Asher Guitars and Lap Steels

Butch Walker got a Bad-Ass Relic Asher T-Deluxe

2011-06-10T15:46:00.001-07:00

June 10, 2011

Butch Walker is a multi-talented artist, producer, song-writer – and now he’s playing an Asher Guitar.

He recently picked up an Asher T-Deluxe with nitro Blonde “road worn” finish work.

It has a one-piece select weight swamp ash body, 2 piece quarter-sawn figured maple neck, custom black guard and face dots, ebony pedhead face with pearl logo, Asher electronics and Glendale hardware. This thing is “sweeeet”!

Bill Asher works with Gavin Rossdale (Bush) at Las Vegas Gig

2011-06-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

June 4, 2011

Bill got a chance to get out on the road for this project – he ditched his workshop apron for his all black guitar tech ensemble for the Gavin Rossdale gig at the Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas.

The event was a celebrity-studded fashion show fundraiser with Rossdale and guitarist Chris Traynor as the musical guests. The set list of 6 songs included a Pink Floyd cover, and Bush favorites such as Glycerine and Come Down.

The duo performed on a stage overlooking the Azure Luxury Pool. Traynor played two Asher guitars that night: his Electro Sonic and Gavin’s new Asher S-Custom that was used for most of the electric guitar rhythm tracks on the upcoming Bush album. “The clarity and tone of this guitar worked really well in the studio,” Gavin told Bill when they met to rehearse for the gig.

You can check this website for upcoming Bush tours:

http://bush-music.com/tour/

Zac Brown Band on board with Asher Guitars!

2011-06-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

May 17, 2011

We’re a little bit of country, and a little bit of rock and roll. We are happy to announce that all-American country group the Zac Brown Band are now proud players of Asher Guitars. This band has taken the country music world by storm, producing 6 number one singles on the Billboard Country Charts in the last 5 years and winning a Grammy in 2010 for Best New Artist.

Two Asher electric guitar models have joined the Zac Brown tour and are making regular appearances at their recent live shows. Frontman Zac Brown purchased a beautiful tobacco burst S-Custom guitar loaded with Jason Lollar pickups.

The Band’s guitarist, Clay Cook, purchased a Tobacco burst T-Deluxe model, that he had Bill relic for that ‘road worn” look.

Even the guitar tech, Eric Pretto, is in on the Asher action. He purchased a Marc Ford model for himself and now even his Asher is being played on stage with the band (see the photo of Clay Cook with Pretto’s Asher Marc Ford model.)

If you want to catch them live, check out their link: http://www.zacbrownband.com/shows.html

Bill Asher in Westside Magazine!!

2011-03-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Bill was interviewed in this article in this months Westside Magazine. Here is the text to the story, or you can view the actual story on our website's Articles/Reviews page.

BILL ASHER

A local luthier is considered a master by legendary musicians.

By Margot Dougherty, photographed by James Acomb

In a sound-proof room off his home workshop, Bill Asher demonstrates the round, rosy sounds of a commemorative acoustic Hawaiian lap steel. It’s a gorgeous, zaftig instrument that’s one of the 100 or so guitars Asher and his small team, which includes his brothers Robert and Bo, make each year. The size of the outfit may be modest, but the client list is not: Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Lindsey Buckingham, Peter Frampton, The Black Crowes, and Rickie Lee Jones are just a handful of superstar Asher partons.

After building a replica of his Stratocaster in a shop class at University High School in West LA, Asher approached a local guitar store about a job. “I don’t need any money,” he told then, “I’d be happy to just put tools away and sweep the floors.” Thus began a four-year apprenticeship. Thanks to financial help from mom, Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery, and dad, producer-director William Asher, he took over the store’s lease at age 24.

By 2001, Asher wanted to concentrate on designing and building his own instruments. He set up shop in the basement of the Culver City home he shares with his wife, Jessica, and their two young girls. Asher Guitars now offers nine models, electric and acoustic, ranging from $2400 to $10,000. Whether it’s the Ben Harper Signature Model, the Ultra Tone T-Deluxe that Steve Miller bought, the Hawaiian lap steel acoustic or its electric counterpart, you don’t have to know a single chord to want one.

For more on Bill and Asher Guitars, call 310-821-2888 or visit asherguitars.com

NEW Asher Guitars Shop News Page on our website!!

2011-03-23T11:15:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

just wanted to let you know that we have updated our website with a brand new layout and design for the Asher Shop News page. Please check it out:

http://www.asherguitars.com/bill-asher-news.php

The new design features large image buttons linked to longer stories that you can browse and get up-to-date info on what's happening in the Asher Guitars workshop. News includes new projects, notable restorations, client news, and much more.

It will be updated regularly, so stay tuned!

Arlington Guitar Show This Weekend!

2010-10-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Come visit Asher Guitars in Arlington Texas at GuitArlington 2010 - the largest consumer guitar show in the USA!.

Here are the details in case you will be in the area:

Arlington Convention Center, Arlington Texas

Saturday, October 16 10-6pm

Sunday, October 17 10-5pm

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We have an amazing array of Asher guitars and lap steels for you to peruse, play and of course buy! Talented musician Ian Lawler will be on hand to showcase the various models and provide entertainment.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Electro Hawaiian Junior gets new color....

2010-09-16T15:59:00.001-07:00

The Electro Hawaiian Junior lap steel gets a new look - in addition to the tobacco and cherry burst, we now have the colors black and white. But if you are into something a little more decorative, check out the pin striped Jr.s by artist Pacman, of Line and Letter Co. He takes his mad fine art skills to work on hotrods, bikes and now guitars! This one is going to the Fender Museum charity auction for Steve Miller's Rids Rock Live.

Asher T Deluxe makes the cut for the Jackson Browne David Lindley tour

2010-09-16T15:56:00.001-07:00

Asher T Deluxe makes the cut for the Jackson Browne David Lindley tour

Mark Goldenberg takes his Asher T Deluxe to the stage with Jackson Browne and David Lindely at the Greek Theater Los Angeles.
Mark's report form the road is:
Bill hi,
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you that I'm really enjoying playing the guitar! It really has a voice of its own, thicker than the stock tele, and it's been a gas finding it's spot within Jackson's tunes.
Manny lowered the nut and action a little bit and it's become a real spoiler- super easy to play.
Thanks,
Mark

Asher Shout Outs!

2010-05-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

Asher Electro Hawaiian® lap steel player Chris Combs and his band Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (JFJO) will be performing their unique reinterpretations of Beethoven's 3rd and 6th Symphonies in a project titled "Ludwig.”

The 4 members of JFJO will be performing along side a 44-piece orchestra and will be filmed entirely in HD for a documentary feature to be released later this year.

“This will definitely be the first time a lap steel has been featured as a centerpiece of an orchestra and I'm very proud to be center-stage with my Electro Hawaiian®,” says Combs.

Orchestrated by Noan Faingold and arranged by Noam Faingold, and JFJO, these epic works have been reconstituted in a modern light. JFJO brings Beethoven to life in a new and exciting manner. Channeling the spirits of not only Beethoven & Karajan but Led Zeppelin & Radiohead as well, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey are turning Beethoven's 3rd & 6th symphonies into modern music for today's audiences.

Visit the bands website for more information: http://www.jfjo.com

Adam Ollendorff and his Electro Hawaiian® Model I lap steel will be joining Will Hoges band in a taping of a show that will air nationally on PBS. The acclaimed radio-concert series “Bluegrass Underground” is partnering with PBS to bring the unique “musical adventure” series to national audiences. Many of the episodes will be videotaped 333-feet below the ground in the acoustically pure Volcano Room, deep inside the Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee. Here’s where you can find out more information: http://bluegrassunderground.com

CONGRATULATIONS to Brazilian Asher Acoustic Hawaiian player Felipe Apolonio, who was recently nominated in the category "Best Musician" with the album "Fapo e Os Humanoides" for the Açorianos Honor 2009. "Premio Açorianos" is the "Grammy" equivalent of music in Brazil.

ON SALE NOW! Ben Harper Signature Model

2010-05-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

The Ben Harper Signature Model is finally here and available for purchase from Asher Guitars and a few select dealers around the world.

Bill Asher and Ben Harper together are making lap steel history by creating a legacy of amazing modern-day lap steel guitars like none other.

The Ben Harper Signature Model lap steel simultaneously captures the classic tone of the revered ‘59 Les Paul guitar, the unique vibe of a vintage Weissenborn, and the feel and sustain of an Asher lap steel.

This new model won’t be selling out anytime soon since it is no longer a limited edition, but an artist signature model. After many years of touring and hundreds of hours recording in the studio with his Asher, Ben wanted to continue to offer this stellar lap steel to players for years to come.

For some insane ear and eye candy, check out Ben in action with his Asher lap steel on his newly released DVD and CD combo of Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 - LIVE at the Montreal Jazz Festival. The DVD set is available for purchase on Benharper.net

Guitar Player Magazine review of Asher Ultra Tone

2009-08-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Pick up the latest issue of Guitar Player Magazine (Oct. 2009 with Steve Vai on the cover) to read the impressive 2-page review of the Asher Ultra Tone T Deluxe electric guitar. Check the Reviews/Articles link on our website to read the full review. Congratulations Bill on your hard work!

Asher Guitar on latest cover of Guitar Player Magazine

2009-06-01T13:35:00.001-07:00

Ben Harper and his Relentless7 wingman Jason Mozersky grace the cover of the July 2009 issue of Guitar Player Magazine (out on stands now). Front and center, however, on Ben's lap is his gorgeous cherry burst Asher Ben Harper Series II lap steel. The cover story, titled "Stripped Down and Amped Up" gives an in-depth look into the evolution, inspiration, and gear that contributed to the "gnarly hooks and transcendent tones" on "White Lies For Dark Times" - Ben Harper's first album with Relentless7. He talks about his challenging career-long quest to find tone that inspires him - which he may have found with his Asher guitar/Dumble amp combination. His signature Asher is his workhorse in Relentless7, and according to GP, features some of his "best sounding and most memorable guitar playing." Also worth mentioning, Ben Harper and Relentless7 newly released 2-disc album titled, "White Lies for Dark Times," includes amazing documentary footage of the band with him ripping on his Asher lap steel. It also has the Shimmer and Shine video featuring the Asher lap steel. This is a serious rock record that has all the power and energy of his live shows.

BEN HARPER LIMITED EDITION MODEL: SOLD OUT!! more news...read on....

2009-05-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

Going...going...GONE!!

The 100 Ben Harper Model Series II Limited Edition lap steels have sold out! It has been a really fun journey with this limited edition - gaining much exposure and inquiries from all over the world.

For those of you who regret not being able to snag one, another opportunity awaits you next year. Bill and Ben have decided that this lap steel design is to important to end here - The continuation will be Ben Harper's signature model with just a few subtle changes to keep the first 100 unique, prized, and collectable. This lap steel will now be a standard model that Asher and Harper will continue to offer to lap steel enthusiasts for generations to come. No exact details have emerged regarding the new tweaks and upgrades, but as soon as Bill and Ben make it official we will let you know!

And as a final sweet goodbye to the production run of the Ben Harper Series II Limited Edition, we were overjoyed by the news that it will grace the cover (and cover story) of an upcoming Guitar Player magazine. Of course, the story will revolve around Ben's music and his new killer band the Relentless 7, but according to Ben, his Asher lap steel is "the best, most amazing lap steel he has ever played."

Those are some powerful words. Thanks Ben for all your support, inspiration and music! And thank you to everyone who is intrigued by the lap steel, and wants to learn more about it to continue its future.

ONLY THREE LEFT....Ben Harper Limited Editions...get one now!

2009-03-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone....just wanted to let you know that there are only THREE Ben Harper Series II Limited Edition lap steels left - yes THREE. So, my point is, if you want one - call us ASAP. 310-821-2888. A $1400 deposit is required, then the remaining balance when the guitar is ready to ship to you. There is about a 4 month lead time as of now.

Yep, we are nearing the end of the 100 instrument production run. We've churned out some really killer stuff, had some really great feedback. These guitars will surely retain their value and playability for years to come.

Another Asher joins the crew!

2009-02-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

We are so happy that Robert Asher is back working with Asher Guitars!! Welcome back Robert! Robert, who is Bill's younger brother, worked with us 4 years ago performing repairs and doing specialty guitar work. He left for awhile to pursue other interests, but now he's back!

Robert is an incredibly creative artist with a great eye for detail. He is formally educated at Otis Parsons School of Art and Design in Los Angeles, and has remained creative ever since. We are glad to have him back on our guitar team.

Asher in new book titled "With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars"

2009-02-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

Bill Asher is featured in yet another book titled "With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars," by best-selling author and guitar collector Jonathan Kellerman. This book, which highlights Kellerman's favorites in his world-class collection of guitars, contains lavish photos, fun histories and personal anecdotes. Asher is the first featured guitar builder in the book (thanks to a last name starting in A) and contains a beautiful photograph of a Ben Harper Series I Limited Edition lap steel that Asher custom build for Kellerman. It has abalone trim throughout, gold hardware and a stain finish over crazy curly koa wood. It is stunning. This is a great hard-back collectors book for anyone who can appreciate art or music. With Strings Attached can be found at all major book stores including Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Check out the Asher Guitars articles and reviews page to read what Kellerman wrote about his Asher guitar. www.asherguitars.com

Bruce Bouton and His Awesome Asher

2008-10-31T13:39:00.000-07:00

Two-time CMA Award winner Bruce Bouton has some pretty nice things to say about his Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior, which he is currently on tour with Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson (2 Worlds 2 Voices tour).

This is what he wrote on the Steel Guitar Forum:
“We put a couple of Lollar Imperial humbuckers in and it sounds wonderful. I also had Tim Scheerhorn install a "Belly Bar' so I can play standing up. The Guitar looks and sounds great. I use it for the slide stuff that i do with Reba and Kelly. The more I play it the more I love it. The long scale rocks.”
Check here for tour dates: http://www.reba.com/tour/

Happy Touring!

Michael @Asher Guitars

Museum of Making Music Opening

2008-10-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

The opening reception for the Museum of Making Music on October 11 was a really special event for Asher Guitars. Four of our instruments were displayed beautifully behind glass and fancy lighting in the 6-month-long exhibit titled “The Magic and Mystery of Slide Guitar”. The Asher instruments, representing contemporary slide instruments, had good company – some rare historic Weissenborn lap steels, along with more exotic instruments from around the world.

A highlight of the night came during the concert that followed – slide master Sonny Landreth ripping on our new model - the Asher Electro Sonic neck-through guitar - in a rockin’ duet with the other slide master on the planet David Lindley. Sonny’s solo on the Electro Sonic sounded amazing – wish you all could’ve been there!

Here are some pictures from the event:

Billy looking suave with some sweet guitars and Sonny on the Electro Sonic:

Bill in a new book!

2008-10-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

More cool news: Bill Asher is one of the guitar builders featured in a just released book
titled "Hand Made, Hand Played: The Art and Craft of Contemporary Guitars"
by Robert Shaw. The book contains beautifully photographed instruments, both
acoustic and electric, that were handcrafted by notable artisans in the
industry. This is a really great book for any guitar enthusiast. You can
find it here:
Amazon.com: Hand Made, Hand Played: The Art & Craft of Contemporary Guitars
Happy reading and playing!

Michael @Asher Guitars

Asher Guitars at NAMM!

2008-10-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Great news, guys: Asher guitars recently delivered 4 lap steel guitars for the upcoming National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) exhibition in Carlsbad, CA titled "The Magic and Mystery of Slide Guitar." The show opens on October 11 and will be running for 6 months at NAMM's Museum of Making Music. The show will feature Asher Lap Steels, among other modern day notable slide guitar makers, as well as prime examples of the instruments that started the slide phenomenon. Check out the link to find out more about the exhibit and who will be performing in the slide concert series. www.museumofmakingmusic.org
Definitely check it out if you're in the area. Updates as more cool stuff happens!

Michael @Asher Guitars

David Hidalgo Solo

2008-09-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody - check out the sweetness of this solo by David Hidalgo of Los Lobos.
He's on an Asher Ultra Tone Single Cut Away. Niiice.

Michael @Asher Guitars

Review of the Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel

2008-09-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

Check out this review of the Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel on The Steel Guitar Forum by lap steel historian Brad Bechtel:
Review: Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior lap steel

Thanks Brad and thanks readers!

Michael @Asher Guitars

Ready for Subscriptions!

2008-09-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

For those of you with those fancy schmancy news or RSS readers, I just added a link for you guys to subscribe and get instant updates in your Google, Netvibes or whatever you kids are using these days.
Subscribe! (Or click the link on the right!)

Michael @Asher Guitars

Asher Guitars Facebook Page!

2008-09-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Asher fans, we've got one new way for all of you to stay in touch and stay updated with Asher Guitars and Lapsteels - a Facebook page!
You can find us at:
Asher Guitars and Lapsteels on Facebook!
Become a fan, tell your friends, and see you on the 'book!

Michael @Asher Guitars and Lap Steels

Welcome to Asher Guitars' OFFICIAL BLOG!

2008-09-05T13:26:00.001-07:00

Welcome everybody to the Official Blog of Asher Guitars. Check back here often for the latest news, articles, updates and photos from Asher Guitars including appearance and performance dates, website updates, and new product info! We'll also be doing our best to keep up with the exciting world of lap steel guitars and the beautiful music they wait, so if you have any leads or might even want to be featured with your Asher on the blog, feel free to leave a comment with us!
We look forward to seeing all of you around!

Michael @Asher Guitars!