Archtop guitar maker Bill Comins started his career as an aspiring jazz musician. Thanks to that, he brings the player’s viewpoint into his guitars. “If I go overboard on making things very resonant, I’m going to be fighting inconsistencies, and as player that is useless to me on the bandstand,” he says. For our 34th episode, I sit down with Bill at the Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival, where he shares his player-led insights into archtop guitar design, voicing and amplification. Bill also tells us about his Guitar Craft series line and explains how he has successfully navigated the world of archtops for over 25 years.

In addition, I have a brief conversation with Peter Henriksen of Henriksen amplifiers, who is the the creator of the Rocky Moutain Archtop Festival. Peter tells us what it is like to put on a first year show, how the idea for it came about and his plans for the future.

Links:
https://www.cominsguitars.com/
https://www.henriksenamplifiers.com/
https://www.archtopfestival.com/

This episode is sponsored by Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, Gibson Guitars, Martin Guitars and Carter Vintage.