I've been lucky enough to own some pretty fine guitars in my day, from a couple of pre-war Martin D-18s through an absolutely gorgeous custom inlayed 1972 Larrivee, assorted Gibsons, Epiphones, Guilds, and a much lesser pedigreed Japanese Lowden/Flambeau that blew the socks of anything it came near for 15 years. I've also been fortunate enough to be a long time friend of Grit laskin who's instruments often go straight from the shop into museums...or into the hands of the very best players in the world......

.....but I gotta say, that after sitting across a radio microphone for thirteen years, interviwing, listening to, and picking with literally hundreds of guests, one make of guitar has stood out from the rest.

Had a chance to confirm this again on Monday, when my guest was super-celtic-picker Ken Brown.

OH THOSE OSKAR GRAFS!

I think they must just come out of the box with resonance and volume to die for. Ken's guitar shows a lot of wear and tear as would be expected from someone who plays with such force (Jason Fowler's amazing Graf is much more pristine...but give the boy time!) but the instrument can obviously take it. They sound somewhat like Lowdens, perhaps even closer to the work of ace luthier Nick Appolonio, but to my ear, seem to have more sheer power.

I don't see Oskar very often (he lives pretty far away) and this isn't a biased viewpoint, I'm trying to be objective. Just thought I'd brag on a wonderful guitar builder. Here's his website. strum

Rick

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