1983 William ‘Grit’ Laskin Classical

William "Grit' Laskin is one of Canada's most highly regarded luthiers, and an artist with many international accolades to his credit. He is among the most meticulous craftspeople in the luthiery business, and one of the 7 Canadian Luthiers to have participated in the Group of Seven Guitar Project curated by the McMichael Art Collection. Laskin learned his craft under the tutelage of Jean Larrivée during the early 1970's, alongside Linda Manzer and Sergei DeJonge, and later accompanied by other Group of 7 builders Tony Duggan-Smith, George Gray, and David Wren.

This instrument was crafted in the winter of 1982/3. Apart from its highly figured maple neck, it's a fairly traditional build, with fan braced Engelmann spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The neck carve is comfortably rounded, with a nut width of 54mm, and 660mm scale. The spacing at the bridge is 58mm. A slight radius to the fingerboard makes for a remarkably comfortable playing experience. The body is bound in ebony and features carefully mitred purflings to the back and sides. Rosewood bridge with simple tieblock, mosaic rosette, and gloss lacquer finish.

The guitar is in beautiful condition and without cracks. A few back brace ends were cleanly reglued in our shop, and the set-up is comfortable with adjustment room available at the bridge saddle. The lacquer finish has developed fine craze lines from the years, along with a lovely light amber hue.

A stunningly voiced guitar, this Laskin offers a surprisingly strong response, excellent volume, and expressive touch. It is a dynamic and complex guitar, with balanced output across the strings and into the frets above the body joint.

With hardshell case