Lester DeVoe Interview

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TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

Lester DeVoe Interview

In the upcoming months, I will be doing an interview with Lester DeVoe. He did one some time back for a luthier puplication so the Q & A's were more luthier oriented.

I will probably go into some luthiery topics since I am an amateur builder, this would benefit me and others who build. However, I want to ask questions from a guitarist point of view. The kind of things a player would like to know. So, I thought it would be cool to ask some of you guys if you have any questions for Lester that you'd like me to ask, post them and I'll ask them if I don't already know the answer.

Nothing cheesy like "What's Paco or Vincente like?" Keep them geared towards his work.

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2008 11:33:05

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

Why the neck profile?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2008 12:57:18

eccullen

Posts: 97
Joined: Aug. 14 2007

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

hmmm, fun

maybe:

-what is his opinion regarding the 'how guitars change or improve with age' question?
-does he pursue a "devoe" sound, for his blancas and negras- how does he describe it? Especially in relation, or comparison to other guitars, conde, the granadas, like in the recent plazuelo thread,... Reyes!
And how has this evolved- a gradual refinement and approach to a goal or a changing evolving goal?
-can he talk about how his tastes have come to be, the influences, external, and maybe internal?
-I guess these are questions about his vision and motivation
-I think I read here, that he has changed form a santos hernandez style bracing to a torres style: if so why?
-are there structural elements that he thinks are more crucial than others for his goals?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2008 16:31:16

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

i'm sure i'll think of some good questions soon but for now i'll write some good questions that you might ask just about anyone you meet

- what is his shoe size?
- does he like cheese? if so which kinds?
- what does he listen to while building guitars?
- does he have any specific pieces he plays to test out a guitars sound?
- what are his thoughts on sustainable rainforest resources?
- what is his opinion on the thickness of a golpeador? does a wooden one effect the sound substantially?
- what are his feeligns about pegheads/machines
- hide glue or titebond?
- does he like bananas?
- what';s his favorite restaurant?
- what is his favorite thing to eat while building guitars?
- what time does he usually start/finish building/work hours?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2008 16:39:58

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to HemeolaMan)

quote:

- does he like cheese? if so which kinds?

HemeolaMan has found a loophole. I asked for no cheesy questions and what does he do? he asks a question about cheese! Good one HemeolaMan.

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2008 17:07:19

wiglebot

Posts: 39
Joined: Nov. 15 2007

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

DeVoe has a reputation of being a keen business man and I would like to know if that motivated or changed his "artistic visions." An Artist that is a good salesman can be influenced deeply by what they sell.

Or was it the opposite; did he dedicate himself to the art, then learn after years of building that aggressive marketing works great for great artist. Sometime talent is clueless to selling, then a light just turns on one day and they start treating their talent like a business -- why not.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2008 17:53:57

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to TANúñez)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2008 19:41:13

guitardode

Posts: 114
Joined: Jun. 29 2007

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

HI
Was lucky enough to play a friends manuel reyes blanca and was dumbstruck at the sound it seemed to require no words just your best imput into it and it helped you along responding when needed whether it be with strong or gentle playing ----could you ask him what gives him the biggest kick ?the ultimate sound or the physical element of building and creating?
thank you

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GUITARDODE

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2008 4:08:48

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

Hi Tom

Just 3 from me:

If he thinks there are some kind of evolucion with respect of flamenco guitar sounds. Do we, the players, look for the same as 20 or 30 years ago or do we look for something else. And has he changed his sound during this period of time.

Pulsation. Does he change the pulsation of his guitar according to a clients wishes or does he always built his pulsation and sound.

What does he think about CDN Cypres for back and sides

enjoy

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2008 4:56:34

a_arnold

Posts: 558
Joined: Jul. 30 2006

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

It must be difficult for a non-spaniard to break into a market composed of people like Sabicas and PDL. It clearly takes a superlative instrument to overcome the natural bias toward Spain. I'd love to know if the "greats" that bought from him commented on what it was/is about his instruments that caught their attention.

And I'd like to hear if any of their opinions surprised Lester Devoe, or if he sees the same things in his guitars when he compares them to others of similar calibre.

And what other established luthiers he he would put in his class -- which is clearly at the top.

And I'd like to know what other young/new makers today he thinks are fully developed but unrecognized.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 1 2008 9:58:36

prd1

Posts: 206
Joined: Jul. 11 2007

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to TANúñez)

Hi Tom,

One quickie - where are we going to get our wood from in 50 years time?

Cheers

peter

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 1 2008 10:33:23

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Lester DeVoe Interview (in reply to prd1)

Good questons guys.

prd1. That's an interesting question. In 50 years, I'd be curious to see what the supply of Cypress and Indian Rosewood will be like. Some years back, Lester planted some cypress trees on his property. They are still very young and I doubt he'll ever be able to use them. I guess it is his way of giving back what he has taken.

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 2 2008 6:37:50

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 2 2008 8:12:58