Arts
Larry Lashbrook is a world renown luthier ("a high-falutin' word for 'guitar maker'"), and the founder of Lashbrook Guitars. Larry's been building guitars since 1964, is the inventor of the Naturacoustic piezo bridge, and he is widely regarded in the industry as the maker of the finest sounding guitars in the world! He is is a passionate inventor and true revolutionary at heart with over 50 years experience performing set-ups and repairs and making high-end, hand built, custom guitars. He has worked with hundreds of professional musicians, most notably, Yngwie Malmsteen, with whom Larry has a strong working relationship spanning nearly two decades. Lashbrook's proprietary electronic components are the heart and soul of his instruments, offering tonal versatility like no other. Perhaps Lashbrook greatest achievement is the invention of his Naturacoustic™ piezo bridge, a Tune-O-Matic style bridge which utilizes tone wood construction and a patent-pending design that maximizes resonance transfer and creates truly authentic acoustic tones regardless of body type. Larry also developed proprietary humbucking pickups, and custom circuitry for his guitars which further expand the range of available tones. The Lashbrook LTH-1 boasts an unbelievable range of electric tones as well as authentic flat-top acoustic and big jazz guitar sounds, courtesy of the new piezo technology. The LTH-1 produces only natural sounds, there are no synths or chips, and there is no need for a battery or a preamp. The quality and range of natural tone can be attributed only to Larry’s keen understanding of electronics, principles of sound, superior engineering and hand made craftsmanship. The LTH-1, Lashbrook’s first production model is the culmination of his thorough knowledge of the instrument, countless years of R&D and his tenacious, inventor’s spirit. It may well be the perfect guitar! We cover a lot of interesting topics in this episode including: • How his world-class guitar-making business came about as basically the result of trying to impress a girl (of course!) • How and why you have to build the machines you use to build the guitars • Creating ultra-precise machines with parts scrounged up from the junkyard • The entire guitar making process from start to finish • The world-class musicians who swear by Larry's guitar • Combining "Old World craftsmanship" with contemporary technology • How he's able to make a concrete block sound like a pristine acoustic guitar through his patent-pending Piezo bridges • Forging a lifelong working relationship with prolific guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, for who he's built or modified over 100 guitars • How ADD/ADHD people make brilliant inventors, and getting lost finding your way home (just like Einstein) • An so much more!