News/Newsletter September 2009

Opal Mae Montuoro / The Fretboard Journal / New Model

There are few things in this world that are more exciting than a guitar to someone in the guitar business. The exception to that rule is the birth of a healthy baby girl. My beautiful wife and I welcomed our baby into this world on August 13th. Who says 13 is an unlucky number. At 7 pounds 3 oz she is already the light of our life and we are just overwhelmed with how easy it is to be so in love. I have already been told that as long as she goes to college she can build guitars with her Dad if that is something she chooses to do with her life. Either way life will just never be the same and now seems even more complete that she has arrived into our life. Finally something that transcends guitars! My challenge in life is to build a guitar that has more beauty and soul then my wife and child. It’s the ultimate job security as it is truly an impossible task.

“ Jaime and Opal I love you more than life itself. Thank you for being a part of my life I am the luckiest person in the world” !!!

This month just keeps getting more exciting for me. I recently received an advanced copy of the fall issue of The Fretboard Journal #15. I am of course very excited about this because if you haven’t guessed already I am in this issue! John Thomas has written a fantastic article on the Larson’s, their work and the very few people who have an intimate relationship with the building practices of the Larson’s. I can’t tell you how excited and honored I am to be in the journal. I consider it to be the best periodical out there for all things guitar with in-depth interviews and some of the most amazing photography in any magazine. Dare I call it a magazine because it is leaps beyond a magazine. There is a special section in the article talking about the relationship between Robert Bowlin, myself and a particularly special Larson made guitar. As well tons of insightful information for anyone who is interested in learning more about these amazing instruments and the replicas being built to carry on this very unique tradition of guitar making. Keep your eyes peeled and grab a copy!

Last but not least there is a new model coming from The Montuoro Guitar Co. I would like to introduce the Dreadnought Style 212. This is going to quite possibly one of my most popular models. It is based on a particular, special and rare Larson made 1935 Dreadnought that I meticulously restored and studied. I have painstakingly tried to replicate every small detail in construction and design to recreate one of the most unique interpretations of the Dreadnought design. The Larson’s are not known for their Dreadnoughts but they should be. This is one of the loudest, powerful and most articulate instruments on the planet. My first interpretation of this guitar recently made the way to its new home in England not too far from where the original guitar now resides. The owner was able to A/B the two guitars side by side and I received some of the best news ever. “Not only did it sound hauntingly identical in many ways it is a better guitar which is hard to utter those words, we were completely God Smacked “. They were impressed enough to immediately order another instrument. As a builder I am excited and beside myself with happiness. I am also keeping the ornamentation of these guitars minimal so they will be more appealing to players and I can make them as affordable as possible utilizing either Mahogany or Indian Rosewood back and sides. Always Adirondack soundboards, bracing and 100% hide glue construction with steel reinforced necks will make these some of the most appealing guitars you will ever lay your ears on I can assure you…..

As always I would like to thank the ever growing number of guitar players who have chosen to become a member of The Montuoro Guitar Co family. I am truly honored…..

Frankie Montuoro

September 2009