Goshawk | Jazz Guitar Today Magazine

Screen on my phone illuminated. Incoming call: Bob Bakert. Bob is editor of Jazz Guitar Today based in Atlanta, GA. The magazine features jazz scene and instruments more traditional than avant-garde, so it was a pleasant surprise when they decided to do a feature on Goshawk™ 6-string guitar. Ede Wright and Bob Bakert had connected locally, and Bob fell in love with Goshawk’s design.

Bob was calling to tell me the article had just been published.

He’s an interesting person, athletic, fit, intelligent, actively playing (and pursuing) all things guitar since the late 1960’s. Our conversation drifted — as it quickly does — into music tangents. He was still aglow from a recent compliment where a well-respected industry insider told Bob he is an excellent musician. What was especially interesting was the follow-up comment: “Musician, not guitar player. Those are two different things.”

Many of us who play tend to bring a set of patterns (musical or thought) to the guitar, then attempt to fit those into the current context, possibly contextually appropriate. Approaching guitar as a musician, instead of as a player, happens when we lead with our ear instead of our skill set.

This is something I have noticed as well, and mentioned recently in the video interview with Mike Dawes. The difference seems based on the ability to listen. Really listen.

Mind still, and present in the moment, as Buddha would say.

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IMAGE: Goshawk™ 6-string electric is featured in May 2019 issue of Jazz Guitar Today Magazine.

Goshawk | Dawes Goes Electric

Cradling a cup of coffee in my left hand, I sat at the kitchen counter as Steve Sjuggerud scrambled eggs. The lure of frying bacon would soon wake Mike Dawes — currently sleeping off a six hour time zone difference.

Steve was also simmering baked beans.

“Are beans a Southern breakfast specialty?” I asked. “I’ve had grits and gravy before…”

“Actually, they’re for Mike,” Steve replied. “I think the English like beans with breakfast.”

Photographer Adam King arrived, along with his cousin. “What’s with the beans?”

“They’re for Mike.”

Hoodie-draped Mike appeared, long pale arm extended. Grim Reaper seeks caffeine. “Why does everyone always make me beans at breakfast…?”

So, Mike’s Goshawk™ 6-string electric is nicknamed: Beanst.

Beast + Beans

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PHOTO: Mike Dawes with his Goshawk™ 6-string electric guitar. (Photo: Adam King)
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IMAGE: Mike Dawes on Instagram.
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PHOTO: Future stadium tours and Marshall stacks loom. Acoustic guitar virtuoso Mike Dawes has been corrupted by the lure of distortion and pinch harmonics… (Photo: Adam King)

Video | Goshawk | Geoff Waldron

My friend Geoff Waldron is an excellent songwriter. When I asked him to put Goshawk™ 6-string through her paces — Nashville style — Geoff composed two absolutely gorgeous pieces of music. Some people just have the ear…check out his playing.

Holy Moly!!

What an instrument! The box had no dents or damage and the guitar arrived safe and sound without a scratch. Still perfectly in tune and ready to play!

The guitar flat out feels like a beautiful woman… like touching the skin of a supermodel when I touch your guitar. The most amazing neck… I can’t even believe it.

You have a fine eye for detail… I should be so lucky to be working with such an accomplished artist such as yourself.

Truly an awe inspiring work of fine craftsmanship.

Truly makes my guitar collection seem like haphazardly constructed hunks of wood and metal. (Geoff Waldron)

VIDEO: Geoff Waldron demos Goshawk™ guitar.

Video | Goshawk | Ede Wright

VIDEO: Ede Wright gets intimate with Goshawk™ 6-string in natural finish. The guitar fits him so well…watch with the sound off and you can really appreciate how he gets lost in the music.