Yamaha History Part of "Art That Sings" Exhibit During Healdsburg Guitar Festival

YAMAHA HISTORY PART OF "ART THAT SINGS" EXHIBIT DURING HEALDSBURG GUITAR FESTIVAL

—Custom L-53 Owned by John Denver Featured—

BUENA PARK, CA (September 25, 2001)—Every Summer, the Healdsburg Guitar Festival transforms the California wine country town into an acoustic guitar lovers paradise with special exhibits, performances, workshops and seminars that attract the world's top luthiers and music fans alike. Representing Yamaha Guitars at this year's festival was David Bergstrom, Combo Group marketing manager, accompanied by a group of first-time U.S. visitors from the Yamaha Custom Shop in Hammamatsu, Japan: Toshihiko Ito, Chief of the Custom Shop and Master Builder in the Spanish tradition; Michio Matsushita, master luthier and leader of the acoustic department; Eikichi Yamauchi, Master Builder and expert on shellacing; and group leader Hiroshi Sakurai

Director of Marketing David Bergstrom and an elite group of master luthiers from Yamaha’s Custom Shop in Hamamatsu, Japan with John Denver’s 1978 Yamaha L-53 acoustic. The guitar, part of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art’s "Art That Sings" exhibit, was built by several of the visiting luthiers.

A special side attraction to the festival was the concurrent "Art That Sings" exhibit at the nearby Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, which featured a display of special guitars from private collections and builders. Much to the delight of the visiting Yamaha contingency was a custom Yamaha L-53 guitar, built in 1978 by Mr. Ito for the late singer/songwriter and environmentalist John Denver.

Designed by the noted Terrumi Nakamoto (who also designed guitars for Paul Simon and John Lennon), the guitar was one of a pair ordered by Denver in 1977. It features an x-braced dreadnought design with a distinctive rounded bottom, aged Sitka Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, and intricate inlay. Denver played the instrument, according to present owner Richard Glick of Fine Guitar Consultants, both in concert and on TV specials. In addition, the instrument is featured on the cover of the popular "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together" album.

"This guitar has special significance in Yamaha's custom guitar history," noted David Bergstrom, director of marketing, Combo Group. "Since it was built by Mr. Ito, we were delighted to see it displayed in this exhibit, and especially during this festival."

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Guitar Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com.

Comments: