Luthier Stories - Catching up with Leo Buendia

[Michael Watts]

Hello everyone!

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday so far, spent with family and loved ones. I'd also like to wish you all the very best for the year to come. 2018 has been a wonderful year and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of my YouTube channel and in particular the Luthier Stories series.

With that in mind I'd like to share this interview I filmed during a recent visit to one of the epicentres of the modern age of guitar building, The Bay Area in California. I spent time with several wonderful luthiers who I've been proud to call my friends for many years and the first video from this trip features the extremely talented Leo Buendia. I hope you'll enjoy it!



and the guitar I am holding throughout the interview (a stunning MDC) is featured in this video right here.



I look forward to sharing more from my stay in California with you soon. Until then all the best to you and yours

MDW

[grosskate]

Thanks very much Michael for the very informative videos you make. It's quite the unique content there !

Who's gonna be the next Luthier ?

[Guitars44me]

The interview in Spanish should be big fun...

I Love singing in Spanish, and need more songs!

Thanks Michael and Leo

Paul (Pablo). Haha

[El Conquistador]

I very much enjoyed this interview (even with the subtitles). Rather than being all about bracing and sound hole placements, it was all about the human aspect of guitar building. I especially enjoyed the story of his relationship with Ervin Somogy.

I have always suspected that great guitars do not come from building techniques, they come from the intelligence a great builder invests in each aspect of the build. Leo is clearly an emotionally intelligent and passionate person which I am sure translates to his guitars. You cannot teach that. You cannot manufacture that.

Thanks Michael,

Steve

[steveh]

If it's an interview - as this is - then I like to listen while working on-screen with something else. Efficient.

I'd predict a whole host of us non-Spanish speakers can't find >30 min to watch this. Any chance of a translated voice-over? I know that's asking a lot of you but I'm sure you're missing a chunk of audience in this day and age when every second counts...

Cheers,
Steve

[TomB'sox]

As always Michael, I enjoyed this very much. Is there nothing you can't do? Fluent in Spanish as well as playing! This should come in handy for you in San Antonio in March lol!

It was very nice to get a very insightful look at Leo, I think he did a great job of opening up to the "where this comes from" in his native language. I don't think we would have gotten the same feel if done in English.

Thank you.

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by grosskate

Thanks very much Michael for the very informative videos you make. It's quite the unique content there !

Who's gonna be the next Luthier ?

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it. The next video will be real for your enjoyment (I hope) in the next couple of days. I don't want to ruin the surprise but I will say this. It involves a superb OM in Black Walnut.

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

The interview in Spanish should be big fun...

I Love singing in Spanish, and need more songs!

Thanks Michael and Leo

De nada! Thank you for watching Paul!

Paul (Pablo). Haha

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

I very much enjoyed this interview (even with the subtitles). Rather than being all about bracing and sound hole placements, it was all about the human aspect of guitar building. I especially enjoyed the story of his relationship with Ervin Somogy.

I have always suspected that great guitars do not come from building techniques, they come from the intelligence a great builder invests in each aspect of the build. Leo is clearly an emotionally intelligent and passionate person which I am sure translates to his guitars. You cannot teach that. You cannot manufacture that.

Thanks Michael,

Steve

You're very welcome Steve! I am as fascinated by the luthiers I have met over the years and their creative approaches as I am by the beautiful instruments they dedicate their lives to making. You're absolutely right, this sort of EQ and passion can't be taught or bought. It's an innate part of the man himself.

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

As always Michael, I enjoyed this very much. Is there nothing you can't do? Fluent in Spanish as well as playing! This should come in handy for you in San Antonio in March lol!

It was very nice to get a very insightful look at Leo, I think he did a great job of opening up to the "where this comes from" in his native language. I don't think we would have gotten the same feel if done in English.

Thank you.

Thank you Tom! And yes, I can't wait to be over there for your amazing weekend!
I think it's natural to feel on the back foot when being interviewed in a language that in which you are not a native speaker. In talking with Leo over the few years I've met I've been struck by how articulate and precise he is when speaking in Spanish. It's asking a lot of anybody to have that level of insight and expression in another language, it's rare enough in one!

All the best

MDW

[jt1]

¡Fantástico! Gracias por hablar español Cuando nos reunamos en Texas para B.I.G., debemos hablar en español.

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by jt1

¡Fantástico! Gracias por hablar español Cuando nos reunamos en Texas para B.I.G., debemos hablar en español.

Well if you do, you can talk behind my back right in front of me, as I will not know what you are saying LOL.

[justonwo]

I will have to check this out later. Leo is a great guy, and I love his work. I’m fortunate that I can have lunch with him pretty frequently. He works quite close to my office.

[naluguy]

Enjoyed this very much. Leo's work stands out, a true artisan.

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by jt1

¡Fantástico! Gracias por hablar español Cuando nos reunamos en Texas para B.I.G., debemos hablar en español.

De nada hombre! I look forward to seeing you in the lone star state!

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Well if you do, you can talk behind my back right in front of me, as I will not know what you are saying LOL.

I'll hold up subtitles Tom, don't worry!

Originally Posted by justonwo

I will have to check this out later. Leo is a great guy, and I love his work. I’m fortunate that I can have lunch with him pretty frequently. He works quite close to my office.

Very true! I hand't realised you were so close by, next time I'll in Oakland maybe we can get together over lunch?

Originally Posted by naluguy

Enjoyed this very much. Leo's work stands out, a true artisan.

Yes indeed, he's a talented guy and an amazing person. That all shows in his work!

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

Very true! I hand't realised you were so close by, next time I'll in Oakland maybe we can get together over lunch?

Yes, that would be great. I was wondering how you were able to conduct an interview in Spanish and was reminded you were born in Ecuador. I try speaking with Leo, but I can’t remember a lot.

[Diamondave]

You guys are my HEROS....!!!

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Yes, that would be great. I was wondering how you were able to conduct an interview in Spanish and was reminded you were born in Ecuador. I try speaking with Leo, but I can’t remember a lot.

Well, birthplace was no guarantee in my case sadly, I grew up in the UK from the age of 2 and my Spanish is now buried under a layer of Greek too so I'm pretty rusty. Fortunately I have friends like Leo who let me butcher their beautiful language...

Originally Posted by Diamondave

You guys are my HEROS....!!!

Ha! Thank you Dave!