Master Luthier Crafts Story-Piece Guitars on Vancouver Island
About the Luthier
Reuben Forsland is a master luthier based on Vancouver Island who creates custom acoustic guitars. He is known for his exceptional craftsmanship and his ability to craft guitars that are not only beautiful but also deeply personal to their owners.
The Importance of Story
For Forsland, the story behind each guitar is just as important as its technical specifications. He consults closely with his clients to understand their vision and incorporates special items and design features that reflect their unique stories.
Traditional Methods Meet Modern Technology
Forsland combines traditional luthier techniques with modern technology to create guitars that are both structurally sound and acoustically exceptional. He has developed his own proprietary bracing system that maximizes the guitar’s potential for resonance and sustain.
Unique Woods and Materials
Forsland uses a wide variety of tonewoods in his guitars, including rare and exotic species like British bog oak, Ancient Sitka Spruce, and The Tree mahogany. He also incorporates unusual materials such as teredo wood, which is riddled with holes created by wood-boring clams.
The “Legacy” Guitar
One of Forsland’s most recent creations is the “Legacy” guitar, a tribute to the late Richard Heisey, an accomplished woodworker and amateur bluegrass player. The guitar is made entirely from mahogany from The Tree, a legendary tree known for its exceptional acoustic properties. Forsland also incorporated items from Richard’s workshop, such as his chisels and radio antenna, into the guitar’s design.
The Hendrix Connection
Forsland has also created guitars using wood from Jimi Hendrix’s childhood home. These guitars, known as the Hendrix and The Tree guitars, are a testament to Forsland’s passion for music and his ability to capture the spirit of iconic musicians in his work.
The Art of the Rosette
The rosette is the central art piece of a guitar, where the luthier can express their creativity and incorporate symbolic elements. Forsland’s rosettes are often intricate and feature inlays made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and even ashes.
Resourcefulness and Imagination
Forsland’s resourcefulness and imagination are evident in his ability to incorporate unusual items into his guitars. For example, he used a rusty alternator found on the beach as the inspiration for the rosette on Slash’s guitar.
Favorite Guitarists
Some of Forsland’s favorite guitarists include John Mayer, Slash, Keith Richards, Bon Iver, and Iron and Wine. He is inspired by their unique playing styles and their passion for the instrument.
Building vs. Playing
While Forsland enjoys playing guitar, he finds the process of building them to be more satisfying. He is constantly striving to improve his skills and create guitars that are both beautiful and functional.
Upcoming Project
Forsland’s next project is a guitar called ‘6 was 9,’ which will be crafted entirely from woods from Jimi Hendrix’s childhood family home. The guitar will be a 9-string instrument with a rosette design inspired by Hendrix’s song “If 6 Was 9.”
