you found me Frank! Thank you for watching and I hope you’ll stick around

[@kjbandguitars]

I love all of your interviews mate. Keep up the good work! It is endless learning for me, hearing all these great luthiers speak about their trade.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much! That means a lot to me!

[@MrGuitarMan335]

Love your work, Michael

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much Steve! That means a great deal to me!

[@Calatriste54]

Thank you, guys! Bravo. Heady altitude disphoria..

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much Scott!

[@howardcrane5902]

What a sweet dear and talented man. Michael Bashkin is a treasure. How you create such a beautiful container for all the wonderful luthiers in this series is a mystery to me. Looking forward to next season.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much for watching Howard - Michael is all these things and a dear friend. Luthier Stories was always a thinly veiled excuse to catch up with incredible people whose work I admire and maybe that’s the secret, if there is one!

[@jonahjunior9949]

Really enjoyed this. Interesting that Micheal Bashkin moved back to single sides, good stuff! He truly seems like a very nice human being with a wealth of knowledge. His aesthetics are truly top notch for sure!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Jonah! Glad you enjoyed it

[@VictorMatsunaga]

Another awesome interview, thank you for documenting this esotheric knowledge!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Victor!

[@bleeknoir]

Killing it Michael!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you!

[@steveleoni6502]

I am impressed that Michael has gone back to single sides. I have both single and double sided guitars and honestly somewhat prefer the single sides tone. But, I definitley dislike the weight of the double sides. So, good on you Michael.

[@MichaelWatts]

I know what you lane Steve - I’ve been double sided only for years now and I don’t see that changing any time soon but I am intrigued nevertheless

[@paulboden7850]

It might have been the altitude, but Bashkin's are known to be breathtaking. Was disappointed those Bashkin's didn't get to show off their potential. Oh well, maybe another time, but this video really was brilliant!

[@MichaelWatts]

The full videos are on my channel Paul and you can hear every detail

[@ObjectiveDynamics]

Altitude eh? It can be a real surprise! Thank you so much for this, great production as always. Michael Baskin is such a humble guy too!

[@MichaelWatts]

It really sneaked up on me but it’s all good! Managed to get 6 full takes despite it

[@chanpeter3608]

Super good acoustic guitar video

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Peter!

[@jez6345789]

Another great episode and I had to laugh when the altitude hit as I suffer badly from that but you soldiered on true pro thanks

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Jez! Yeah it’s no fun but that’s life at the cutting edge of international acoustic guitar demo creation

[@iwokeupthismorning2]

Interesting talk, I'm new to building (since the pandemic), I'm building my 10th acoustic now. I've been a professional guitarist for the last 20 years, I also liked to gather guitars a lot. About the laminated sides, I feel the same way, laminated sides guitars often feel and sound bright, powerful, crisp and very directional, the top realy is the driving force in that case (back can be resonant too but feels different when sides are laminated. I think I prefer unlaminated sides.. feels more alive and warm to me.. maybe I'll change my mind after building abother 10 hehhe

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching, I hope I’ll get the chance to play one of your guitars some day!

[@adamp7697]

Another fantastic episode, Michael! Yes, that altitude can be a bit shocking for us sea-level dwellers, but you bounced back like a pro 😁!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much Adam! I hope all is well with you. Mate, I was born in the Andes, and even that’s no guarantee if you don’t acclimate. Which I just didn’t. The clue is in the name. Rocky. Mountains. They don’t mess around!

[@PaulMcEvoyGuitars]

another great one. I really appreciate Michael both as a builder and a very kind human. Could you show your recording rig sometime and a basic idea how you're editing the videos? The combination of great camera work and perfect recording is really great.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Paul! Nothing is ever perfect but I can show you how I go about doing the best I can!

[@whythesadface]

You were at 3,000m running out of air. Here in Australia we run out of dirt at 2,228m ;) Once again thanks for the interesting conversation.

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha ha yeah, absolutely! Thank you for watching!

[@andrewbowen6875]

“What’s that in inches”😂 even in the grips of altitude sickness (no joke) you still got it Michael👍

[@MichaelWatts]

I try!

[@kennymac58]

Those are very nice fiddles! And great interview and playing. Incidentally, 9800 feet elevation is enough to significantly alter a person’s physiology.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Ken! Really glad you enjoyed it and yes - that’s very true!

[@johnsarlon9n]

I was wondering about the back bracing. Does he use that in place of all back cross braces and does he carry it all the way through the sides?

[@MichaelWatts]

All good questions John! I’ll see if Mike can chime in

[@nimrod2020]

Hi John: There is a capped x brace on the upper bout only and two lower ladder braces. There are side braces that are in the same position as all the back braces plus one extra between the end block and the first brace. Thanks for asking. Michael

[@johnsarlon9n]

@@nimrod2020 Thank you very much for responding.

[@RaysTrack]

Lovely interview again. Michael, can you say what guitar (and it's woods) you were playing between sections in this?

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks Ray - the incidental music is played on my Kostal Mod D in The Tree

[@sangirardiecavicchi648]

He’s a genius.

[@MichaelWatts]

Yes he is! Thank you for watching - I hope you guys are doing well!

[@tonymagrogan]

Great video, but it’s Ft. Collins, not Ft. Collings! Was that a subliminal mistake?

[@MichaelWatts]

Entirely deliberate play on words for the guitar nerds out there

[@tonymagrogan]

@@MichaelWatts I fell for it!

[@kevinwagner8697]

when at higher elevation you need more water cause the air is thinner.

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s very true!

[@kevinwagner8697]

@@MichaelWatts you also need to eat more protein because its takes more to make more red blood cells.