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Brand New Laskin Klimt, Mun Ebony/Adirondack Spruce
Every guitar that comes from Grit Laskin is truly a work of art, and this is an ultimate example of that trend. Dedicated to the work of Gustav Klimt, it features “The Woman in Gold” (Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I) on the fingerboard. Grit Laskin flawlessly recreates the motif of this painting onto the fingerboard, using real gold in the inlay, true to Klimt’s style. The headplate of this Grand Auditorium guitar also features a recreation of “The Kiss.” Truly an exceptional work of art, this guitar, in classic Laskin fashion, could live in a gallery but also has a place in the studio. Laskin’s legendary arm and rib bevels outline the curves of this instrument, along with a sound port and a mosaic-style rosette, signifying a Grit Laskin masterpiece. This instrument has an Adirondack Spruce soundboard and Mun Ebony for the back and sides. The level of artistic contrast on this instrument is on full display with the back and sides, making it as socially enrapturing as it is visually.
SOLD Add to cartScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.155 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Ebony - Mun Add to Compare2003 Laskin Cubists Jumbo, Brazilian Rosewood/Bearclaw Sitka Spruce
One of the greatest builders of our time, Canada’s own William “Grit” Laskin is known across the globe for transforming the art of instrument inlay from the purely decorative to the downright artistic. Today we have his “Cubists” Jumbo, built in 2003 with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and a Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top. Laskin’s work has attempted to plumb the depths of artistic exploration for decades now, and it hasn’t reached the bottom yet. His engraved inlay here is a series of colorful Cubist art objects across the fretboard and the headstock inlay is borrowed from Spanish Cubism painter and sculpter Juan Gris’s work, with its asymmetry and pastel palette. Ringing in the soundhole is the square, the circle and the triangle, the geometric shapes that are fundamental forms of cubism, and a pencil offset towards the lower bout.
You can read even more about the Cubists build process and Grit’s inspirations in the second collection of his work, Grand Complications.
Everywhere else, the instrument has more traditional lines, with the addition of both an arm rest bevel and an upper bout soundport. Flatpicked, this instrument roars, with a much more well-rounded sound than its inlays’ angles would suggest. Thanks to the time-honored combination of Sitka Spruce and Brazilian Rosewood, the tone is rich and articulate, with a low-end that is fabulously clean and balanced with the other registers. This is the kind of guitar which will always stand out in a crowd–and that’s before you even play the thing. This guitar comes with the original Calton hardshell case.
Check out our previous demo of this lovely number here: https://youtu.be/MVJtocr16SE.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2021 Laskin Paul’s Vision, Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
For this our latest custom Laskin build, Paul collaborated with Grit on a concept exploring the therapeutic effects of nature and music in the light of our recent global pandemic. The result is this meditative piece sprawling along the fretboard, with a blue sea of present day issues offset by a sunset-clad musician seated at the headplate veneer.
The body features chocolate-dark, Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood and AAAA Sitka Spruce on top, plus Grit’s trademark Laskin arm and rib bevels for creature comfort. A stadium-shaped soundport at the upper bout; florentine cutaway; silver Gotoh tuners to round out the package.
The tone of this Mid-Size build is balanced and articulate, with great balance across the registers. There’s a sweet bump in the lower mids that makes the voice pop. In addition to the artistry up top, this Laskin has a gorgeous, engrossing sound that is an excellent option for fingerstyle work in Standard, as well as altered tunings.Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, inlay, marquetry, inlay art, cv-19, covid, fingerstyle, bespoke guitar, 280920, hoffee
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian pre-CITES Add to Compare2011 Laskin “Blueprint for Curves,” Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
The very definition of functional art, Grit Laskin’s guitars. Each one a piece unto itself, and this 2011 “Blueprint for Curves” is no exception. This guitar is featured in Grit’s book, Grand Complications (find it here), and explores his process in pulling this piece together with his client: “an element common to many of the themes we had debated was curves: the curve of 1930s cars, mid-twentieth-century industrial design, the female nude, Art Deco sculpture, and, of course, natural plant forms. So that became my theme, Curves. I went to work.”
And what work he did. The center of the fretboard is the scene of the actual blueprint, and as the waves of the fretboard extension and the Bugatti of the headstock come in contact with the blueprint they are reduced to line drawings to share space with a female nude and fibonacci sequence. The body of the guitar is comprised of gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood and a tight-grained Sitka Spruce top, with Grit’s trademark arm and rib bevels.Other keywords: lutherie, handmade, inlay art, guitar art, gotoh, calton, fingerstyle
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2004 Laskin Mid-Size “Boxer,” Ziricote/Sitka Spruce
With Grit Laskin’s guitars, we have high expectations. For such incredible art inlaid across the body, the voice must be equally incredible to compete. This 2004 Mid-Size model is proof: Grit’s aesthetic is indeed matched by his tone. We love the voice of this Ziricote-and-Sitka–Spruce guitar, be it picks or fingertips. The arm bevel and soundport keep it playing easy, and the inlaid boxer at the headstock offers a stunning visual companion on those rare moments when this guitar won’t be played. And when it comes time to bring this guitar along with you wherever you go, it comes in a custom Calton flight case for worry-free protection. This Laskin has opened up sweetly since 2004, and it’s got a clean and well-balanced response that’s a delight to feel and hear.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitar building, inlay art, inlay artist, artist, pearl, mop, dog inlay, schaller, mosaic
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.72 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Ziricote Add to Compare2008 Laskin “Blue Notes,” Brazilian/Sitka Spruce
Grit Laskin’s work occupies a singular niche in the guitar world with his elaborate, bespoke inlay projects and ergonomic innovations. This petite 12-fret steel string from 2008 is Grit’s The Blue Notes, and comes to us with dramatically grained Brazilian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce, florentine cutaway, soundport, arm and rib bevels. We commissioned this guitar from Grit for one of our longtime clients. If you have a copy of Grand Complications (and if you don’t, why, snag one toot suite!), you’ll find a more extensive treatment of Grit’s process with this very guitar on pages 58 and 173, as well as 49 other Laskins.
Number one, a guitar has to sound good. In this, Grit delivers every time. The smaller air chamber and 12-fret neck combine for a clear balance between warmth and note definition, and playability is smooth and easy. We have recreated the artist’s statement here to best explain the scene sprawling across the headstock and fingerboard of The Blue Notes.
“The inlay art on this small Brazilian Rosewood cutaway steel-string is entitled The Blue Notes. This design is my riff on the theme of “Dream Guitars.”
Thinking about the theme—guitars, dreams, music—led me to the idea of young senses, the sensibilities of children in other words, being more open to their creative expression than many busy adults.
In the scene, viewed from above, we see shadowed adults hurriedly walking by, across the fingerboard, oblivious to the music around them (represented by the red notes, emerging from the soundhole). In one instance the music is destroyed, crushed underfoot.
The young sisters however see/hear/feel the music the adults miss—for them, represented by sky-blue notes. The music is not only sensed by them, but flows through them, hence the engraving that blends their skyward looking images with the notation
The background material is Tahitian Blacklip shell in laminate form. This is meant to represent the random grayness of the street.
The red notes are Red Coral stone; the blue are clear Torquoise.”Other keywords: inlay, inlay art, engraved inlay, artist, guitar art, art guitar, william laskin, lutherie, luthier
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1999 Laskin Mid-Size Steel String Flamed Koa/Sitka
Art affords us an opportunity to experience something greater than ourselves. Occasionally, there comes a piece of art which grants us one step further; to be able to enteract directly with that greater something. Any guitar from Grit Laskin’s Toronto bench affords the lucky player such a chance. Take this one, the portrait of a portrait artist (Grit himself) painting the portrait of someone’s daughter. To experience this guitar visually, the eye is instantly consumed, from the intensely-flamed Koa back and sides Sitka Spruce top, roping mosaic rosette, to the portrait itself, where it can rest and ponder the curve of the engraved hatch marks which underscore the child’s eyes. Ranging from Gold Mother of Pearl in her face and Tahitian Blacklip Pearl in his shirt, to the Walrus Ivory of the canvas and the numerous stones that make up the rest of the image, the headstock is alight with rich colors and the shocking verisimilitude of the human figures therein.
An instrument, however, is not simply an object for the eye: let your fingers come to land on metal strings and frets, and the ear is given its day in the sun. The trebles flow like clean water, and bass notes roll out from the soundhole with vigorous force, rendering fingerstyle arrangements lush and complex. Across all the strings, the balance is surgically precise, and the voice has a quality of profound clarity to let each note ring out. And ring out they will–the sustain is haunting in its duration and timbre. If you’re interested in a guitar which will inspire you with each glance and every strum, this Laskin will more than fit the bill. If you want a guitar which stands alone, both in terms of its aesthetics and its voice, look no further.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Koa - Flamed Add to Compare2000 Laskin DIY Brazilian/Sitka
We believe Grit Laskin can do anything when it comes to inlay. He has made true works of art out of nothing more than a few pieces of abalone and mother pearl, depicting scenes of life and history. This little gem is called the “DIY (Do It Yourself) Vine”. It is in Sitka Spruce and Brazilian Rosewood and shows the all too familiar “Vine” inlay being assembled and destroyed by various craftspeople. As always Grit has executed this inlay flawlessly and with great taste, we love it. This instrument was featured as the demonstration of the inlay work in Grit’s book “The Guitar Makers Canvas: the Inlay Work of Grit Laskin.”
Not only is Mr. Laskin an inlay artist, he builds one of the finest guitars you are ever likely to come across. Every single motif in the construction has been executed with the utmost precision. The matching pair of Grit’s famed “Laskin Bevels” for the rib and arm rests make this one delightfully comfortable to play and hold and his refined florentine cutaway ensures both a classic look and ideal playability all the way up the fingerboard. As icing on the cake, Laskin guitars also sound incredible – you will find a full and even voice here with great warmth, perfect for fingerstyle playing. This is a true masterpiece, one that is equally suited to being played or displayed. An extremely collectible guitar, we just can’t give this one enough praise.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.56 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to CompareNew Laskin Southbound Brazilian/Sitka
SOLD, LISTING FOR DEMONSTRATION ONLY Grit Laskin’s work is brilliantly and masterfully executed in this, a tribute to the late, great Doc Watson. This is an instrument that conveys the entire music world’s appreciation for a man whose story and songs inspired and touched so many other lives. Made with with an incredible set of Brazilian Rosewood and premium grade Sitka Spruce, this one has already sold and is a true one-of-a-kind piece of art that sings. A Masterpiece.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to CompareNew Laskin ‘The Blue Trumpet’ Brazilian/Sitka
Grit Laskin built this amazing showpiece for this year’s Montreal Guitar Show. It is called ‘The Blue Trumpet’ and features a wonderous inlay theme with the words ‘What A Wonderful World’ adorning the fingerboard. The letters themselves are the Ebony board showing through the surround of various Pearl. Inside of the first 6 letters you will discoverd the Blue Trumpet in great detail. Topping it off on the headplate is an iconic image of the infectious smile of Louie Armstrong, simply one of the finest musicians to ever inspire us all.
For all it’s art, this is also perhaps the finest sounding Laskin instrument we’ve played. Grit told DG owner Paul Heumiller how delighted he was with the voice when he first enjoyed playing it in his living room. We have to agree, the Brazilian is very old and has the brick red hues we know indicate great sounding wood. As always Grit’s Sitka stash is out of the ordinary and just astonishly good sounding. Full of color and capable of great emotion. This instrument is completed with two Laskin Bevels, for arm and ribs, and a side soundport. We are simply delighted to offer this ‘The Blue Trumpet’ from Grit Laskin.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to CompareNew Laskin Small Steel String ‘Three Wise Men’ Brazilian/Sitka
Just in time for John Lennon 70th Birthday, Grit Laskin completed our latest commission. This guitar was a complete joy for us and what Grit came up with may be one of his most memorable Inlay themes to date. Here what Grit has to say about the project – “I was asked[by Dream Guitars Owner Paul Heumiller] to explore the general theme of “Peace”. I chose to incorporate portraits of three people who I feel have done more for the promotion of peace around the world than anyone else in our time. These three are: Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and John Lennon.Mandela and the Dalai Lama are on the headstock, depicted within the shape of a hand displaying the peace sign. On the fretboard, on a series of 5 different placards, of the kind one would see being hand-held in a street march, are the lyrics from Lennon’s song: “All we are saying is… give peace a chance”. And John is peering out from behind one of the signs.The inlay was created with 4 different types of shell, 9 different types of stone, metal, then engraved. It took 80 hours to complete.” – Grit LaskinWe could not be more delighted with any guitar. The body, extraordinary Brazilian Rosewood and Sitka from Grit’s amazing stash, features dual bevels, a soundport and a cutaway. The voice is angelic, sonorous and sweet with lots of energy. But the artwork is sublime, so realistic and so poignant, as only Grit Laskin could create.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2008 Laskin Mid-Sized Steel String Sunset Canoe Inlay Brazilian/Sitka
This is the 2008 Laskin ‘Sunset Canoe’ custom built by master Luthier Grit Laskin known as perhaps the very finest inlay artist of our time. This Mid-Sized Steel String is amazing in so many ways, the Brazilian Rosewood is among the best you can find as is the silky Sitka Spruce top. Grit, who author the book The Guitarmaker’s Canvas has created here one of his most beautiful inlays to date, in our opinion. The sun setting over a mountain lake, the canoe resting on the shore beside tall pines gives the viewer a sublime feeling of peace and invites the musical spirit to awake. The tone is as pristine as this mountain lake, with deep, round bass and full trebles that shimmer and shine. This is a one-of-a-kind and truly spectacular Laskin guitar and we are honored to offer it to you.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian
William “Grit” Laskin wears many hats. His primary one is that of guitarmaker, a profession he has pursued since 1971. His steel-string, classical and flamenco guitars are known and coveted around the world. Players of his instruments include: k.d.lang, Ben Mink, Rik Emmett, Tom Cochrane, Jesse Cook, Wayne Johnson, Tom Chapin, Garnet Rogers, Stan Rogers, Ottmar Liebert, Ken Whiteley, James Keelaghan, Michael Lauke. Commissions from guitarmaker colleagues and others within the trade include: Bill Collings (Collings Guitars, Texas), Roger Sadowsky (Sadowsky Guitars, New York), Dick Boak (director, Martin Guitars, PA), Larry Sifel (pres., Pearlworks, MD). His current waiting list of commissions is over 25 months long.
In 1997, He received Canada’s prestigious Saidye Bronfman Award For Excellence, the first and only instrument maker to be so honoured. He is also an elected fellow of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts, (RCA) and included both in the University Of Toronto’s “Who’s Who In Canada” as well as the Encyclopedia of Music In Canada. In 2010 He was awarded the Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Folk Music. Most recently (2012) he was named to the Order Of Canada (C.M.)., Canada’s highest civilian honour.
In addition to building the instruments, Laskin uses them as “canvases” for his engraved inlay art. He is now internationally acknowledged as having single-handedly taken the tradition of musical instrument decoration beyond the purely decorative. For Laskin, the inlay medium has become a tool for communication, not merely embellishment.
To encourage the growth and public awareness of the luthier’s craft, he helped co-found in 1988 (and twice was President of) the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.), the international trade organization geared to professional builders and repairers of musical instruments. As president, in 1993, he authored the first Code Of Ethics for luthiers.
An additional but related hat Laskin wears is that of musician/songwriter/singer. For over 40 years he has been a multi-instrumentalist performer of music, playing guitar, mandolin, Northumbrian smallpipes and concertina. He continues to give occasional concerts at clubs and music festivals across Canada and the northern US. He has recorded four solo albums of original music — the first two on Stan Rogers’ Fogarty’s Cove label — as well as numerous others as a member of various bands. His songs have been recorded by other artists such as Pete Seeger, Lillebjorn Nilson (Norway), and The Tannahil Weavers (UK).
Still wearing the musical hat, in 1996, Laskin, in partnership with Ken Whiteley, Paul Mills and Bill Garrett, three veteran producer/musicians, founded BOREALIS RECORDS, Canada’s first national Folk music label. 18 years later, BOREALIS represents 60 different acts and has a catalogue of 150 releases. IN 2005 Laskin gathered more like-minded folks and created the first full-juried national awards for Folk music, the Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA). In addition, Laskin is one of the coordinators of Canada’s longest-running adult folk music camps, The Woods Music And Dance Camp. He also sits on the Provincial Ontario Government’s Music Advisory Committee.
Laskin’s final hat is that of author. Most recently (October, 2003) he published A Guitarmaker’s Canvas ; The Inlay Art Of Grit Laskin. In 1996 he published his first novel, Angel Could Smell The Fire. His first published book(1987) was a celebration and documenting of Toronto’s thriving and diverse community of professional musical instrument makers: The World Of Musical Instrument Makers; A Guided Tour. It was the first book in North America to document contemporary makers. He is currently writing a follow-up volume to A Guitarmaker’s Canvas, with the working title of Grand Complications—The Inlay Artist As Storyteller, scheduled for publication Autumn, 2015.