McCARTEN LTD.

Michael McCarten has been making, modifying, and repairing instruments since the late 1970's

Initial experience involved primarily electric guitars, basses and related electronic devices. Expanding from this background into the world of acoustic instruments, valuable learning experiences were gained by making Appalachian dulcimers, fiddles, mandolins and certain "organic hybrids".

Since the mid 1990's his main focus has been on arch top instruments, which Michael finds to be a satisfying blend of tradition, art, evolution, as well as other qualities.

 

AFFILIATIONS

Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.), Member since 1999, Lifetime Member

Guild of American Luthiers (G.A.L.), Member since 1997

New England Luthiers, Member since 2004

The Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers, Member since 2008

 

EVENTS

2000 A.S.I.A. Symposium, Nashville TN

2001 "Dangerous Curves, Art of the Guitar" Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA

2001 A.S.I.A. Symposium, Nashville TN

2001 G.A.L. Convention, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA

2001 Private Tour, Shanghai National Musical Instruments Factory, Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China

2001 Private Tour, The Museum of National Musical Instruments of Chinese Nationalities, Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China

2002 "Arch top Voicing" with John Monteleone, American School of Lutherie, Healdsburg CA

2003 A.S.I.A. Symposium, McDaniel College, Westminster MD

2004 G.A.L. Convention, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA

2005 A.S.I.A. Symposium, McDaniel College, Westminster MD

2006 G.A.L. Convention, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA

2007 Shop tour and interview with Kimura Toshimi, Master Shamisan builder, Mie Prefecture, Japan.

2007 Research visit, National Music Museum (formerly America's Shrine to Music Museum) at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion SD

2007 A.S.I.A. Symposium, Drury University, Springfield MO

2008 G.A.L. Convention, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA

2009 A.S.I.A. Symposium, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg PA

2009 Convention de Luthiers Argentina, Buenos Aries, Argentina

2011 A.S.I.A. Symposium, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg PA

2011 G.A.L. Convention, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA

2013 A.S.I.A. Symposium, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg PA

2014 G.A.L. Convention, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA

2015 A.S.I.A. Symposium, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg PA

2017 A.S.I.A. Symposium, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg PA

2019 A.S.I.A. Symposium, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg PA

 

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

2010 "A Reinterpretation of a Baroque Soundhole Rose", American Lutherie #102