Looking back with G(uita)ratitude
- EGW Guitars
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
When the photographer walked over and put us in the frame, I didn’t think twice about what he was capturing. I was just standing there, talking to my friends. A day later, after the guitar expo in Aberdeen, WA for World Music Day 2025, I had a much different feeling when I received the photo in an Instagram message.
Second from the left is Jon Beason – owner and luthier at Wood Spirit Guitars. Jon was the first luthier to take me under his wing. I had no building experience, hadn’t started my repair business, and was striking out with a giant basket of ideas – first of which was a podcast. Jon agreed to be a guest on the former Endorian Guitarworks Backstage podcast and share his journey – his life as a woodworker and how he transferred his craft to guitars. He’s now one of my best friends outside of building. In terms of building, we have a trusted test/review relationship. If I have a question about wood, he’s there. If he needs wiring or playability advice, I’m there. It just works.
In 2023, I brought my first prototype RYE90NiNE to the Seattle Guitar Show. A solid padauk behemoth – he held it, popped an Advil for his back, grinned, and said, “Have you shown this to Bill yet?” He pointed to a booth where a man played a lap steel. I nervously introduced myself: “Hi! I’m a nobody… and Jon said I should meet you.” “Bill Leach… nice to meet you!” (far right.) With a big smile, he gave my guitar a spin and helped me see what worked – and what could be better. A process that never ends. Bill broke me of my fear of neck building. He cleared three days and walked me through his process. I tried to pay him for materials—he refused. “Matt, once you’ve found YOUR process, teach it.” That’s Bill.
Bill introduced me to Kevin Lerma of Rage Guitars (second from right) in May 2025 at a guitar expo in Ocean Shores, WA. I don’t know Kevin well yet – but I’m enjoying it and absolutely admiring the finish work on his guitars. He works mostly with CNC, and I’m a hand-built guy – so we’ve got much to teach each other. Kevin, like Jon, isn’t a player, so I’m honored to finesse each build’s setup with him.
At that same Ocean Shores expo, I met Rick Giannini of Sandshark Guitars (left), an accomplished luthier of over 50 years. This man is a treasure. At World Music Day, where this photo was taken, he brought a fleet of his creations and a bucket of parts so anyone passing by could ask about the process. We talked all day and even had an impromptu jam on the expo stage. I left with a new friend and an open invite. What a guy.
I’m the lucky one. In the middle.
This is my team. Small. Selfless. Driven by the craft and sound.
Ready to ditch cookie-cutter guitars and play something actually built for you? Visit egwguitars.com to explore the craft, meet your future axe, and start building the guitar your riffs deserve.