Paul McGill
Encyclopedia
Paul McGill is an American luthier
, specializing in classical, steel string as well as the originator of a unique type of resonator guitar based upon the Brazilian Del Vecchio
designs of the 1930s.
In 1985, McGill moved to Nashville to work as a repairman for Gruhn Guitars
. A seminal moment in his career occurred in late 1992, when Earl Klugh
asked McGill to build a more refined version of a Del Vecchio resonator guitar that Klugh had received from Chet Atkins. Though Klugh enjoyed the Brazilian guitar's sound, he found it delicate, with poor intonation. Though McGill was apprehensive, fearing that building such an unusual instrument would ruin his reputation as a builder of classical guitars, he built the instrument as requested. Klugh loved the guitar, and immediately requested that McGill build others.
McGill guitars have been used as recording instruments by Chet Atkins, Earl Klugh, Muriel Anderson, Peter White, Marc Antoine, Jim Stafford, Wayne Wesley Johnson, Nokie Edwards, Don Potter, Steve Earl, Larry Koonse, John Standerfer, Beth Nielsen Chapman, And many more.
In 1998 McGill made his first Nylon string electric design, the "Super Ace". The guitar is the main nylon string performance instrument of both Peter White, and Marc Antoine.
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
, specializing in classical, steel string as well as the originator of a unique type of resonator guitar based upon the Brazilian Del Vecchio
Del Vecchio (guitar maker)
Casa Del Vecchio Ltda. of São Paulo, Brazil, has produced a wide range of guitars and other string instruments since its founding by Angelo Del Vecchio in 1902...
designs of the 1930s.
In 1985, McGill moved to Nashville to work as a repairman for Gruhn Guitars
Gruhn Guitars
Gruhn Guitars is a vintage instrument shop and place of interest located in Nashville, Tennessee. The business opened on January 2, 1970. It was originally called GTR, standing for George Gruhn, Tut Taylor and Randy Wood; a story has circulated that country music star Hank Williams, Jr....
. A seminal moment in his career occurred in late 1992, when Earl Klugh
Earl Klugh
Earl Klugh is an American smooth jazz/crossover jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and composer.At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins when Atkins made an appearance on the Perry Como Show. Klugh was a performing guest on several of Atkins' albums...
asked McGill to build a more refined version of a Del Vecchio resonator guitar that Klugh had received from Chet Atkins. Though Klugh enjoyed the Brazilian guitar's sound, he found it delicate, with poor intonation. Though McGill was apprehensive, fearing that building such an unusual instrument would ruin his reputation as a builder of classical guitars, he built the instrument as requested. Klugh loved the guitar, and immediately requested that McGill build others.
McGill guitars have been used as recording instruments by Chet Atkins, Earl Klugh, Muriel Anderson, Peter White, Marc Antoine, Jim Stafford, Wayne Wesley Johnson, Nokie Edwards, Don Potter, Steve Earl, Larry Koonse, John Standerfer, Beth Nielsen Chapman, And many more.
In 1998 McGill made his first Nylon string electric design, the "Super Ace". The guitar is the main nylon string performance instrument of both Peter White, and Marc Antoine.
Resources
- Adam Moore Southern Gentleman: an interview with Paul McGill Premier Guitar, Oct 2007