Everything You Need To Know About The Making Of My New Casimi Guitar

[@artvandelay1555]

Flamenco really moves me also. One needs a steel string also for cross training. I little wider fret board is always nice. Some are so narrow. A talented luthier is Karel Dedain in Belgium. You might want to check out his work.

[@ChrisCardenDrums]

I think it's fair to say you have a signature model with not just one but two world-renowned makers. I mean a deep body 00-ish sized casimi with no cutaway, I'd qualify that as a new model. That's pretty incredible and very well deserved.

[@chrisvorster5951]

I really appreciate the idea of using the broken and imperfect part of the wood to make something unique and beautiful. My personal goal is to restore and repurpose damaged older instruments to not only playable, but also capable of making beautiful music again after sitting in a barn or worse for 50 years or more waiting to make music. Beautiful guitar by the way.

[@artvandelay1555]

I am surprised they are in Capetown from what i hear about the security situation, but i do not live there. Even the Mexican Cartels have set up shop. It is not always possible just to pick up & move. I am happy their hard and tedious work is paying off. Bravo.

[@stonehenge313]

Gosh, I can hardly wait to see what you create with it~!

[@brucebyrnes125]

What an absolutely exquisite guitar. There is so much sound and resonance that it almost sounds like a piano. Congratulations Michael, may you have many years of joy creating sonic art with this masterpiece.

[@joenorah]

I love your quote about the new guitar as “the best it’s ever going to look and the worst it’s ever going to sound”. Very succinct but also very profound.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Joe! I stole it from someone else but I can’t remember who.

[@kalleblom5564]

gosh ... I want this guitar. doesn't get any better

[@MichaelWatts]

@@kalleblom5564 this one is mine I’m afraid - but you could get your own!

[@paulboden7850]

Mysterious forces, wizardry and alchemy all at work here. This extraordinary Casimi is revealing itself to be a new benchmark.

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha! Very true!

[@cfibanez]

Congrats Michael to your new instrument! Matthew and Matthias are not only amazing creators, but also some of the warmest and gentlest individuals I've met. In my case, as the case cover arrived at the last minute before my flight, they both drove from their workshop in Muizenberg to Stellenbosch where I was staying to deliver the instrument to me on time for my departure. So caring! Also, I just have to agree with everything that is being said here about the sound of their instruments, specially the resonance and dynamic range. Simply breathtaking. It pushes your playing in a totally new direction. Such a joy!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much and yes, I could t agree more. Matthew and Matthias’s absolute refusal to compromise in any aspect of what they do is admirable! I hope we will get the chance to compare instruments at some point.

[@howardcrane5902]

I have a new appreciation for an ellipse. Thank you and Mazel Tov on an incredible new instrument.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Howard!

[@alandaniels7726]

mountains of joy and appreciation......glorious....

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Alan!

[@akfisher7138]

wow. Agree with size/shape. Love flamenco size and sound. I think the perfect sound and holy grail, is a steel string with the sweet chime and balance of a classical! Very few luthiers get there, though of course do produce other beautiful sounds but for me, the delicate chime is missing. This is it!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching!

[@ellenrik]

Does that guitar ever stop resonating? What a wonderful instrument and such a rich tone. I wish you many happy years of playing it. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@MichaelWatts]

It does, eventually… what is really staggering is the way it stops absolutely dead when you want it to. Very impressive.

[@crissmith2911]

Loved Matthew's insight on the ellipse. The way he described the movement inherent in this shape made me think of planets in orbit.

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s a very good point Cris!

[@RemoSforza]

There are no words to describe the beauty of this guitar!

[@MichaelWatts]

I have to agree!

[@RonanSkillen8]

Always inspiring to hear the stories, see behind the scenes of why and what, and hear the reasons for what the choices represent. Brilliant collaboration for real beauty to emerge.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for listening Ronan!

[@jonmarston4166]

What a beautiful guitar, Looks amazing and sounds exquisite 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼👌❤️ magicians 🎶

[@PeteBrownGuitars]

What a stunning creation, Michael. And to think: it's life has only just begun!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Pete!

[@amphonix_blue]

Fascinating discussion Michael - love the sound. I have two African Blackwood acoustics - one of which you sold me down at Ian's gathering a few years back now. - the Kostal. It's the one I pick up most often, even though we had finish problems with it when it was young. So pleased for you that this one came out so well 🙂

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Mike - really good to hear from you!

[@rp-lopez]

Absolutely beautiful. If it's not too much trouble Michael, what is your advice (not necessarily financial but emotional, etc) to guitar players who would really like to get to the point where they can commission a guitar like this, but are perhaps frustrated that it might take 20 years lol

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much for watching. It would be a lot less than 20 years but I know what you mean. I do have a video on my channel giving advice about custom guitars and specs etc. Have a look and if that doesn't answer your question then I will try again.

[@rp-lopez]

@@MichaelWatts thank you Michael! Congratulations on your new Casimi, it's a masterpiece. I'm looking forward to what music you create with it!

[@TheCurtissJohnson]

Congratulations, Michael! Casimi's are strikingly beautiful instruments, yours in particular. Enjoy the process of getting to know your new companion in the months and years ahead!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Curtiss!

[@rtravisboyd]

Such a beautiful piece, and even over the internet and KZbin, your Birdseye sounds just incredible. Enjoying this video premiere!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Travis!

[@rtravisboyd]

​@@MichaelWatts No, thank you! I also have an affinity for Kintsugi and wabi-sabi ideals, although I have yet to spend time in Japan. I also share your love of bronze and African Blackwood. This is similar to a guitar I've dreamt of for years, truthfully, I feel a connection to this guitar, albeit not the same as you do. I have followed its development so passionately my wife has begun to worry about me! I'm excited for it to finally be home with you and for the joy, it will bring to your fans as we listen to it improve over the years. It suits you well.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@rtravisboyd that means a lot to me Travis, thank you

[@rtravisboyd]

@@MichaelWattsyou’re very welcome, good sir.

[@stephensonfamily3997]

Beautiful story beautiful instrument

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching!

[@stevehowell231]

These guitars look and sound fantastic.

[@MichaelWatts]

I agree Steve!

[@chrisosseweijer2798]

I absolutely love this episode. Thank you guys.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks Chris! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidpotsdam]

You are a lucky guy I hope some luck rubs off on me .I want a guitar of that caliber . Thanks to Matthias Poux and matthew Rice. magnificent guitar.

[@MichaelWatts]

I hope it does too David!

[@arnhemseptember2009]

That was fun! Stunning instrument....

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you!

[@PaoloRS1]

wonderful video, thanks for making it.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks for watching Paolo!

[@theblueguitars]

Such an enjoyable episode!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you!

[@cannaguitars4593]

You inspired me to design my headstock the way I did. Thank you guys! Love your work!

[@bradlombardozzi4552]

Your guitars are also inspiring, I have a great idea for bracing but don’t know how to present it.

[@cannaguitars4593]

@bradlombardozzi4552 hit me up. I am always open to new ideas.

[@gilbertwalker3222]

Beautiful video, as always!

[@patberning]

Masterpiece !

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks for watching Pat!

[@garywhitt98]

Wow. What a sound!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks for watching Gary!

[@frankcousins6479]

Interesting what you say about the choices made and what you 'normally seek out'. I have always been a fan of 'taking a risk' - knowing that the instrument is great and then challenging yourself to get something new from it... although my ability restricts this somewhat. ;-) But in all seriousness, I do feel that one reason we so many custom instruments sold on, if because most owners simply don't want to depart from their own norms? So exceptional instruments just 'dont do it for them' as opposed to welcoming the journey of something unique?

[@nimrod2020]

Beautiful

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you sir!

[@terrywright7893]

Wonderful video and what lovely guys!

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it Terry!

[@nicolasperezluthier]

Amazing talk ! Congrats on this astonishing guitar.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Nicolas!

[@cugir321]

Wonderful sound!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you!

[@steveleoni6502]

I apologize if I missed it, but, what is the topwood on this guitar?

[@MichaelWatts]

It’s Alpine spruce Steve - no apologies necessary

[@to_baldly_go]

Let's go ❤

[@scottfishkind5335]

Thank you for sharing this! Such an inspiring process with such inspiring and creative artists! Congratulations on your new beautiful guitar! How does one look around their room at two Kostals and Casimi and know which one to play?? A nice dilemma to have!!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Scott! Guitars are like paintbrushes - each one has a use for broad strokes or fine detail.

[@Chanpanpapi]

you should interview a flamenco luthier!!

[@MichaelWatts]

Not my area of expertise I’m afraid but I wouldn’t rule it out.

[@andsoistopped]

But does it djent? 😘