Podcast 151: Luthier Mark Whitebook

These week, we talk to acclaimed guitarmaker Mark Whitebook. In
the 1970s, Whitebook had a cult following for his handmade
guitars and a client list that included James Taylor, Carly
Simon, Phil Keaggy and Clarence White. But in 1980, having
built around 70 instruments total, Whitebook left the world of
lutherie and pursued a career outside of the music industry.


Thirty five years later, Whitebook has returned to building
instruments (he kept all of his original tools and equipment all
of these years). During this two-hour long talk, we chat about
his background, how he taught himself to build his first guitar
(with help from Irving Sloane’s now legendary book on guitar
construction), the Southern California guitar scene of the 1970s
(including his time spent with David Russell Young and Chuck “The
Duke of Pearl” Erikson) and how his dreadnought instruments stray
from traditional Martin construction. We also learn just how hard
it is to make a living building guitars. Whitebook is a
near-mythical figure in the world of guitars; we hope you enjoy
this exclusive chat.


This week’s sponsors are Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying
Breed Music. Check them out and tell them the Fretboard Journal
sent you.


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