Podcast 321: Steve Kalb

In the span of just three years (1970-1973), Steve Kalb took up
guitarmaking and ended up selling his creations to Leo Kottke,
David Crosby, Jerry Garcia, Robbie Robertson and Paul Simon. And
then, with fewer than 30 guitars under his belt, he threw in the
towel, sold off his tools, and enrolled in law school.

On this very special Fretboard Journal Podcast, we re-connect
with this lost guitarmaking legend, now based in Southern
California. We hear about how he took up instrument making upon
reading Irving Sloane's influential 'Classic Guitar Construction'
book, how he almost made a guitar for Bob Dylan, the financial
(and personal) struggles that convinced him to give up lutherie
to become a lawyer, and a lot more.


This is a conversation about more than just guitars: It's about
the fragility of life, the perils of chasing perfection, and one
guy's never-ending love for woodworking. Steve has a beautiful
story that hasn't been told until today.


This episode is sponsored by Caddis, Mono Cases, Folkway
Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code
FRETBOARD15OFF to save 15 dollars off your Caddis order.


Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. Our new, 47th
issue features James Taylor, Jim Olson, Ben Harper, John
Monteleone, Bahamas, Flip Scipio, luthier David Wren and much
more. Read about it here.