Montana Guitar Talk

JOE BONAMASSA

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:51:44 +0000

It is pretty awesome to see and hear who by many is considered the world's formost blues guitar player: Joe Bonamassa. Joe held a guitar clinic for the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation last August. Here is a picture of him spending time on a Montana Guitar Shop OOO-SP. He is an avid guitar collector, toured with B.B. King when he was 12 years old, has 11 albums to his credit.

VOICING WHITE PINE

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:34:27 +0000

Typically the conifer trees (evergreens) are used for guitar soundboards with the Spruce varieties (Sitka, European, Adirondack, Engelmann, etc.) being the most common. Some of the other conifers used are Western Red Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Redwood and yes even Pine. Every different species of wood has it's own particular tonal properties and has to be voiced accordingly. Voicing a guitar top involves every aspect of guitar construction but what has the most effect is the bracing wood and how it is constructed and shaped and then the proper thicknessing of the top. To read an involved explanation I refer you to Ervin Somogyi's wonderful book "The Responsive Guitar". Ever loving to explore new territory I just recently finished voicing a Montana White Pine top for a 14 fret OM style instrument and judging from all the tapping; it is going to be a REAL CANNON. This guitar was built very understated (Butternut back and sides) with the intention of seeing how much tone we could sqeak out of what would be considered ordinary woods. Hope you get a chance to hear it!

Go for the tone! Rick.....

MADE WITH KOA AND LOVE

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:45:46 +0000

It is a real pleasure to me to correspond with my customers through the process of, first, how they want their guitar built and secondly keeping in touch through the building process. Letting them know where we're at. E-mail has worked so well for this exchange of ideas and I believe produces a bond between the customer and myself that helps create an instrument they can truly feel is their own. And I believe I have made a friend for life. From start to finish of having a dream guitar built it usually takes many, many e-mails and sometimes phone calls. And if you are considering that special guitar you can rest assured we will take our time and do it right and not rush the process.........

Here are a couple pictures of a recent custom order from a family that lives in Alabama.

Hand building Acoustic guitars takes skill and is time consuming so these guitars are not inexpensive. But I would like to let you know, guitar making is a labor of love for me and I am thankful to have the opportunity to follow this passion. I would like you to know as a prospective customer you will be receiving a QUALITY instrument that many makers would charge much more for.

Kindest Regards, Rick McCollum......Montana Guitar Shop

The Antonio Torres Formula (Modified)

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 02:37:25 +0000

Antonio de Torres (1817-1892) was born in Almeria, Spain and is credited with being the father of the modern day (especially classical) acoustic guitar. We have to give him thanks because we incorporate in our OOO-N nylon string a modified fan bracing based upon his design. Guitar makers have learned a few things since Antonio Torres and have many advantages (like humidity control in the shop) that he didn't have, yet it has been said that his guitars had "sound that transcends the sum of its parts". THAT statement is our goal at Montana Guitar Shop.

The soundboard and bracewood for this OOO-N modified classical is select Swan River Valley Engelmann Spruce. The bridge plate is select Washington state Yew . All these pieces are allowed to acclimate together for a period of time before being glued in the go-stick board.

After braces are expertly glued to the soundboard (joints so good...they become ONE) they are meticulously hand carved and sanded.

Traditional Spanish foot construction for the OOO-N. Select Spanish Cedar is used for the foot and neck construction. Since the arch of the back (15' radius) is trimmed with our (in shop designed ) side trimmer, the curve of the foot and end block perfectly mate to the arch of the back.

With African Padauk sides and back and impecable construction we have a winning combination to give a lifetime (and more) of musical enjoyment. You will love the tone and playability.....better than the sum of its parts? Wish we could get Antonio's assessment.

Rick

What's Inside.....THAT COUNTS...

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:59:37 +0000

What's inside REALLY counts when it comes to acoustic guitars and at Montana Guitar Shop we take our time to make sure your instrument will "HAVE THE TONE!". Bracing wood is only the most select. And unlike guitar factories is hand carved AFTER it is glued to the soundboard and back. Glue joints are done with good squeeze out (which is painstakingly cleaned) unlike guitar factories which must use a minimum of glue to avoid extra time with cleanup. We have developed through the years what we think is the best balance of strength AND resonance. A guitar with beautiful balance and extraordinary tone (and structural integrity) that will sound sweeter and sweeter generations down the road. Notice the cap over the X joint? We want your guitar to be an Heirloom your great grandchildren will cherish. Notice the bridge plate? It is quartersawn Yew Wood......yes the same wood bow makers use. It is very hard yet has a flex to it that is part of the reason a Montana Guitar has that crisp, special tone that is so enjoyed by listeners.

Let us build the love of your life! With Kindest Regards....... Rick

MONTANA GROWN WOOD

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:18:55 +0000

What could compare to a Montana Paint horse?

How about a MONTANA PAINT GUITAR from Montana Guitar Shop!!!! This pair of OOO-SP guitars are made of Montana grown woods and are they ever sweet to play.........and exceptional tone....... One has Paradise Black Walnut back and sides.....the other Paradise White Walnut back and sides. Both have Swan River Valley Engelmann Spruce tops. Fretboards and bridges are made of rare Montana grown Mountain Mahogany, not really a mahogany at all but on the Janka hardness scale as hard as Ebony. Naturally these guitars have all wood bindings and bracing is hand carved, you won't find a factory instrument like these.....

May we serve you by building the guitar of your dreams?

Rick McCollum

BEAUTIFUL CUTAWAYS

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:23:58 +0000

Thought I'd share with you a couple pictures of recently completed D-SP cutaways. God certainly created some beautiful woods......and they sound so....good. Both have Sitka Spruce tops. The first picture is Brazilian Rosewood the second is Hawaiian Koa.

Oak Guitar Bench

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:06:03 +0000

Wish you could be here to see my new guitar work bench, it is awesome. All solid oak, it is trimmed with purpleheart (as are many of my guitars). It was built by my friend Rick Celata of R.P. Celata & Sons, Dillon, Montana. I'm so excited about it I just had to share a couple pictures of it with you. It is extremely well made and is a beautiful example of real craftsmanship. Thanks Rick!!!

BANNACK DAYS

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:28:01 +0000

In 1862 John White discovered a rich deposit of gold on Grasshopper Creek and that was the beginning of Bannack, Montana. News traveled fast and by the next spring the population had grown to 3,000 people. Bannack went on to be the first territorial capital of Montana and has quite a colorful history. There are still about 60 existing structures left and fortunately Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks does a wonderful job of maintaining Bannack and has turned it into a state park. Every year in mid July Bannack Days is held to celebrate the history of this wild west settlement. Exhibits of everything from gold panning, candle making, blacksmithing, quilting, hat making, spinning & weaving, lots of old time music and much more take place. This year Montana Guitar Shop was invited to set up a shop to exhibit hand made guitar building......and did we ever have fun! Bannack is open year round and may be contacted at www.bannack.org.

Rick playing a Brazillian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce creation. photo Amy Brooke

"Hay Wire" playing in the Hotel Meade (John Bacon on fiddle).

Gerben Celata didn't give up until his parents purchased a 00-P Parlor guitar for him.

"The Junior Fiddlers" play on the porch of Hotel Meade.

Jerry Burtts is a one handed guitar player / singer who would amaze you.

Ross Stocker witnessed the last gunfight in Bannack in 1932 and sings about it.

Annette and I were priviledged to sing and play "How Great Thou Art" in the old Bannack Church Sunday morning. We were accompanied by John Bacon (on fiddle) and company.......it was a joy. The church building was built in 1877 by Brother Van (a horse traveling preacher) and Bannack towns people.

Rick

MONTANA COUNTRY MUSIC ICONS

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:27:12 +0000

Working at the Montana Guitar Shop can be a pretty exciting thing. This week my friends Tim Ryan and Rob Quist stopped by to see what I was up to; naturally.....building guitars. If you haven't seen or heard them before they are the best that Montana has to offer in country music. They are both prolific songwriters, guitarists, performers, and band leaders. To have them both corralled in my shop and house for a couple hours was a real treat. To hear them picking Montana guitars around the kitchen table was too cool. They will be playing together for awhile in the Mission Mountain Wood Band and then Tim will be headed back to Nashville and Rob to his many musical endeavors. Though both Tim and Rob have been in the national scene with touring and hit songs......they are really just down home Montana boys.

Rick

NEW!!! OO-P PARLOR GUITAR

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:53:52 +0000

We just finished a pair of 00 Parlor guitars and are they ever sweet. They are a 12 fret model and made of mostly Montana grown wood; Swan River Valley Engelmann Spruce top and Paradise Black Walnut back, sides and neck. The only non-Montana wood is an Ebony fretboard, bridge, and peghead veneer.

Patterned after turn of the century Martin parlor guitars these instruments have a 24.5" scale length and are a dream to play. The tone is exquisite, wonderful balance, rich sounding.

These guitars are made with simple appointments but very elegant in every aspect. They are Montana Guitar Shop's most affordable flat top acoustic. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!! These are heirloom quality.

Please e-mail us for a price quote. Equiped with Gotoh mini-tuners and comes with fine Gator hardshell case. So good I hate to let them go.

Rick

NEW LIGHTER SNAIL

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:44:26 +0000

Because of the influence of Walkin' Jim Stoltz we are coming out with a lighter weight SNAIL travel guitar, without compromising tone or playability. Rather than using Walnut for the necks and headblock we are switching to Phillipine mahogany which is lighter, yet very stiff. Also the headblock will have a hollow cavity and the truss rod will be a lighter one. We have begun production of a batch of the new SNAILS and are anxious to see them done. We want to take every extra ounce of weight off the backs of guitar playing, back packing troubadours and really make the SNAIL cutting edge for tone, playability and ease of packing. Because we know your music and perhaps song writing is important to you, just like it is to Jim Stoltz.

By the way Walkin' Jim recently finished a 500 mile trek through eastern Nevada and we want to share a few of his pictures with you.

The north end of Schell Creek Range

Playing music in the Schell Creek Range

Music at the campsite

Singing at Verdi Lake

With a little help from his SNAIL Jim was able to write three new songs and get started on two others on this trek.
Rick

We are sorry to tell you that Walkin' Jim Stoltz passed away September 3rd, 2010. We will miss him and his stories and songs. Rick

GUITAR CUISINE

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 21:19:52 +0000

Deciding on all the details of your custom made Montana Guitar Shop instrument is a very personal thing and I will be happy to work with you via e-mail as long as it takes to arrive at what is exactly right for you. HOWEVER! If you could possibly be in our area (Paradise is 70 miles NW of Missoula) we would love to have you over for dinner. We would like to get to know you and talk about your very special guitar in person.

It just so happens that my lovely wife, Annette, is a very accomplished cook and we would like to treat you to a special evening and take time to choose the style, the woods, inlay work, and every aspect of your musical investment. After dinner we can spend some time in the shop that you might have a better understanding of the time and craftsmanship that goes into our guitars.

Please e-mail us so that we can put you on the calendar........looking forward to meeting you.

Kindest Regards,

Rick & Annette McCollum rick@montanaguitarshop.com

INVEST IN GUITAR GOLD

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:27:52 +0000

Did you realize that purchasing a Montana Guitar Shop instrument is a good investment? Our handmade, Montana made guitars will only increase in value as time goes on.........not only in dollars but in value to you and those that it may be passed on to. Because there are no stops concerning the beauty, the tone, the playability,and the craftsmanship, you can expect your guitar made by Rick McCollum to keep sounding sweeter as the wood ages and as they are played through the years. And we wouldn't expect your guitar to leave your family but should you ever part with it, you can expect that it will be a better investment than GOLD.

Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:53:41 +0000

Here it is! An Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer from Montana Guitar Shop. And you thought we just made guitars and an occasional mandolin. These Dulcimers are REALLY user friendly and have a mystical Celtic like sound to them. This particular one is Paradise Black Walnut back and sides, Englemann spruce top and Padauk fretboard. Very easy to play and a wonderful keepsake. We also make a very indestructable case to go with it.

Walkin' Jim Stoltz

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:04:24 +0000

We are glad to have Walkin' Jim Stoltz endorsing Montana Guitar Shop. "Keep on making those beautiful guitars." Thats just what we plan on doing Jim.

Folksinger and songwriter (8 cd's), adventurer, long distance back packer, photographer, artist and author, Walkin' Jim Stoltz has taken to the backcountry of North America, walking the last wild places for months at a time, nearly every summer since 1974. His long treks have included journeys from Georgia to Maine along the Appalachian Trail, from Mexico to Canada via three different routes, from coast to coast, Yellowstone to Yukon- well over 25,000 miles in total.

For over thirty years Stoltz has celebrated the natural world through his songs and concerts. It is quite a treat to visually see where he has been (a breathtaking slide show) as he plays guitar and sings about his wonderful adventures.

This year as Walkin' Jim heads out on the long trail he will be bringing along a Snail travel guitar (the Cadillac of travel guitars) so that he might bring good tone and musical inspiration with him. Be sure and check out Walkin' Jim's website at www.walkinjim.com.

We are so sorry to tell you..... Walkin' Jim passed away September 3rd, 2010. We will miss him, he was a very unique and talented man. Rick

SIMPLY A LUTHIER

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:14:56 +0000

To read the March 2009 newpaper article by the Missoulian, Click Here.

LUTHIER IN PARADISE

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:29:43 +0000

To view the March 2009 slide show featured by the Missoulian, Click Here.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:22:24 +0000

We have a beautiful D-SP Koa for sale. The tone is deep and rich. The nut is 1 3/4" and the scale length is 25.4". Fretboard and bridge are ebony. The top is Sitka spruce with a bird's eye maple roseatte. Back and sides are Koa with a wedge of flamed maple down the back. The bindings are purpleheart and maple with a gorgeous wood purfling. This guitar is a treasure with a pearl and abalone lillie inlaid in the peghead. $3,250.00. SOLD

This page only has a random sampling of what is available. Please e-mail Rick to see what he may have in stock at any given time. Thank you.

This is a guitar player's guitar. This 000-SP has a bear claw Sitka spruce top and an African Mahoghany back and sides. Bindings are purpleheart and maple with herringbone purfling and roseatte. Schaller tuners. Very sweet tone and projection for this 12 fret vintage style guitar. $2,750.00.

The SNAIL travel guitar is the Cadillac of travel guitars. It fits in that nich to give you more playing time and enjoyment. Unlike many other travel guitars the SNAIL has a full 24.9" scale length and tone that is beautiful, balanced with excellent sustain. Take it in the car, traveling, to the office, hiking,stows on the airlines, etc., etc. Most our snails are black walnut back and sides with cedar top and East Indian Rosewood fretboard and bridge. These guitars have excellent Gotoh mini tuners and truss rod. Very fun to play. $589.00 w/gig bag Special figured cedar & Ebony fretboard-bridge $750.00 w/gig bag

SIDE TRIMMER

admin@montanaguitarshop.com (Rick McCollum) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:54:30 +0000

Our full size guitars at Montana guitar shop are built with curved backs with a 15' radius running lengthwise and widthwise. Rather than using the concave sanding discs that most shops use to trim the sides of the guitar before the back goes on we invented our own jig that trims very cleanly and accurately. Backs fit very precisely which is another aspect of building stress free guitars. Using a router the mechanism glides on ball bearings and is adjustable for different size guitars. Note that head and tail blocks are also carved at the precise curve to match the sides.