INSTRUMENT MAKERS
Port Fairy Folk Festival is proud to host one of the largest interactive hand-made instrument exhibitions in Australia. Marvel at the beauty and craftsmanship that goes into creating your favourite instrument. This is no static exhibition; rather a vibrant and bustling hub of knowledge, information and the joy of playing.
AVOCET CIGAR BOX GUITARS
Avocet Cigar Box Guitars began in 2015 when founder Milan Paskas, retired from secondary school art teaching and saw the design and construction of cigar box guitars as a perfect means of combining long held interests in art and music.
Avocet CBGs are made for playing, not for just hanging on a wall. A range of specific CBG types have evolved over time. Each model is made with functionality in mind. Unique compensated bridge designs have been developed to ensure correct intonation and careful attention to neck design delivers comfortable playing action.
The strength and character of salvaged Australian hardwoods are integral to the character of all Avocet guitars.
BROOKWOOD GUITARS
There is one rule for cigar box guitars and that is “there ain’t no rules” so you build ’em how you like string ’em how you like and play ’em how you like. I try and use reclaimed timbers whenever possible and Australian hardwoods are my speciality. My guitars are 3 string open G tuned.
DONMO RESONATOR GUITARS
Don Morrison is a songwriter, singer, guitarist, storyteller and guitar maker.
He is also a luthier who makes the world-renowned Donmo Resonator Guitars. More than 500 of these handmade, metal bodied instruments are being played around the world and the two guitars that Don uses on stage are constructed from remnants of his family history. One guitar is made from material found in a pile of rubble that is all that is left of his father’s childhood home in the now abandoned semi-desert town of Perponda in the Murray Mallee. The other guitar is from the dusty remnants of his mother’s now-derelict tin and timber miners cottage in outback Broken Hill.
Don has written all about his guitars in a rollicking autobiography “This Could Be Big”.
Hyde and Clay
Tarek Sawires, Egyptian born percussionist, migrated to Australia in 1983. He pursued his musical career while majoring in ceramics and sculpture at Sydney College of the Arts. During this time, hexplored the idea of drums and sound, combining the art of playing music with hyde and clay to create unique instruments and sounds. With beautifully crafted, earthy and raw pottery, each drum is individually made, each having its own tone achieved simply by changing the shape and by using different types of skin.
Jack Spira Guitar Maker
Jack Spira is a Gippsland based instrument maker of over 35 years experience. He specializes in steel string guitar and Irish bouzouki. Featuring original designs and vintage reproductions, the instrument makers exhibition is a rare opportunity to see and play hand made instruments. Jack always has something interesting ready for the Port Fairy Folk Festival audiences!
Lyons Sculpture Park Gongs
I am a professional Artist/Sound Sculptor and have been working with steel, stone and and wood for over 30 years. I have many works in private collections and have completed many public commissions. I have a 15 Acre sculpture park in Western Victoria where I have been running workshop and hosting guest. During covid 19 the park was forced to close. During this time, I turned my focus to sound and vibration beginning with a singing whale, which in turn lead me to making gongs. These intriguing instruments have a diverse range of sound qualities, and each is an individual work of art.
Octigan Guitars
Roderick is a boutique builder based in the East of Melbourne. A woodworker for over 45 years, each instrument he creates is crafted by hand with absolute attention to detail. Using both Australian and imported tone woods, he specialises in acoustic arch tops and caters for the discerning musician who is very particular in regards to the tone, responsiveness, feel and playability of the instrument. His commitment to both the aesthetic and sonic quality of each guitar, combined with his love of creating them, means hundreds of hours are spent on each instrument and only two or three are completed each year.
Pianos Recycled
Pianos Recycled is a 7-year-old, circular economy social enterprise with a mission to find and develop value-creating alternatives to landfill for unwanted pianos. Where it is feasible, Pianos Recycled will restore an old piano to playing condition. Many piano owners opt to have their coveted possession transformed into new objects by one of the 30-or-so local craftspeople – including instrument makers – who collaborate with us to create something new, unique and respectful to piano heritage. If we can divert all Victoria’s unwanted pianos, we will have stopped 80 tonnes CO2 entering the atmosphere. The reusable and/or recyclable materials reclaimed from a piano can be used to deliver future value and benefits to society and the environment. Imagine. Design. Create.
Peter Coombe
Based in Bega in NSW, Peter Coombe has been making instruments of the mandolin family since 1994 and making beautiful guitars since 2010.
More recent developments include a classical guitar, tenor guitar, octave mandolin, and a vastly improved second generation of flat top mandolin of his own design.
Many of Peter’s mandolins and mandolas have been exported to the USA and Europe. He uses Australian native timbers, as well as the traditional imported timbers, and has written articles about the use of Australian native timbers in mandolins.
Rocky Creek Strings
Rocky Creek Strings are family business located in Northern NSW, who have been crafting high-quality instruments for over a decade, mostly Ukuleles. Their ukuleles come in a range of shapes and designs, that produce a rich, mellow sound, made mostly from Australian timbers from sustainable sources. There is a size and sound to suit all players and beginners alike!
Rodrigo Martin Percussion
Originally from Chile, Rodrigo was drawn to percussion at an early age and has become a master of his craft both in playing and making percussion instruments. After 16 years as an instrument maker, his innovations in Cajon design have cemented his brand RP (Rodrigo Percussion) as the most recognisable Australian Made Cajons in the country. His unique Cajons offer both the beginner and professional percussionist effortlessness and versatility when playing, with thousands of them finding their way into music studios, rehearsals rooms, schools and lounge rooms all around the country.
Shoma Acoustic
Shoma Subotic is a Melbourne based luthier that produces acoustic guitars under the name of Shoma Acoustics. His mechanical background and passion for woodwork and music fused together and led him to a career in guitar making. Every Shoma Acoustics guitar is produced with finesse and immense attention to detail, creating unique sounding fine instruments.
His guitars are produced to order, allowing every unit to be customised to meet the client’s specific requirements. With orders completed for international customers he is becoming internationally recognised guitar maker. Among other artists, Eric Bibb (USA) and Blair Dunlop (UK) are just a couple of performers who own one of Shoma Acoustics’ guitars.
Syn Whistles
Erle enjoys making and playing whistles and has been making instruments for over 20 years. Come and try the whistles and bodhrans on display this year!
Violin World
Violin World is the home of Violin Maker John Ferwerda. John has been servicing the Melbourne music community for nearly forty years. As a graduate of Mittenwald Violin Making School, Germany, John can assist you in all your stringed instrument needs from sales, repairs, restorations, valuations, new making and give guidance.
WoodSkin
Mark Aspland, inventor of the WoodskinTM KiKBox® Cajon has significantly advanced the traditional cajon, extending its use into a wide variety of musical genres. With a globally patented built-in pedal driven kick drum, switchable snare, plus tone and depth controls it offers unparalleled versatility coupled with a uniquely crisp and powerful sound. Additional to traditional cajon hand playing the KiKBox® employs foot pedals to generate the rich bass, snare and tom sounds it is renowned for.
The patented KiKBox® has two internal beaters, one striking the bass region and
the other striking the snare region. It is currently in use around the world by drummers, percussionists, guitarists, multi- instrumentalists and musicians of all types and genres. It is incredibly easy to play, if you can tap your feet, you can play it.
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