A gathering of old instruments and the players they collected
Thurman Guitar & Violin Repair,
Inc. 900 Franklin Av. Kent OH 44240 Toll Free:
888-803-8693 330-673-4054 (Find directions and hours at bottom
of this page.)
My activities
also support full warranty service for the Martin Guitar Company. Registered
original owners of Martin guitars can have warranty work done here. I also
specialize in repair and restoration of electric, acoustic and classical
guitars as well as banjos, mandolins and the violin family. If you want to
maximize the look and playing action of your new, used or vintage guitar
bring it to me. I have been in business fulltime at the same storefront
location since 1974. Whew!
Click the image below and watch a video of the Thurman Soundport guitar in action!
Click the above Photo to see an mpeg video of Blues and Ragtime
expert Andy Cohen playing a Thurman Soundport guitar (29 mb download).
This is the sample instrument from China. The first models are here in a natural finish and
now red sunburst, including a nice case. My name
is inlaid on the
head and there is an internal label with the patent number. This is
the greatest sounding guitar you can imagine. Call for pricing and deals.
Contact
Roger Thurman if you would like to
order a Thurman Soundport Guitar
...and here is David (Bassboy) Mayfield playing his guitar with
"Thurman Multi-dimensional Soundports"
Check This! Here is cellist Miles
Richardson of the Akron Symphony Orchestra performing the first movement of Cassado's Suite for Solo Cello!
He is playing his new cello, the first Thurman Soundport Cello with Thurman
Multi-dimensional Soundports for enchanced projection and tone.
...and click on this image to view an old Mechanix Illustrated
article about guitar making (and Me!)
I can't say how long this link will work, but here is an interesting
theory about wood growth and the sound of Stadivari violins:
Click
Here
Very Cool link to young Chinese guitar phenom
Li Jie playing Pagannini's 24th Caprice (originally for violin).
You've never played
anything like the New Clearport steel string guitars with the "Thurman
Multi-dimensional Sound Port"
(Click on Image to go to Clearport Web Page)
Milo Kosich enjoys the Clearport "Hudson" model's sustain and tonal
projection. "The Multi-dimensional Sound Ports provide the same reach as
a cut-away."
of a Performance by Esteban at the Crooked
River Festival in Cuyahoga Falls
Take a look at this vintage Yamaha Classic Guitar brochure
from the mid-1960s. It describes guitar models and prices
along with shots of the Yamaha factory in Japan. Click on the cover
image to go to the Yamaha Brochure Web Page.
An update just posted for Classical
Guitarists: Five additional variations for right hand picking when
playing the Villa-Lobos Étude
no.1:Variations
Halelujah! As if we didn't already know what
science has now confirmed: Musicians have more
GRAY
MATTER in key areas of the brain!
Thurman Guitar & Violin Repair,
Inc. 900 Franklin Av. Kent OH 44240 Toll Free:
888-803-8693 330-673-4054 (Find directions and hours at bottom
of this page.)
Sales of New and Used
Instruments Cash Paid for Used Musical Instruments and
Merchandise
Along with my constant repair and sales work I occasionally
build a guitar. Over the years I have developed a design principle which
improves the tone and projection of the instrument. The generic name is the
"Three Dimensional (3-D) Sound Hole." I also call it the "Thurman
Multi-Dimensional Sound Port."
Actually, they come in pairs and are located on either side
of the neck and extend out to the curve of the upper bout. They are
"multi-dimensional" because each continuous port simultaneously exists in
both the front and side panels of the guitar. These new symmetrical, bilateral
sound ports allow the acoustical energy trapped in the upper bout to flow
efficiently out and forward. The player's hand, reaching up the fingerboard
for notes over the body, doesn't touch the edge of the instrument because
that area is now open!
This design principle is protected by a patent (U.S. and Canada)
and is reserved only for authorized manufacturers. I believe it is a major
enhancement to the sound and playability of the purely acoustical instrument:
be it steel string or classical, guitar or violin.
Click
Here to learn how to inspect your guitar neck for warpage. Also,
a list of general low playing action settings for different types of guitars.
(Translated into French on Jean-Phillipe Bourgeois'
excellent jazz page:Manche de la
Guitare)
Click on the image see pictures and read articles about the
late Cleveland guitar maker, Bela Gemza (1908 - 1987)
Intonation Problems?
Click Here
for Information and an Intonation Check
Procedure
Ever wonder about humidity and
its effect on your instrument? Read this brilliant and important article
explaining humidity by William C. Schreiner, mechanical
engineer.
Roger Thurman has been in the luthier
business at this location since 1974 buying, selling and repairing string
instruments, mostly guitars and violins. Don't hesitate to call if you have
an instrument for sale.
Click here
to see a picture of me, practicing for my weekend coffee house
gig.
Hey Kenny G Fans!
Click here to read
what Pat Matheny says.
The Kent, Ohio that developed Joe Walsh
and Devo has so many guitar players they grow on trees!
FLASH! Here is a very interesting survey article by Colin Gough
about the acoustics of string instruments from an historical perspective:
Science
and the Stradivarius...
...and here is an equally fascinating
web page about violin and
GUITAR ACOUSTICS
brought to you by the University of New South Wales in Australia. The
co-authors are Joe Wolf, John Smith, JohnTann and Thomas Erndl.
My activities also support full warranty
service for the Martin Guitar Company. Registered original owners of Martin
guitars can have warranty work done here.
Check out a 1960 Gibson Hummingbird
acoustic guitar,
Click
Here.
Have a look at this:
Harmony combo amp/guitar/microphone and stand.
This outfit would put you into the music business in the late 1930's or just
after World War II. The items match in design, especially the color
scheme of the guitar case and amp cabinet covering. The microphone
is a dark red bakelite with an early form of the piezo diaphragm system called
"Rochelle Salts." This outfit is not for sale (in for repair) but is shown
for your interest and ooohs and aaahs. Photo:
Harmony
Outfit
Thurman Guitar Hours and
Directions
Tues. - Fri. 12 to 6 p.m. (lunch from
2 - 3 p.m. Sat. 11 to 4 p.m. Closed Sun. and
Mon. Since I am the sole proprietor, it
is best to call my answering machine for time changes.
Thurman Guitar & Violin Repair, Inc.
900 Franklin Av.
Kent OH 44240
Toll Free: 888-803-8693
330-673-4054
Directions:
From Cleveland: Take I-480 and 271
south. Continue on 480 (exit 21) and follow signs for Youngstown/Ravenna.
Continue to Streetsboro (or Ohio Tpk I-80 Exit 42). At intersect. of 14 and
43 in Streetsboro, take 43 south four mi. into Kent. When 43 becomes one-way
in Kent go three lights and turn left. Cross bridge over Cuyahoga River and
make first right turn. (Kent Police Dept. - S. Water St.) After first light
(Summit and South Water) go three more streets and turn right on West Oak
St. Thurman Guitar located one block west at intersect of Oak and Franklin
(brick building on south-west corner).
From Akron: Take I-76 east until the
Kent/Hartville exit (rt. 43). Turn left and follow 43 north two miles into
Kent. After Kent limits (43 becomes S. Water St.) watch for McDonald's restaurant
on left. After McD's go three more streets and turn left on West Oak St.
Thurman Guitar is one block to the west on the south-west corner of Oak and
Franklin (red brick building, next intersection).
All material on this this website is protected under
international copyright law and as such is prevented from being used for
any other purpose without express written approval
Thurman Guitar & Violin Repair, Inc.
900 Franklin Av.
Kent OH 44240
330-673-4054
