Official Luthiers Forum!

Here is a short report, which I realize sounds a bit like a bad article in a small town newspaper. So be it!

You all may be aware that Frankie Montuoro recently joined the OLF, and has already made contributions to the forum. Tonight I visited Frankie Montuoro at his shop to get a peek at his work and hear the thoughts of a truly fine luthier and craftsperson. What I found was a thoughtful and warm person, with a deep love for the instruments which have contributed to make the acoustic guitar one of the most beloved and versatile musical instruments ever conceived. Frankie was happy to share his knowledge and offer support for my first build. Frankie works in a nondescript building in one of Chicago's many old neighborhoods and while he specializes in restoring the famous Larson Bros. instruments, I saw other instruments as well as talked about the custom, one-at-a-time gems he builds. Thank you Frankie for your generosity! Can't wait to see more of your work and hear your guitars!

See here for Frankie's bio: http://www.montuoroguitars.com/









SteveCourtright39016.9521180556

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Cool report, Steve! Looks like you've gotten yourself a great teacher and mentor for your 1st build. Keep us posted on your progress.

Frankie...Tell us more about those guitars you're working on. They look fantastic...how old are they and what do they sound like.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Thirded, i love this shop and the guitars i saw!

Thanks for the report Steve!

Steve very nice report. I'd like to know more about those guitars too. Nice work Frankie.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Very cool Steve! That is a very fine looking vintage instrument indeed!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Looks like a southpaw you're working on there, Frankie.

That is an awesome report Steve! Thanks for documenting this. I've been corresponding with Frankie for some time, and spent hours on the phone with him. It's nice to put a face and place with a name. I think he has to be one of the few who spend most of his time repairing old Larson Bros instruments. I'm glad to know him too. I don't think you can find a nicer guy than Frankie!

Frankie, I'd love to hear more about that guitar you showed. Like the year, model, and about the radius of the top and back, and if the braces were one of the laminated kind. Inquiring minds want to know!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Well guys, thanks so very much for the kind words. It was real nice to
meet Steve. I spend entirely too much time alone in the shop. So the visit
was a welcome distraction. And yes I love that Fan as well!!!! It sure can
kick up a storm.

The guitar that is on the bench is a 1931 Larson Bros. Prairie State. The
Prairie State line of guitars are known for the Steel Rods that run the full
length of the body. You can see one of them through the soundhole. The
other was removed for the neck reset. But will be re-attached. As well as
the ( most often ) very shallow bodies. They used these rods in an effort
to build guitars with very thin materials. These guitars tend too have a
very, very punchy and treble heavy tone. And it sounds like the guitar is
amplified. It actually does. But it sure makes it hard to fix a loose brace
with the rods in place. I have never come across one that actually had a
loose brace. Thank God!!

The Top Raidus is 10' and the back Radius is 12'. These are pretty
common for the Bros. As well as being Built Under Tension. And from end
to end its depth is 2.5" to 3.25". Pretty shallow. But not for the Bros.

I was thinking about putting together a class to teach the building
principles and practices of the Larson's. I have never loved two dead guys
so much. And they were true explorers. The study is vast and involves
concepts you wont see in Martins or anything else. If you are thinking
about thinking outside the box the Larson's are a fine place to start.

Thanks very much again everyone for being so nice. Anyone is welcome
by. Just drop me a line.

Hey Frankie....

Nice to see your new digs...!

My guess is that you don't listen to too much live Wilco tapes these days, no?


Luck with your new venture.....

Bruce on Orcas...

I for one would LOVE to learn more about the Larson Bro's methods and designs - their guitars truly fascinate me, and I think in many ways were more 'forward-thinking' than the other guitar builders of the time.

I had the pleasure of seeing one at Elderly six or eight months ago. Facinating guitar with a really cool tone. I would also like to learn more about these!

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

Hi Frankie,
I'd also like to learn more about the Larson Bros guitars. I read a book about them a couple of years ago and have been wanting to build a Prairie State style guitar. I'm surprised that the bodies are that thin. How wide across the lower and upper bout is the guitar in this thread?
Thanks!
Bruce

Hey Bruce!!!! How's it going man? Really good to hear from ya. Lets catch up
soon.... Hoping to visit the island soon.

The Larson on the bench is basically an OM. Although many characteristics
of Larson's can make it difficult to tell really what it is.

I have seen some Prairie State copies around if you will. But just calling it a
Prairie State doesn't make it the same animal. There is a huge world of
difference between Larson made guitars and their counterparts for the time.
Where as an actual OM is much more documented and easier to replicate. To
a degree of course. And just measuring one wont ever give you a clear idea.
They were consistently inconsistent un-like Martin etc. And like many great
builders they used the materials on hand to the best of their ability.