Any New Builders with Ryan/Baranik sense of Style?

[jperryrocks]

A lot of them seem to run together if you ask me.

Ryan stands out more, as his cathedral is pretty distinctive.

But that rounded smaller body fingerstyle guitar is not anything too far out there. Lots of builders are doing it.

[Simon Fay]

As Bruce mentioned, within the sphere of guitar design -- Mike Baranik and Ryan are quite different.

Tom Doerr and Peter of Cornerstone Guitars are quite similar to Kevin Ryan in terms of aesthetic sensibilities. I personally see a fair amount of similarity with Kevin Ryan and Jim Olson in that their appointments and ornamentation follow a similar path. If you agree, then you might also look at Applegate, Hoffman, and Charis guitars as they trend in the same vein as Olson.

In my opinion, Mike Baranik falls into the more "modern" style builders. Many builders fall into this category -- Hamblin, Kraut, Ebata, Matsuda, Eichelbaum, Berkowitz, Mustapick, Maingard, Greenfield, Traugott, Somogyi, and many others.

The best thing is just to visit tons of different builder websites until you see something that catches your eye.

[Howard Klepper]

Cornerstone for a strong Ryan influence. I agree with those who would not group Ryan and Baranik together.

[Trevor M]

Bill Wise (Charis) is Olson influenced.

[jperryrocks]

I think there's a lot of these smaller body fingerstyle guitars on the market.

Seems like the boutique builders are all over that style.

I think many roads lead back to Olson in some ways. The smaller 15 inch James Talyor ~ ish fingerstyle guitar kinda set the standard and started a whole new crop of luthiers.

James may have not been the 1st to do it, but I think a lot of people are influced by it.

[cpabolting]

Originally Posted by jperryrocks

I think there's a lot of these smaller body fingerstyle guitars on the market.

Seems like the boutique builders are all over that style.

I think many roads lead back to Olson in some ways. The smaller 15 inch James Talyor ~ ish fingerstyle guitar kinda set the standard and started a whole new crop of luthiers.

James may have not been the 1st to do it, but I think a lot of people are influced by it.

No doubt about that!

[KolayaGuitars]

*cough cough* kolaya *cough*, sorry, tickle in my throat..is this not cool? I'm definitely not saying that i am to be compared to Mike or Kevin, but i do take inspiration from their work.

[gregg]

*cough cough* kolaya *cough*, sorry, tickle in my throat..is this not cool?

Oh yeah, almost slipped my mind....Kolaya Guitars

Just having a little fun.

Greg

[riorider]

I'm having a hard time correlating what elements in Kevin's and Mike's work would lead you to think they are similar - at least visually. Mike typically doesn't do much in the way of shell inlay - his "bling" is fabulous but most of it is "wood bling" - purflings, headstock designs; bindings; end wedge. Kevin uses a lot of shell in very tasteful ways to accent his guitars.

Kevin's shapes are "traditional modern" to my eye; Mike's are asymmetrical by design - subtle but made that way for playability (see Jan 2011 article in Acoustic Magazine which mentions this).

I'd have a hard time identifying the elements of similarity enough to use them to compare and contrast other builders.

We are in a very rich environment for luthiers who are pushing every envelope imaginable for "style" as well as tone, volume, playability, durability, comfort - everything. Some may like "traditional", some "new traditional", some "modern", some "eclectic modern"... I'd sure have trouble putting these "boxes" in place and then finding the luthiers that fit each one!

But the ones mentioned are great. I'd add Kwasnycia, Chasson, Mayes, and McKnight as examples of styles that I like - but the elements of style are different in each case!

What's a guitar lover to do! There's a 'candy vendor' on every street corner!

Phil

[justonwo]

To be fair, I don't think the OP said he considered the builders to have the same style - just that the OP likes the style of both.

[KolayaGuitars]

Originally Posted by gregg

Oh yeah, almost slipped my mind....Kolaya Guitars

Just having a little fun.

Greg

haha, once i can pay for my sponsorship i will start putting my work up here, but until now i just try to chime in every now and again...sorry, just being a dork.

[gregg]

haha, once i can pay for my sponsorship i will start putting my work up here, but until now i just try to chime in every now and again...sorry, just being a dork.

No worries man, you just struck my funny-bone this morning...... having some fun with ya, not at ya!! Cheers...

Hope to see some of your work soon, good luck and take care.

Greg

[KolayaGuitars]

Originally Posted by gregg

No worries man, you just struck my funny-bone this morning...... having some fun with ya, not at ya!! Cheers...

Hope to see some of your work soon, good luck and take care.

Greg

No worries my friend, no worries!!!

[riorider]

Originally Posted by justonwo

To be fair, I don't think the OP said he considered the builders to have the same style - just that the OP likes the style of both.

You're right, JW, and I hope I didn't insult the OP. Far from my intention. I was just trying to figure out what he/she was seeing. And I still have that problem - even if they aren't sharing that "sense of Style". That means there is at least one possibly two "senses of Style" that he/she is looking for other luthiers to show.

Kinda funny, though, in some other ways as well. I consider both Mike and Kevin to be "kids"... and it sounds like we're looking for the next generation already!!

There's just so much to choose from these days. Lucky us.

Best,

Phil

[Fingerstylist]

Oops forgot about this thread. Never said that I think Ryan and Baranik have similar style. What I meant was I like both styles and if there are new builders out there building stuff like that, I'd be interested in checking it out.

Some great suggestions!