GreatDane
"up yours, baby."
from guitarism (interviewer is Turkish, I believe):
Can you tell us the story behind being a guitar builder?
Scott Lentz when looking for someone to paint a guitar body I had built. A lefty strat made from mahogany with a lacewood top and a Floyd Rose. This was in the early '90s. He painted that guitar and when I asked him to make a neck for my next project he told me to make my own! So that was really a turning point. Over the next 6 or 8 years I built a bunch of strat and les paul inspired stuff. He was a big help and inspiration. In those days, he would paint all my stuff. Until one day when he finally told me to "Paint your own guitars"
A major turning point came in 1990 when I quit my day job and enrolled in a trade school to learn machining. I built a guitar in that class using their CNC software and machinery which won an award. When I got my cetificates, I got a job working at Taylor Guitar. Meanwhile, I was working in my shop building guitars, and with Lentz part time. Around '05 I formally started "IanAnderson Guitars" and introduced my "Standard" model.
What has Scott Lentz gain to you as a builder or restorator or luthieria? How deep impact, impression does he has on you? How kind of person or builder would you be if you havent met him?
Scott has been a huge influence on me as a builder. The most important thing I learned from him is to have paitence! Also, I have always thought you need to know what a great guitar is, to make a great guitar. I am blessed to have been around all the great vintage instruments hat come through the shop for restoration, refinishing, and repairs. Where else are you going to get to take apart a '50s Les Paul or thouroughly inspect a black guard tele or '50s strat? Scott has been around the So Cal. guitar building scene for decades and knew many of the old timers that were at Fender, Rickenbacker in the '50s to current times. He has shared many wonderful stories, anectdotes, tips and techniques from the old days. He is also knew John Dopera and Grover Jackson, so his roots run deep. It is a real privelage to be witness to that and to carry on the traditions of southern California guitar making.
How did you design your standard model form? Do repair and restoration jobs have role or effect on creation?
“The Standard” was inspired by '50s Les Pauls. The Design came from working on the old guitars and having the appreciation for their classic lines. I wanted to take myself out of the guitar and create somthing that is timeless and classic. I drew from a deep well to come up with the Standard. I wanted to build the guitar in the spirit of the originals as closely as possible.
Your model “Standard” reminds Tele in appearance but technically it is much more of a Les Paul type guitar with its wood choice, scale, construction… What are the best aspects, the most significant advantages of your design?
The idea for the Standard model was to have a Les Paul inspired guitar with better ergonomics and fret access. I took the proportions of a tele which moves the waist back and the upper bout out which gives you more access to the upper frets and sits the guitar on your knee like a tele. It's incredibly comfortable to play.
How do you choose woods for certain custom guitar projects? What specifications do you look for a great guitar? And how is your drying/seasoning period of your woods?
My woods are sourced from all over the world. Maple is not maple, and mahogany is not mahogany! Geographical location, along with the species plays a key role in the woods I use. After that is is all about color, grain, weight, and the fundamental tone of the wood. My customers often want a specific look, color or grain pattern, which I try to provide if I can. I build guitars the way I know how with tone being the most important factor.
How long does it take to make a typical “Standard” Ian Anderson guitar? Can you tell us with stages of production?
The typical Standard takes many months to build. Using hide glue I often have to wait a week or more for it to dry and acclimate. The nitrocellulose lacquer process takes up to 3 months depending on the weather. The finish needs to cure for a month before buffing. I like to let the guitar hag out around the shop a bit after it's been strung up to acclimate to being a guitar and settle in. Using modern urethanes and glues I could cut the whole process down to 2 weeks if I wanted to. This guitar is not intended for the mass market. Nor is it for the faint of heart!
Who are your favourite luthiers, guitar builders?
My favorite modern builders are Scott Lentz, Max, Michael Stevens, Saul Koll, Tom Ribbecke. My favorites from the old days are Gibson, Fender, and National.
What are your opinions about nitrocellulose laquers and their most beloved dring and resonating properties?
I don't use lacquer for the tone, that is really an afterthought. I think an equally thin modern finish will sound as good, in fact I have made some guitars finished in urethane that sound outstanding. I like lacquer because of it's organic qualities. I can melt the coats together so the colors will bleed into one another. It has a different look, and over the years will aquire the patina of age. Time has proven instruments made with timeless classic natural materials are the ones that stand the test of time and have value. In 50 years I want my Standard to look like a vintage Les Paul looks today. My guitar is about feel and vibe, and I think a lacquer finish is a big part of that. Also it is what my customers want and expect. I just like it all around despite the time it takes to do right.
What kind of oil or material do you recommend for oiling/cleaning rosewood and ebony fretboards? What do you say about using mineral oils, petroleum oils or baby oils (liquid vaseline) or using natural plant oils like lemon?
For cleaning and conditioning fretboards and other unfinished hardwoods, I would recommend what we used at Taylor which is bore oil. Bore oil is made to coindition the bores of woodwind instruments. Some oils have polyurethane as an ingredient. Some get rancid and will make your guitar stink like dead fish. Others can gum up and plug the wood. Roche Thomas is my preferred brand.
What is your thoughts and experiences with basswood, especially Tilia Americana? Many companies use it on their low budget guitars, so it is known by some as bad tonewood. Actually, for me it may be good choice for some certain needs?
I like basswood and have used in in the past. Since it is so soft It needs a hard finish like polyester resin to add a hard outer shell. I would not use it on a traditional style guitar though. It's worthy of more experimentation.
I’m asking this quesiton to you because everyone may have spesific answers for that question and i like to learn yours; What is a good electric guitar for you? What do you expect from a good electric guitar?
A good electric guitar has to have a good tone first. Then a good feel and vibe. It also has to have a classic timeless look. And, be well constructed. Everything has to harmoniously exist from the wood to the colors to the tone and feel.
What are your opinions about reliced, aged instruments which are very popular these days? Why are people crazy about them?
Aged instruments provide people with a replica of the real thing which is in short supply and expensive. Everybody wants to capture some of the magic. Generally, I am ambivalent towards it. It can be fun, but on my personal guitars I take pride in the honest wear I have put on them from playing!
There are certain periods on electric guitars. What guitar trend will be popular in the next few years?
I think in the future, the guitar will keep splintering off like it has been. From the relics, to vintage guitar mash ups, to smaller builders pushing the boundaries in design and craftsmanship. I think more and more new woods will continue to be used. Some of the vintage type stuff will keep getting better and better. If people keep playing them, they will keep evolving. Also, it is great to see the electric guitar expanding throughout the world. If you told me 20 years ago there would be intrest in the type of guitars I am building I would be pleasantly surprised!
