In Defense Of Creativity

Well, It's been a little over a month since the Montreal Guitar Show. The excitement of international business travel has given way to the quiet return of "business as usual". I must admit it has been a little bit tough to get back into the swing of things. I'm not sure what I expected after the show, but it has been humbling to once again put on my repairman hat and plunge into the never ending flow of cheap broken guitars. Since joining the "blog-o-sphere" a few years ago, I have resisted going on any kind of negative rant about cheap guitars. I really do understand the need for inexpensive instruments. My first guitar was a copy of a Les Paul custom made by Memphis. I bought it for $60 and played the crap out of it for years. My whole life as I know it now was born with that guitar. So there is some value.

But, it is hard to remember that story in the midst of my current day to day reality. The vast majority of guitars that come across my bench are made overseas in huge production facilities. Visually they all look like classic American guitars. There is very little innovation, few creative ideas, and zero soul. After a while it just gets depressing. What are we creating with our resources? All of this precious wood gobbled up in soul-less trash. My main concern is that finely made things are becoming less and less a part of our daily lives. As we become further and further removed from objects created by human hands, we unknowingly lower our standards. Craftsmanship, care and pride, are replaced by units shipped, and everything...faster...faster... faster!

I have avoided this rant for years because there is no answer. This is the way of world at this point. I can't say that one way is better than another. Perhaps fine craftsmanship has always been reserved for the wealthy elite. Perhaps lessening our attachment to physical objects is ultimately a good thing. I don't know, my only hope is that people continue to appreciate well made things; to surround themselves with objects which inspire them. Please forgive me my self-indulgent rant. Apparently this all had to come out. I will now pay penance by posting a few things which I think are awesome!


James Krenov was one of my favorite woodworkers. Sadly he passed away in 2009, but his work continues to be a huge source of inspiration for me. I love the organic feel of it! His book "A Cabinet Makers Notebook" really planted seeds that I am tending right now.

"It’s not that I had a message that was outstanding or unique or anything like that. I just expressed the feelings that a great number of people had ... 'Live the life that you want to live. Don’t be unhappy in your work.'" James Krenov

http://www.finewoodworking.com/Gallery/Galleryslideshow.aspx?id=87

http://jameskrenov.com/


I ran across this video the other day and thought 'My god! How incredible it this!' What amazing vision! What an awesome project!



Finally, Mark Ribot. One of my favorite guitarist. A lot of his work challenges me, it's sometimes hard to listen to! He is a true original, he plays from way down deep. He's not afraid to chase his own artistic vision. Some day I will have the courage to create like him!