Builder Profile TogaMan Guitars WARD MEEKER n the early 1980s, Jonathan Wilson was a guitarist who became enthralled Iby neo-classical rock and the music of former Scorpions guitarist Uli Roth and his Sky Guitar, with its 36-plus frets that allowed him to add violin-range notes to his repertoire. “The idea of creating an instrument one’s art requires, rather than limiting it to what exists, inspired me,” he said. “Roth’s references to Viv- aldi and Paganini led me to listen to a lot of violin and cello music. I spent hours doing volume swells to emulate those sounds, then began to view the guitar as incomplete without the facility to bow. Jonathan Wilson Of course, most luthiers and musicians viewed me as crazy, so I had to fulfill my own vision.” And fulfill it, he did. By the It is inspired by the toga/tunic attention of top film compos- you offered a second gui- early ’90s, Wilson had been figure in “Noces de Cana” a ers who asked me build one tar? experimenting heavily, and de- painting by Paolo Veronese that for them. Before long, I was After the first Cana models, veloped a prototype instrument depicts the water-to-wine wed- nine to 12 months backlogged! which had alder bodies finished he called an “electric ding scene in the Then I exhibited at NAMM in with custom factory finishes by arpeggione,” inspired Bible. In it, a man ’05. After that, I realized that Pat Wilkins, I added a simple TOGAMAN by a bowed guitar GUITARS is playing a gui- I prefer a direct relationships hand-rubbed finish and dubbed built by Johan Staufer Jonathan Wilson tar-sized viol in a with artists rather than going it the Naked Spartan. Then I in the early 1800s. 13755 Polk St. guitar-like playing through dealers. offered an upgrade called the In the years that fol- Sylmar, Ca. 91342 stance. It provides Did anything in particu- Cana Deluxe, with an alder or Phone: (818) 268-5602 lowed, he designed togamanguitars.com a quick history lar create interest in the mahogany body with figured- and built a progres- lesson. Besides, instrument? maple top, Wilkins finish, and sion of mockups, and “Wilson” sounds Composer Tyler Bates used flame-maple neck. by late ’02 the arpeggione had too much like sports equipment his GuitarViol while recording In mid ’08, I built one evolved into a prototype of his or the next-door neighbor on a the score for the movie 300, for Steve Oimette called the GuitarViol. TV sitcom... Plus, there are a few which got a lot of attention. Canavarious, which had a “Within a month, I was con- namesakes out there that would In mid January ’08, I worked carved violin-style maple top tacted by a math professor who cause some confusion. up the nerve to jump out on and a distressed faux-violin expressed interest,” he recalled. Did you initially build my own, then exhibited at the finish. The vintage vibe went “And with virtually no market- part-time? Newport-Miami Guitar Festi- over huge, so I began to offer ing intention, TogaMan Guitars Yes. For eight or nine years, val that April. By the grace of genuine shellac French-polish was born.” I worked at Cassells Music, in God, I’ve been backlogged up finishes on the maple-capped San Fernando, while moon- to a year. Deluxes. I call those Cana Where did the TogaMan lighting at this. Soon after that How long was it before Customs, and no two are the name come from? first order, I was getting the 90 VINTAGE GUITAR | M a y 2 0 1 0 VintageGuitar.com Builder Profile same. I even did one in side of the box. It does not ity – which has all but and making them available to spalted maple. exist to make converts out killed our country and kids or college students who In ’06 I began to de- of traditionalists. cheapened our craft to can’t afford hand-built velop an acoustic model, Do you work alone price-point commod- instruments, I would be and it has been very in the shop? ities – be replaced by willing to talk. I plan on well-received. All of my Yes. I have a key af- the village business hand-building acous- acoustics are built like filiate, Bruce Johnson, who model on a global level. tics for a long time, but am violin-family instruments, machines bridges and tail I’d like to see us bring back not personally interested in with bass bar and sound- blocks unique to the instru- imagination, passion, and running a factory. I’m at my post configurations. ment. Recently, I’ve been craftsmanship for our kids best carving away, not being What is your typical training an apprentice or to appreciate. distracted by the banal left- customer like? two. One is a college student What are your goals brain aspects of running a My market is not the interested in french polish for TogaMan, specifi- business with employees guy who plays in a top 40 and the other is a semi-re- cally? punching a clock. band, bluegrass, country, tired guy who’s having way I hope to refine my in- In personal terms, I see classical quartet, or too much fun with his CNC strument to it’s best myself recording more of jazz combo. My machines! Other than that, possible form. I’m my music for film projects. clients are sonic Mrs. Wilson helps with building a steel- The funny thing about artists who write books and keeps the place stringed/x-braced this is that I created an for sound, drama, presentable. acoustic f lat-top instrument to satisfy and emotion – not What are your modeled after the my own musical pop hooks. They’re hopes for the acoustic GuitarViol ventures and it took film composers or future of the in aesthetics. off! That said, I love art-rockers. The industry? Also, if a mid-size what I do and am GuitarViol is un- I hope to see manufacturer is deeply grateful derstood only the mass-mar- interested in to be doing by those who ket mental- licensing the it. think out- GuitarViol The TogaMan electric and acoustic GuitarViol. 92 VINTAGE GUITAR | M a y 2 0 1 0 VintageGuitar.com.