On MAUI with Legendary Guitar Maker STEVE GRIMES - 50 years & 1000 instruments - Luthier Stories

grimesguitars.com
Steve Grimes is a legend of the luthiery scene creating exquisite flat top acoustic and archtop guitars and Ukuleles from his workshop in Maui Hawaii. In this video Steve and I look back at a career that spans over 50 years and over 1000 handmade instruments - a story told through 5 milestone instruments, three guitars, an ukulele and a mandolin.
Steve and I first met at the Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival and we became firm friends - it was a joy to visit him at his home in Hawaii.
This video was filmed before the devastating wildfires on Maui - Steve has taken an active role in helping his community rebuild and you can find out more about how to help him here treecoveryhawa...
I hope you enjoy this video - all the best to you and yours and I'll see you in the next one
Until then, stay tuned
Michael

[@aleesines4352]

The beamer. A guitar with a smile. That's cool

[@MichaelWatts]

Not bad eh? 😊

[@cckailua]

Wow, I live on Maui too and I build guitars also, only electric guitars do far, but eventually I’d like to graduate to acoustic guitars. I’d love to just sweep the floor at his shop and look over his shoulder, so I can soak it all up and learn more.

[@виталийживотовский-п8р]

These documentary films about guitars and workshops have a unique charm. With each film, your talents as a director become more evident. My prediction: In a world with thousands of workshops, in three years, you will be one of the most sought-after documentary filmmakers in the music industry. With each new film, the storyline becomes more engaging and the craftsmanship more professional.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much!

[@gordyhydro5774]

Mr Grimes has a wonderful sense of humour. Great interview. I wish I could just afford one of his guitars.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@gordyhydro5774 Steve Grimes is an amazing mammal and he’s a joy to hang out with! Thank you for watching!

[@danielbennett4234]

i took photo of his grimes guitars t shirt when i met him once, so i could have a decal made to embelish my cheap guitar since his skills and materials are so rare and expensive. he was so easy going. sat with me for lunch and then spontaneously steve and his frind jammed a set for an unsususpecting lunch crowd.

[@davidthebiker2955]

Luthier stories are my favorite! Love learning from both of you in these conversations. Thank you.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for tuning in David! That means a lot to me!

[@RemoSforza]

Extremely fascinating video!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Remo!

[@WesFanMan]

I absolutely love the work of Steve Grimes! Thanks so much for doing this interview.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks for listening! Glad you enjoyed it and Happy New Year!

[@AndreRMeyer]

'no ka oi,' one of Maui's finest

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Andre! hauʻoli makahiki hou!

[@Vladomar79]

Thank you for this video. I was waiting for something like this :)

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevevice9863]

He’s a fortunate man to be able to make a living doing what he loves! Beautiful work! His instruments sound lovely in your capable hands.

[@MichaelWatts]

Couldn't agree more! Steve is a treasure - thank you for watching!

[@auntyflo-fv1oc]

Mahalo Nui Michael. What a wonderful, delightful interview. And Steve - such wonderful humor, relaxed happiness. Very grateful. 🙂

[@MichaelWatts]

@@auntyflo-fv1oc mahalo! It was my pleasure! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@auntyflo-fv1oc]

🙂

[@alastair6356]

When you see a mandolin well worn you know it is been played with vigour and love for its sound. The guitars in the background of the workshop are like an Aladdin's cave of dream guitars the double soundhole guitar is some instrument and the arch top guitars are simply a works of art, it sounds amazing. Hawaii and guitars your in heaven, what more is there. I love the tennor uke playing superb. 🤩👍

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Alastair! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@theblueguitars]

MAHALO Steve and Michael. What a thoroughly delightful episode. Now we have to see some KZbin of your recordings!

[@MichaelWatts]

Mahalo and hauʻoli makahiki hou! Just tape rolling for those but we did have a wonderful music night with live performances that was filmed by some friends - that may see the light of day!

[@ericgiova1663]

This series is really fantastic. And this episode is so timely, just at the beginning of the year, out of the blue. Really, these conversations are super inspiring. Thank you so much.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Eric! hauʻoli makahiki hou!

[@donaldholman9070]

Thank. You

[@MichaelWatts]

You are very welcome!

[@pauldehorn]

Thank you! This is a great episode. 🙌🙌🙌

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching Paul!

[@gregpecknold2140]

Wonderful work Michael! You and Steve are true masters at what you do!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@gregpecknold2140 thank you very much for watching Greg!

[@PhilTaylorGuitar]

Excellent interesting and entertaining video Michael. Love the heart line concept.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@PhilTaylorGuitar thanks for tuning in Phil! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fretboardjournal]

Incredible! Thanks Michael!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@fretboardjournal thank you so much for watching!

[@daleskidmore1685]

Nice interview with a nice guy, Michael. Steve's guitars look and sound amazing. I began to hope we would see a duet, playing one of his songs too; oh well....

[@MichaelWatts]

It may still happen!

[@bleeknoir]

Love this series!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@bleeknoir thank you so much!

[@bleeknoir]

@ always a pleasure Michael!

[@tomellis1857]

Hey, old man, congrats! 2 more years till my 50th

[@AndreRMeyer]

Still waiting for the very very special occasion, when you Mr. Watts meet up with string instrument builder & musician, Ian Chisholm, in Ditchling, Sussex UK. Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland

[@MichaelWatts]

Everything is possible!

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

Wow---50 years congratulation.

[@jez6345789]

A lovely chat with one of the greats and some beautiful guitars. thanks

[@MichaelWatts]

@@jez6345789 thank you Jez!

[@mitchmalloy3468]

What a great man. Funny smart and talented. Now I need one of his mandolins. Great video. He should send me that Amanda and I’ll make him famous :) 😊

[@MichaelWatts]

@@mitchmalloy3468 🤣 thanks for tuning in Mitch!

[@ellenrik]

Wonderful and informative, real craftsmanship at its finest. Not too shabby playing on your part as well. Thanks for posting.

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it! hauʻoli makahiki hou!😊

[@enigmabletchley6936]

In a word: wow! I did own in the past a guitar made by another Hawaii based luthier (I think you can guess who). Those arch tops are just sublime. And his advice and insights are great. The acoustic resonance and tone of teh arch tops is amazing.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@enigmabletchley6936 so glad you enjoyed it! Was it a Goodall from when they were in Hawaii?

[@enigmabletchley6936]

@@MichaelWatts Yes, it was the Goodall Standard model in Sitka/Koa and quite an early model. It was a beautifully built guitar and I mean top notch but waaay too big to be comfortable. I had no idea the company had moved, I assumed it was still in Hawaii but that shows how out of touch I am!

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Micheal! Hauole Makahiki Hou (I hope I spelled it correctly). I hope you had a good journey.

[@MichaelWatts]

Aloha Victor and hauʻoli makahiki hou!

[@tomehCanada]

Micheal you sacrifice to travel to Maui for us. ;-) Another great video, thanks. Mr. Grimmes your work is spectacular and the double sound hole guitar out of all of your beautiful creations has caught my ear for it's unique, splendid character. I just put on my best headphones to go back in the video to listen to it again. BTW I checked out your own writing and songs and they are another treat. Witty and musically as pleasing to ear as your instruments are to the eye. Thank you for sharing.

[@NOHUHU]

I was so happy to see you come to the islands (SURPRISE!) and feature Steven, who is an old world craftsmen and fantastic guitarist. Please play some gigs in Honolulu when you visit, and by all means - try some slack key tunes to bring out the true nature of those native koa instruments. Mahalo Nui! 🤙🏼

[@MichaelWatts]

@@NOHUHU I would love nothing more! Mahalo!

[@riteshshukla2583]

Finally!! Mahalo Nui 🙏👏🏻

[@MichaelWatts]

@@riteshshukla2583 Mahalo! I hope you enjoy it!

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

Hmmm,,Very interesting for sure. Would like to see the insides. You guys are in the right place today 10deg F outside.

[@manaman545]

Steve Grimes No Ka' Oi

[@MichaelWatts]

Absolutely! hauʻoli makahiki hou!