JCGS Guitar-Tasting
at
Paschal Winery

Athough guitar players and guitar builders (also known as luthiers) frequently get together to listen to and compare the variations in tonal qualities of different instruments, audiences rarely get an opportunity to share in this fascinating experience. The process is not unlike the wine aficionado savoring the taste and aroma of a particularly fine vintage of wine and talking about the experience with the vintner. Just as there are many factors which can influence the taste of various fine wines, so there are many factors which can influence the tone quality of fine musical instruments. These include the player's technique, the acoustics of the room in which the instrument is played, as well as the various woods and construction techniques used by the luthier. Other less obvious factors are the condition and length of the player's fingernails, the type and condition of the strings on the instrument, and the moisture content of the tone wood in the guitar. In their search for a common understanding of these differences, builders and players have evolved a specialized vocabulary in order to share and compare their listening experiences.

The best way to compare the tonal qualities of different classical guitars is to eliminate as many of the variables as possible. If a variety of instruments are gathered together in the same acoustical space and then played upon by one guitarist, then it becomes possible to more accurately compare and contrast the merits of the different instruments. In this manner, both players and audience members are able to refine their listening skills and further the development of their appreciation for the different qualities found in fine concert guitars. On Saturday, May 17th, the first JCGS Guitar-Tasting featured the solo guitar work of Ashland, Oregon guitarist, Joseph Thompson and the hand-crafted classical guitars of Pistol River, Oregon luthier, Les Stansell. Joining Les and Joseph on the program was Grant Ruiz who performed traditional flamenco music on one of Les' flamenco guitars. Also on the program were guitarists Steve Berman and Jaxon Williams. Fifty people joined us on May 17th for a glass of fine wine and a journey into the world of the classical guitar. See Guitar Tasting Poster.

Les Stansell's fine concert guitars are a feast for both the ear and the eye.

A master craftsman, Les builds instruments using a variety of local and regional woods, including Port Orford cedar, Sitka spruce and Myrtlewood, as well as the traditional Brazilian and Indian rosewood, mahogany and ebony. Though each wood has its own unique tonal qualities, there is frequently a great amount of variation in the tonal qualities of different pieces of the same type of wood and even in different pieces of wood from the same tree. Les discussed the varieties of woods and techniques involved in guitar construction and Joseph performed on a number of Stansell guitars, as he compared and contrasted their sound qualities.

Paschal Winery's Tasting Room was an ideal venue for this Guitar-Tasting event because of its exquisite acoustics and magnificent views of the surrounding hills and mountains of the Rogue Valley.

Be sure to read the on-line interview of Les Stansell at Famous Guitar Maker Internet World Headquarters.

There are plans afoot for future Guitar Tastings and ideas abound. One idea is to feature historical instruments, which could include a variety of lutes and arch lutes as well as Baroque guitars and vihuelas. Another idea is to feature the fine concert guitars of our membership.

For further reading, see the article on the JCGS, "Pulling Strings" by Damian Mann in the May 11th, 2003 issue (Section C) of the Medford Mail Tribune.

Return to Members' Articles Index