News is out on Facebook that Don Young has passed away due to undisclosed causes.
It's with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to my dear, dear friend DON YOUNG. Don was the co-founder of NATIONAL RESO-PHONIC GUITARS, Inc. Beginning in 1989, Don, with co-founder McGregor Gaines, started building reproductions of 20's and 30's Nationals in Don's parents garage, then opened a small factory in San Luis Obispo, California that continues to this day to build the world's finest resophonic guitars. He passed away yesterday, June 15th.
Don was always funny, and generous, and a fine musician himself. He always had time for everyone, loved his work with a great passion, and left us a giant legacy. Rest in Peace Brother. You will be missed.
I was at the first ever three day Berkeley Bluegrass Festival last Sunday and the headliner was The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band with Herb Pedersen. Oh man - were they ever good. Ran like a Swiss watch.
Not your typical "festival" per se, held indoors at The Freight & Salvage Coffehouse, a venue which only seats 220 people, but absolutely one of the best places to see music in Northern California.
Out in the lobby was a lady named Dana who is a traveling vendor of sorts that has a booth at various festivals. She sells straps, picks, bars, etc. I bought a cool new redesigned G7 guitar capo, it's already become my favorite.
She had several instruments for sale including the dobro in the photos. Sorry about the quality - quick iPhone shots between one of the sets, they are not even close to doing it justice.
Hardshell case. More pictures on request.
Made it over to Gryphon Stringed Instruments this afternoon for a test run of their latest selection of resonator guitars. They have three that I'd buy right away if I needed one: A Beard Guitars model R, a Scheerhorn/National Rob Ickes model, and a 2000 Tut Taylor Virginian.
I'd be really happy with any of them (especially if I'm paying with YOUR money), but the Beard really spoke to me the best. It's fascinating to be able to sit down and play three great guitars side by side and hear the very subtle differences that differentiate each builder's approach.