Official Luthiers Forum!

A friend of mine sent me a link to this article on the Daily Mail website [not one I tend to frequent] about Wayan Tuges, a guitarmaker in Bali, Indonesia. I thought I'd share it here for anyone who hasn't heard of him or seen his guitars. (I guess all the Aussies know about him?)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2456376/Bali-guitar-workshop-skilled-artisans-use-age-old-techniques.html

I've not heard of him before personally, but maybe he's well known on here already. Apologies if this post is redundant.

I wish I'd have known about him last time I was in Bali!

Very beautiful carving. Not sure about sound?! I'm not sure if they're made there or not, American luthier George Morris is involved too. Anyway, lovely carving.

How do you factor carving into making a perfectly responsive soundboard?
Some of the solid body guitars look interesting. Considering the cost of the local labor, "Thousands of dollars" might represent a large mark up. You can see quite a few examples on eBay.

I see the "Master" isn't above using a cheap Fender neck on one of his basses.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

First videos I found on YouTube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_A5TUK-djE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QiXA2vJg8I

The thing I noticed about all these Blueberry auctions is that they list the guitar at a ridiculously high price and then a best offer is accepted and it doesn't say what it was.. They would make a great conversation piece but I think most of them are gaudy looking....Mike

_________________
Another day, another dollar.

You might find more information on the brand over on the Acoustic Guitar Forum. Some people like them , some people don't. Looking a bit out of the "norm" some people form strong opinions about them without having any experience with them. I would be somewhat interested in seeing one "in the skin" before judging the quality.
Well known american manufacturers charge significantly higher prices for their heavily decorated models and are not criticized for the price or decoration, although many of us do not feel it adds anything to the musical side of things.

I don't like any carving on a guitar but I do like this even if it might not produce the best sounding guitar.