Willy Wailer Guitars
Dublin is a fantastic city. When many Around Dublin readers think about Dublin, they might think about our stores, restaurants, housing options, schools, incredible growth, etc. However, we may not always think about what truly makes Dublin great – our people. In an effort to provide a view to some of the residents that contribute to the character of our city, the Around Dublin Team will be showcasing various members of our community as part of our “Portraits” series.
Many Around Dublin readers may have met or followed the work of recently re-appointed Planning Commissioner Bill Schaub over the years. What you may not have known is that Bill has played guitar since he was 16 years old. What’s more intriguing is that Bill makes guitars and has a blog that follows the crafting of his latest creations.
When asked about what inspired his Luthier hobby, the publishing of his blog, what he does with all of his completed works, and many other questions, Bill noted:
I love to share my passion for guitars with my neighbors. The blog was really started for just my friends and family who wanted to stay abreast of “Archie’s” progress (Bill’s latest creation). This is a relatively new hobby for me and I started a few years back after I had learned to do a little woodworking. I had outfitted my shop and made a few pieces of furniture that my wife, family, and neighbors liked. One thing led to another and I decided to make a solid body guitar much like those made by Fender.
Aside from finding out that I was terribly allergic to the Rosewood used in this first guitar, I found that it looked great and played well – though I looked awful during those three weeks of Cortisone shots (think Poison Oak!). To date I have made 15 guitars of all types which I talk about somewhere in the middle of my blog. Most of my guitars reside with family and friends and I donated that infamous Rosewood guitar to the Valley Children’s Museum fundraiser a while back. It sold for much more than I anticipated and I expect that my future guitars will also be donated to non-profits.
It’s a good deal for me, as I get to keep making “gitters” and maybe I can help a few of the many great causes out there. I hope those visiting the blog will enjoy my journey into the previously unknown world of making carved Archtop guitars. They are quite different and not found in many music stores these days as companies find pressing plywood into an arch shape is much cheaper and quicker to make.
For more information, please check out Bill’s blog at http://billsguitars.blogspot.com.
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7:04 PM on December 22nd, 2008
Wonderful, thanks for sharing this piece of did you know about one of our representatives. We only knew Bill as the Commissioner, for better or for worst. It is nice to know the human side of these people.