By Doron Markowitz

Blueberry Guitars

Hello again, and welcome to the eighth installment of Luthier’s Corner. Until now, I have focused on the various different aspects of the craft of lutherie. I decided to take a somewhat different approach for the next several installments by interviewing various luthiers, and guitar players that have built their own guitars, from around the world so that you, my readers, could get to know them better, and gain deeper insight into the company, maker, or player that you either regard highly, or not know much about. For this first interview, I was honored with the opportunity to speak with Wayan Tuges, of Blueberry Guitars, in Bali. For those that don’t know, Blueberry Guitars creates instruments that are equal parts music and artwork. I have included some pictures of his work so you can see what I mean. His work is extraordinary and I learned so much about him and his craft through the course of this discussion.

I am speaking today with Wayan Tuges, of Blueberry Guitars.

Hello Wayan, and thank you very much for taking the time to sit with me to talk about the art of lutherie. I appreciate your time. Tell me a little bit about how you got started crafting guitars.

Wayan: I am a woodcarver. Growing up in Guwang, a community known for the skill and deep spirituality of its woodcarvers, I began carving at the age of five, learning from my father, one of the great Balinese woodcarvers. By the time I was in second grade, I had mastered the complex, traditional Garuda figure ridden by the Hindu god Vishnu and was selling my work in the local art market. I never looked back, eventually opening my own studio.
In the early eighties, a European tourist visited my studio and invited me to demonstrate the Balinese style of woodcarving in his art gallery in Belgium. Always ready for a new adventure, I accepted. A few years later, I again traveled abroad to represent in an international woodcarving symposium in Kemijarvi, Finland where I was voted “best of show”. This exposure helped to build my international reputation and my work now sells throughout Europe and Asia, with major works in temples in Tokusima, Japan and Jakarta. Students from all over are routinely sent by the government to my studio to learn woodcarving and the spiritual and philosophical traditions that underpin all Balinese art. I teach that carving is both a craft and an act of devotion. Carving transforms a simple piece of wood into an object of beauty; but by offering it to God, the carver infuses the object with a spirit so that it is something more than just a carving. My deep knowledge of Balinese traditions and religious practice gives me a high standing in my community, where I often preside over the many religious ceremonies that crowd the Balinese calendar. 

Doron: Tell me about how you started Blueberry Guitars and what the company philosophy is.

Wayan: When Danny Fonfeder arrived in my studio with a proposal to build a guitar-making studio, I saw a project that would combine my commitment to maintaining Balinese traditions with my desire to help my country develop and grow. I had never built a musical instrument, but I was convinced that if I made the right commitment, I would eventually succeed. I never doubted we could carve a beautiful instrument, but I am still surprised and thrilled at the magnificent sound of the Blueberry Guitar. Danny saw the potential and working with George Morris, we have made it happen. This is an international product imbued with a Balinese spirit.

Doron: How can someone order a guitar from you?

Wayan: can order from my website, http://www.blueberryguitars.com/, which is managed by Mr. Danny Fonfeder. You can also order directly from me.

Doron: Did you do any other type of wood working before beginning to craft guitars?

Wayan: I am originally a wood carver.

Doron: What was it that made you decide to devote your life to crafting instruments?

Wayan: I really enjoy making instruments, and I am free to create some new things on them.

Doron: Did you find that the guitars on the market lacked something that you thought you could improve upon, which made you decide to become a luthier?

Wayan: We must make something different, because so many luthiers in the world make the same things. We must try to incorporate some thing different, but will not disturb the sounds, because the sounds are the most important things.

Doron: How long have you been crafting stringed instruments?

Wayan:  7 years.

Doron: What do you look for in tone woods?

Wayan: besides them being beautiful looking for my creations, the most important is how they can sound good too, and making different sounds as well, so I do not only use spruce and cedar wood for the sounds board, but also use hard woods which other luthiers never use, like rosewood for the sound board. It will have different sounds. I have a special secret, for making the hard woods, we use for the sound boards, have good sounds too. Many luthiers came to me and they said NO!!

Doron: Are there things unrelated to the guitar that inspires a new idea or concept that you incorporate into guitar building, like certain architecture, or nature, etc?

Wayan: Anywhere, any activities, we never know when, the inspirations will come. Let’s enjoy the work.

Doron: What is your philosophy in regards to guitar crafting?

Wayan: It’s art which you can PLAY with!

 Doron: I noticed that your guitars are equal parts instrument and artwork/sculpture. How long did it take you to hone your carving skills, and what was the most difficult carving you have done to date?

Wayan: I started to carve when I was 5 years of age. No difficulties. I will do as long as I think I can do it.

Doron: How long does it typically take to build a Blueberry guitar for an average client?

Wayan: 12 weeks.

Doron: Is the entire guitar handcrafted, or do you use CNC machines for any part?

Wayan: all Hand made, I don’t use CNC machines.

Doron: Being a luthier myself, I find that I love the smell of exotic woods as I cut and shape them. What are some of your favorite species of woods, scent-wise?

Wayan:  I love the smell of spruce and cedar, and also SANDAL wood.

Doron: What are some of your favorite species of woods to work with, carving-wise?

Wayan: Rose wood.

Doron: Have you ever encountered a project that seemed too much of a challenge for you to take on?

Wayan: Yes, but it did not stop me.

Doron: For anyone out there, thinking of a career in lutherie, what kind of advice would you give them?

Wayan: I would advise that they make something different, not to copy the product from others. Make your own style. We need only the basic standard guitar knowledge, and the rest is innovations.

Doron: Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk with me today, Wayan. I greatly appreciate it. Before we go, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Wayan: Greetings and best regards from Bali.

Doron: Thanks again.

OK so, I hope you enjoyed this month’s Corner and feel a bit more informed. If I have answered any questions or curiosities that you had prior to reading this, then I did my job.

Once again, thanks for reading my column and remember no task worth accomplishing is ever achieved if not pursued with fierce dedication. Believe in yourself, and make happen that glorious noise called music! Until next time, remember, there is nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it! Cheers!!