June 15th, 2011 - After many years of playing my trusty K. Yairi's, this week I visited Gerard Gilet's Sydney workshop to order a Gilet Concert Classical. Gestation period is about 8-12 weeks! Happy Days! I have wanted to own and play one of Gerard Gilet's Concert Classical guitars for many years. My venerable K. Yairi's have served well, but now is the time for them to enjoy their retirement, while I step up to a real thoroughbred!
One of Gerard's early valve amplifiers.
My venerable K. Yairi YC-100 has served me well since I purchased it from Mal Hadfield back in 1985. It is the guitar I used on the CD "Late Night Lovers" (available at www.thewholeguitarist.com". Gerard Gilet modified the braces to turn what was quite a staid guitar into one with quite a rich sound.
The combination of a K. Yairi YC-90 with a Fishman pickup has proved to be a remarkable workhorse, enduring many thousands of performances without a hitch. Gerard measured up my two Yairi's and found they were of standard concert classical dimensions with the exception of the neck, which is 1mm wider at both the head and the heel. My new guitar will match this specification exactly.
Gerard Gilet demonstrates his lattice bracing system for the Concert Classical guitar.
Inside Gilet Guitar's Sydney workshop. This is where fine timber is crafted into the finest of musical instruments.
The timber in this press will form the face of a Gilet Concert Classical.
Concert classical under construction by one of Gerard Gilet's students.
Gilet Guitar's own rosette design features a Waratah, the floral emblem of New South Wales, Australia.
Some of the wood stored here will end up in my new Gilet Concert Classical!
