Those who attended the Lanier Library’s recent Brown Bag program with Jay Lichty enjoyed two hours of music and stories from the local luthier about how he transitioned from a home builder to a ukulele and guitar custom builder.
Lichty said it took him about 20 years to find this avocation, but his exposure to music and performing goes back even longer. He has been in the area for about as long, and he said, “I guess I can say I’m from Tryon now, I think.”
Lichty brought along six guitars and two ukuleles that he had built since opening his studio in 2009. Each instrument was unique not only in the exotic woods used, construction and the attention to detail, but each had a unique tonal quality when he played them. With each instrument he played, Lichty told a story of its history or its influence on him and played a song he had written.
Those who attended a recent concert at Tryon Fine Arts Center featuring Randall Bramlett and Geoff Achison, sponsored by Lichty, heard the renowned Australian guitarist Achison play a Lichty guitar. Bramlett has since ordered his own Lichty guitar. Lichty’s guitars are in hands of performers from everyday music lovers to professional musicians. As of the end of 2011, he had made more than 53 guitars and 28 ukuleles and the waiting list is approaching six months.
For more information about Lichty, visit www.lichtyguitars.com. You can also see what Lanier Library is presenting at www.lanierlib.org, and you don’t have to be a member to come.
– article submitted
by Ron Pankey