William Laskin
Encyclopedia
William "Grit" Laskin is a Canadian luthier
, musician and guitar maker, particularly notable for his high-quality instruments, acoustic guitar innovations (such as the "Laskin Armrest" and "Ribrest") and for his skill in the art of inlay
. Larry Robinson, author of The Art Of Inlay, describes Laskin as "one of the most astonishing inlay artists in North America." His guitars have been exhibited as works of art by several museums.
As a musician, he has several solo CDs, and is known as a member of Friends of Fiddler's Green
. He accompanied Stan Rogers
, both on recordings and on tour.
Laskin learned the trade though an apprenticeship with Jean Larrivée
, beginning in 1971.
novel 'Moonheart
' owns a Grit Laskin guitar.
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...
, musician and guitar maker, particularly notable for his high-quality instruments, acoustic guitar innovations (such as the "Laskin Armrest" and "Ribrest") and for his skill in the art of inlay
Inlay
Inlay is a decorative technique of inserting pieces of contrasting, often coloured materials into depressions in a base object to form patterns or pictures that normally are flush with the matrix. In a wood matrix, inlays commonly use wood veneers, but other materials like shells, mother-of-pearl,...
. Larry Robinson, author of The Art Of Inlay, describes Laskin as "one of the most astonishing inlay artists in North America." His guitars have been exhibited as works of art by several museums.
As a musician, he has several solo CDs, and is known as a member of Friends of Fiddler's Green
Friends of Fiddler's Green
Friends of Fiddler's Green is a Canadian folk music group based in Toronto. The original members of the group for its first recording, The Road to Mandalay, were Grit Laskin, Tam Kearney, Ian Robb, Laurence Stevenson, David Parry, and Jeff McClintock on keyboards...
. He accompanied Stan Rogers
Stan Rogers
Stanley Allison "Stan" Rogers was a Canadian folk musician and songwriter.Rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his finely crafted, traditional-sounding songs which were frequently inspired by Canadian history and the daily lives of working people, especially those from the fishing...
, both on recordings and on tour.
Laskin learned the trade though an apprenticeship with Jean Larrivée
Jean Larrivée
Jean Larivée is a Canadian luthier specializing in guitars.He was originally trained as an auto mechanic, but began making guitars in 1967.-Early career:...
, beginning in 1971.
Other CDs
- Between the Breaks...Live! 1979 Stan RogersStan RogersStanley Allison "Stan" Rogers was a Canadian folk musician and songwriter.Rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his finely crafted, traditional-sounding songs which were frequently inspired by Canadian history and the daily lives of working people, especially those from the fishing...
- The Barley Grain for Me Margaret Christll and Ian RobbIan RobbIan Robb is a well-known English-born folk singer, currently based in Ottawa, Ontario. He was a founding member of Friends of Fiddler's Green, and a columnist for Sing Out!. He is also a member of the Canadian folk trio Finest Kind....
with Grit Laskin 1998
Literary Reference
A character in the Charles de LintCharles de Lint
Charles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and folk musician. He is also the chief book critic for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction....
novel 'Moonheart
Moonheart
Moonheart is an urban fantasy novel by Charles de Lint. It takes place in 1980s Ottawa, where Sara Kendell and Jamie Tamson, owners of an antique store, come into possession of a peculiar ring. At the same time Kieran Foy, a wizard of sorts, is searching for his missing mentor, Thomas Hengwr, while...
' owns a Grit Laskin guitar.