Fretboard Summit 2024

Written By Lindsay Straw

My first Fretboard Summit was an absolute blast! A weekend jam-packed with beautiful guitars and meeting and reconnecting with luthiers I’d worked with at TNAG and TME. Who could ask for more?

150+ photos later and I still didn’t feel like I captured enough. I’ve selected a few to show off on this page, along with a wrap-up video…

As I say in the video, I was there to support Jeff Jewitt, so I didn't cover the entire festival. Instead, I focused on a few key people.

I got a nice overview of the four guitars Jeff brought - a veritable feast of Redwood and Cypress! I captured some short demos featuring Tony Polecastro, and Matt Thomas on his brand new baritone. I also filmed a longer chat Jeff had with Richard Hoover of Santa Cruz Guitar Co. (I'll let him share the full thing, but there's a snippet in here.)

Listen to the Jewitt 00 Cypress here // Purchase info here

Follow Jewitt Guitars: YouTube + Instagram

I was also delighted to finally meet Virgile Pilon of Blind Guitars in person! He brought his 100th guitar, an incredible Ditson-inspired model made with Ancient Cypress and The Tree Mahogany. Getting to see his evolution of design and appointments over the last few years is really exciting. Much like Jeff, he's always pushing forward and innovating.

Follow Blind Guitars: YouTube + Instagram

Both Jeff and Virgile showcased guitars with Ancient Cypress, a beautiful, intriguing tonewood that's relatively new to the guitar market. Conveniently, the source himself, Aaron Lucas of Dark Forest Cypress, was in the same room with us! Naturally, I had to get a chat in with him to get the back story on this storied wood. (SCGC has also been building with it.)

Follow Aaron Lucas Guitars: YouTube + Instagram

Guitar nerds, enjoy!

Music featured:

  • Intro: Matt Thomas - "Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song" (Jewitt OMC Mahogany)

  • After Virgile's interview: "Nothing's Fifty-Fifty" (Blind B-26 Mahogany)

  • Outro: "The What Was & the What If" (Blind B-26 Indian Rosewood)

Lindsay Straw

Lindsay Straw is a Boston-based singer, guitarist, and Irish bouzouki player. A Berklee graduate, she blends roots music from both sides of the Atlantic, combining traditional Irish and Scottish influences with American styles. Performing solo and with The New Grown-Ups and The Ivy Leaf, she has three albums and a rich performance history. Known for her unique take on traditional music, she’s celebrated as a reincarnation of legendary trad singers of eras past.

http://www.lindsaystraw.com
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