Mark Lacey Among the Few Interpretive Guitar Builders

Nashville, TN, November 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- For serious guitar collectors and players, the opportunity to acquire a one-of-a-kind custom-built instrument is often more than just a playability decision. It can also be about unique style, extraordinary quality of materials and workmanship, and a relatively new distinction – interpretation.

Mark Lacey, one of the most highly respected and very talented, top-tier guitar builders in the United States, has become identified with this new direction of interpretive design and creativity in the building of these prized instruments that are generally commissioned in a way similar to that of a great painting, sculpture or other artwork.

Interpretive guitar building can involve the creation of one or several instruments from one builder for a single buyer. Some commissions may involve several builders offering their interpretation on a single theme. Still other collections can involve multiple builders with individual themes, or portraits that have a common thread. Mark Lacey has designed and built extraordinary instruments, mostly consisting of Archtop guitars, for discerning buyers in all of these categories.

Most recently, Lacey created and built a guitar for the Fisher Family Six Treasures collection. Six guitars were commissioned to six different builders, each to create a single portrait instrument based on the six women (wife, four daughters and one granddaughter) in the life of Portland, Oregon collector, Don Fisher.

Also recently commissioned to Lacey is a collection of six guitars for one buyer. Completed in July 2012, these guitars were built for author/musician Rich Shapero. The guitars will be used to record the sound track for Shapero’s next eBook and each instrument was designed to be used for a specific part and set-up in various tunings.

Mark Lacey was also among the few selected to build an instrument for one the most famous interpretive collections in modern time, Scott Chinery’s Blue Guitars, which were on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. According to Lacey, “I find the collaboration with clients very rewarding when it comes to interpretation of their ideas and it allows me the opportunity to build unique one of a kind pieces.”

Jeff Meyer’s passion was deep-sea fishing and that led Mark to create the Blue Marlin Guitar, which featured engraved mother of pearl seashells for the fingerboard inlays, an old sailing ship engraved into the ebony tailpiece and a Blue Marlin inlay in the pickguard.

“In the case of Don Fisher’s guitar I chose a more literal interpretation from the information he provided,” said Lacey. “His wife likes horses, sea turtles and owls, which are all incorporated in the guitar. Her color choice was blue and she is a redhead.”

About Mark Lacey

Building and repairing guitars for nearly four decades, Mark Lacey has earned a reputation as a designer and builder of extraordinary instruments who is often sought out as a knowledgeable consultant to manufacturers as well as collectors and vintage guitar dealers. He has been featured in many magazine articles including Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Just Jazz Guitar and foreign publications as well. He can also be found in many guitar-related books and websites.

Lacey has built or repaired instruments for many well-known musicians including: Aerosmith, America, Howard Alden, Jackson Browne, Credence Clearwater Revival, Duran Duran, Herb Ellis, Pink Floyd, John Fogerty, Bruce Forman, Peter Frampton, Frank Gambale, David Alan Grier, Jacksons, Bon Jovi, Leo Kottke, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul McCartney, Jeff Meyer, Hall and Oates, John Porter, Terje Rypdahl, Louie Shelton, Rod Stewart, U2 and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

More information is available at www.LaceyGuitars.com.