John Hall - Luthier

John Hall (1935-2017)

Our friend John Hall passed in 2017.

John produced superb concert guitars after many years making lutes, viols and cellos.

John combined the traditional techniques of making these instruments with exhaustive research and experimentation on the modern guitar in the areas of tone production, construction and design. The result was an instrument of classical simplicity based on a fresh approach to the structure of the sound board.

His guitars combined the brilliance and flute-like clarity of the old Hauser and Bouchet with the response and volume of the best cedar lattice tops. They are bright, clear, balanced and responsive with ample volume. Much time was devoted to developing an overall design of violin-like seriousness, avoiding gratuitous embellishments.

John's designs were fresh and contemporary, complementing serious music and playing.

He is greatly missed by all that knew him.

- Jean-Pierre Antaki.