Relaunch of Emerald guitars

Today I sent out my first newsletter in nearly 2 years. The last time I sent one it was doom and gloom when I was forced to close down due to circumstances beyond my control.
I have had great support from so many people in the last couple of years that have physically helped get me back on the road and so many who have motivated me to defeat the odds with kind words of support.
Most importantly I have to thank my wife who has put up with all the late nights in the factory while I retooled the guitars. She is so patient and hopefully I will sell enough guitars in the next few weeks to be able to buy her an amazing Christmas present. Doesnt she deserve it.
Its great to be back building guitars and doing what I was put on this earth to do.
I have so many new ideas and creatively perhaps the break was good for me. I am doing the best work of my life right now and I love it.
Thanks for supporting me.
Heres looking to the future

Inspiring the next generation

Today I had the awesome privelage of giving a talk about guitars to a 7th grade class in a school near where I live.
A very good friend of mine Chris scholes is a teacher in the school and over the last few months I think Chris has been telling the kids about Bahamut the dragon guitar and my antics in China with Leehom.
The kids had an opportunity to do a school project so they chose to design guitars so I guess thats where it all falls into place for me to be invited there.
I have spoken in front of a few hundred adults before but there was something even more intimidating about a bunch of 10 year olds.
I turned up at the school with a travel guitar, my new electric bass and to get them really excited I took along the Alien. Well you can imagine the reactions when I unpacked the Alien. I had gone in there with a plan of what to say but from word go I just got interigated with questions so it kind of took care of itself.
I showed them some pics of guitars and talked about how I design guitars and even had Chris put the bass between 2 chairs and sat on it to show how strong my guitars are. That really got the kids excited because to put it politely Chris is a big guy, actually he is a really big guy. Thankfully the guitar held out and the kids got a laugh.
Then I told them the story about Bahamut and Leehom and I showed them a Clip of a Leehom concert, well that really got them going. It was amazing to see a class of Irish kids taking so much interest in Chinese music.
It was a great day and a great privelage to be able to share my experiences with the kids and hopefully inspire them a little. The cardboard guitars they had made were great and full of imagination. Brings back memories of my childhood making mock up guitars when I was about 10!
I think I will do this sort of thing again!
Alistair

Getting settled back into home!

I am finally back at work after nearly 5 weeks of travel. This is the longest time I have ever been away from work but in fact it has been one of the most productive times in my career with so many things coming together in China and Thailand.
I now have the challenge of getting everything back up to speed.
My personal focus over the next few months will be some more spectacular custom guitars that I have on order for a customer in Thailand as well as overseeing the production of the standard guitar range.
There is alot in the pipeline for the next few months in terms of development of new models with the new Woody guitars coming through and the ongoing development of the new electric bass.
Its going to be an exciting and busy run up to Christmas.
Just the other day I received a video clip from Leehom. Bahamut has become a major part of his music and that in turn has created alot of opportunities. This whole thing has been an incredible experience.
Who would have thought that a young guy from Ireland could be getting the job of building Dragons for people in China. Its kind of like selling snow to Eskimo's.

Hanging on Koh Chang

I was preparing for my trip home when I got a call from Mr Ekkasit requesting that I stay a few days longer and go Koh Chang Island with him. Well I didn’t have to think twice about that so we have been on the Island for the last 2 days.

This is a magical place. It’s a small Island near to the border with Cambodia with tall mist covered mountains covered in thick lush Jungle.

While this is a tourist Island it is still pretty much unspoilt and retains its charm. While in Bangkok we regularly used Limo’s here our Limo was the back of a pick up truck or on a Moped.

The first day we went up into the mountain to a large waterfall where We eventually ended up going swimming and I couldn’t resist demonstrating the water resistance of the X5 so it went swimming too. I think the locals thought I was crazy.

Today we went on a boat trip around a few smaller islands to go snorkelling, It was a great experience snorkelling on the coral reefs with all the fish. This was my first time.

In between snorkelling we lounged on the boat where I got my legs incredibly sunburned, Ouch and we played guitar and yes the guitar went swimming again too. I cant recommend salt water for the strings but It was worth sacrificing a set of strings for the pics.


This has just been amazing here. I feel so blessed that my work has brought me here. It makes all the tough days much more worth while.

Tomorrow I fly back to Ireland and then the reality kicks in. !

Thank you Mr Ekkasit for giving me this amazing trip.

Time for home!

We have been back in Bangkok for 5 days now and I am supposed to be flying home tomorrow.

This has been a great week. Its been all about relaxing and taking in the sights of Bangkok and its surroundings. This is a truly inspirational place.

My main reason for being here is to design some new custom guitars for Mr Ekkasit and my travels have been my inspiration.

It’s a long time if ever since I have had time to just sit with my thoughts and truly look at whats around me to gaion inspiration. Yes I take inspiration from my surroundings all the time but on this trip my eyes just seemd to be focused that little bit better. I have been looking sat things in a different way, a more creative way and I have had some great ideas this week. This trip will certainly have an impact on my work well into the future.

Walking on the wall !

I am sitting here on the flight back to Bangkok looking back at the last couple of days and I can barely describe how much it meant to me. I had planned to go to the wall with jingles but having everyone there was just so special. I had hoped to get some nice footage of myself and jingles with the guitars but what we got was beyond anything I could have planned. Jingles playing and everyone dancing on top of a tower will stick with me for a long time not to mention Queen Brandi being carried up the side of a mountain on that throne by her 2 loyal subjects. It was the perfect day with the perfect bunch of people and I hope the planets allign again in the near future and bring us all together again.

The memories of today will live forever in the work they inspire!

Music Man show !

22/8/09

Its 4:30AM and I have just come in from the after show party.

Today was a great day. This morning I went to meet Henri Benaim who is the director of an art gallery out here. I saw the guy on a CNN program the other day and tracked him down. He is originally a New Yorker but has been living in Beijing working successfully in the art world. I arranged to meet him to get an insight into the local galleries and over a cup of coffee in Starbucks he was able to give me a great deal of help and direction. From there we went off on Henri’s direction to find some galleries.

We took a short Taxi ride to an area called 798 which is an old industrial complex which has now been transformed into an art district with studios galleries and all kinds of unusual little shops.

We wandered there for a few hours before going back to the stadium where we had arranged to take photos of Leehom with Bahamut. We also were photographing Jingles and the new bass that I built for him. What a great thing it was to see a guitar that I just completed a couple of hours before I left home being tested on such a grand stage. It looks and sounds awesome. I am looking forward to taking the bass thing further.

After sound check we went to dinner with all the musicians and some of the crew in a beautiful restaurant by a lake. It was good food with great people.

Then came the show! I had been assigned a couple of extra tickets so I invited Henri along as my guest and after meeting him at the gate we went to look for what were supposed to be VIP seats but I found myself way off to the side in horrible seats with a terrible view. I was a bit pissed off as I knew someone had made a cock up and although I had been in the stadium for the past 2 days I hadn’t been given a proper pass so I couldn’t get into the proper area so off I went to the back of the stage and after a few minutes of arguments with Chinese guards who didn’t understand what I was arguing about along came a guy from Sony and gave me the proper passes. By this time we had missed the first 30 minutes but I soon was able to settle into what was an awesome show. The stadium was filled with 45,000 people waving glow sticks. It made an unforgettable sight.

About half way through the show an unexpected guest appeared. It was Jackie Chan. Leehom genuinely knew nothing about it and nearly fell over on stage with surprise. Leehom had recently finished a film with Jackie so I guess this was a bit of PR. I had hoped Jackie would turn up at the after party but there was no sign of him.

I had a great time at the aftershow party hanging with all my new found friends and after the after show party came the after,after show party in a little club some where in Beijing where we Celebrated Patricks birthday.

Its been a long night and in fact its been a long few days so now its time for some sleep. A bunch of us are going to the Great wall tomorrow. Its going to be amazing!

Sound Check Beijing

Beijing 21/8/09

I have the best seat in the house! I am currently inside the stadium listening to the rehearsal. We are in the workers stadium which is a large soccer stadium. Its been a great day meeting everyone again and just catching up.

it’s a weird vibe here because the local police have such a strong presence. They are dotted all around the stadium and marching too and fro for reasons that weren’t apparent. All day they were keeping people off the pitch in the centre of the stadium as if it were sacred ground. Even Jim was getting chased as he checked the sound levels in the centre of the pitch but now the sun has set and I have made my way silently out to the centre circle where I am watching this private show. I have been told to move a few times but I just refused and they surprisingly left me alone. A couple of minutes ago 8 soldiers marched across the field to me in perfect sync and proceeded to scold at me in Chinese. I thought the game was over but weirdly another guy came over and said something and they all marched off and left me all alone on the field. It is an awesome feeling sitting on the grass in what now is a dark stadium with only the stage lights filtering back onto my vantage point.

I cant believe I am here in Beijing. This is an awesome privilege and something I could never have imagined could have happened to a guy from a small town in Ireland. Its just so unlikely being here in the land of the dragon as the builder of what is currently the most famous dragon in China. Thank you Leehom.

I have been sitting here thinking I was not seen but just a second ago the flood lights came up on the pitch to leave me looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights. Leehom just waved and said high Alistair through the PA. Now theres a memory!

Delivering the Dragon

I have now been in Bangkok 3 days and only now am I getting a chance to write the blog.

I had intended to do this everyday but to be honest I have been too busy.

The day before I left was crazy. I had a problem with the new bass for Jingles and ended up having to rewire it. It was only completed 1 hour before I left.

My dad picked me up at 3:30 PM. Now the PM part is important as my dad was knocking on my door at 3:30 AM. I chased him and went back to bed but the night was ruined.

We had a good trip across flying from Dublin to Abu Dhabi then on to Bangkok where we were met of the flight and escorted to a waiting Limo.

I have to say this beats the usual commotion and confusion that surrounds me when I travel.

We arrived at the hotel and checked in where my very gracious host Mr Ekkasit had arranged a beautiful suite for me. After a quick shower to wash away the sweat and a quick brush of the teeth to remove the fur that had built up during the flight we went to meet Mr Ekkasit in the presidential suite to present him with his new guitar.

When we met I think we were both as nervous. I was nervous that after 3 months work and 9 months in planning the guitar would not be what he wanted and he was nervous that after 9 months this might not be what he hoped and in fact he later told me that he didn’t really like the designs from the picture.

He opened the case and to see the look on his face was worth travelling half way round the world to see.

He loved the guitar in every way and when he plugged it in it sounded awesome as I knew it would. The double EMG humbuckers really give this guitar a big voice. And the carbon makes it sustain for ever.

It was a great first day and we topped it off with a beautiful Thai meal.

That night I slept like a log and then Tuesday was just spent relaxing and catching up on a few emails before going for a traditional Thai massage and no it wasn’t what you are thinking. It was the best way to get rid of the tension that had built up over the previous months and indeed year. I lay there looking down at the flowers floating in the bowl below me and it was as if this was the reward for everything that has gone on. I very rarely look back ,but this past couple of days have allowed me to look back and realise that it was the difficulties I have encountered over the last few years that have led to the opportunities that now lie before me.

Yesterday we went to the grand Palace in Bangkok, what a beautiful place. Its quite inspiring to see the detail and skill that went into creating it. We wandered around in the melting heat taking the sights and sounds of this beautiful place in and everywhere I went there was Melvin with the camera. Oh yes I forgot to mention I have this crazy little Leprechaun following me around filming my every move for a documentary. I don’t think I will get used to that but at least you will all get a chance to see what I have been up to.

Now brings me to today!!!!!! Where to strart ? Well it was an ordinary day, breakfast by the pool followed by a trip round Bangkok’s art galleries to get a feel for the local scene and to stimulate my imagination. When I came back I met with Mr Ekkasit where he requested that I move the strap button to help how the guitar balanced on a strap. I borrowed a screwdriver, drill and some drill bits and set about what should have been a 2 minute job but while under the firm supervision of Mr Ekkasit and his butler disaster struck. On the last turn of the screwdriver the head just came off the screw. I froze there for what seemed like a few minutes and then looked at them. I didn’t know what to do as the sweat started to build on my brow.

Within a couple of minutes we were in a Limo with Draco reclining in the luxury seats and off we went across the city to the emergency room. A few minutes later we arrived at an exclusive jewellery store where the owner met us at the door and quickly ushered us up stairs. It was like we had just turned up at the ER with a gunshot victim .

It turned out this place was also a major jewellery manufacturer and they took us into a room where about 40 people were working on some highly exclusive jewellery. Everyone stopped to look at this pale faced Irish guy holding a dragon by the neck.

They sat me at a bench and brought me tools and with the Butler by my side and 8 assistants we performed the delicate operation to remove the screw. I think I would have been less nervous removing a bullet from someones chest. The operation actually went pretty straight forward once I had the correct tools but it was certainly a dramatic and surreal experience. We got a new screw and this time it went in without a hitch. Job Done.

There was still the issue of what to do with the hole that remained so we went into another room and chose a nice 4mm ruby which we are going to set in a white gold bezel and then we will come back on Tuesday to have it inserted. That should be a less dramatic procedure.

As I write I am in Bangkok airport waiting for our flight to Beijing. I am really excited about this trip. It was amazing being in Malaysia for a Lee Hom show but to be in Beijing will really be special. Special because it’s the capital city but also because I get to meet everyone who became friends at the Malaysia show. There are a great bunch of people there and they really make me feel welcome. I also have a lot to do to move the exhibition idea forward so a lot hangs on the next few days. Lets hope it all goes to plan.

Taming the dragon

I have now been in Bangkok 3 days and only now am I getting a chance to write the blog.
I had intended to do this everyday but to be honest I have been too busy.
The day before I left was crazy. I had a problem with the new bass for Jingles and ended up having to rewire it. It was only completed 1 hour before I left.
My dad picked me up at 3:30 PM. Now the PM part is important as my dad was knocking on my door at 3:30 AM. I chased him and went back to bed but the night was ruined.
We had a good trip across flying from Dublin to Abu Dhabi thern on to Bangkok where we were met of the flight and escorted to a waiting Limo.
I have to say this beats the usual commotion and confusion that surrounds me when I travel.
We arrived at the hotel and checked in where my very gracious host Mr Ekkasit had arranged a beautiful suite for me. After a quick shower to wash away the sweat and a quick brush of the teeth to remove the fur that had built up during the flight we went to meet Mr Ekkasit in the presidential suite to present him with his new guitar.
When we met I think we were both as nervous. I was nervous that after 3 months work and 9 months in planning the guitar would not be what he wanted and he was nervous that after 9 months this might not be what he hoped and in fact he later told me that he didn’t really like the designs from the picture.
He opened the case and to see the look on his face was worth travelling half way round the world to see.

He loved the guitar in every way and when he plugged it in it sounded awesome as I knew it would. The double EMG humbuckers really give this guitar a big voice. And the carbon makes it sustain for ever.
It was a great first day and we topped it off with a beautiful Thai meal.
That night I slept like a log and then Tuesday was just spent relaxing and csatching up on a few emails before going for a traditional Thai massage and no it wasn’t what you are thinking. It was the best way to get rid of the tension that had built up over the previous months and indeed year. I lay there looking down at the flowers floating in the bowl below me and it was as if this was the reward for everything that hsas gone on. I very rarely look back but this past couple of days have allowed me to look back and realise that it was the difficulties I have encountered over the last few years that have led to the opportunities that now lie before me.
Yesterday we went to the grand Palace in Bangkok, what a beautiful place. Its quite inspiring to see the detail and skill that went into creating it. We wandered around in the melting heat taking the sights and sounds of this beautiful place in and everywhere I went there was Melvin with the camera. Oh yes I forgot to mention I have this crazy little Leprechaun following me around filming my every move for a documentary. I don’t think I will get used to that but at least you will all get a chance to see what I have been up to.
Now brings me to today!!!!!! Where to strart ? Well it was an ordinary day, breakfast by the pool followed by a trip round Bangkok’s art galleries to get a feel for the local scene and to stimulate my imagination. When I came back I met with Mr Ekkasit where he requested that I move the strap button to help how the guitar balanced on a strap. I borrowed a screwdriver, drill and some drill bits and set about what should have been a 2 minute job but while under the firm supervision of Mr Ekkasit and his butler disaster struck. On the last turn of the screwdriver the head just came off the screw. I froze there for what seemed like a few minutes and then looked at them. I didn’t know what to do as the sweat started to build on my brow.
Within a couple of minutes we were in a Limo with Draco reclining in the luxury seats and off we went across the city to the emergency room. A few minutes later we arrived at an exclusive jewellery store where the owner met us at the door and quickly ushered us up stairs. It was like we had just turned up at the ER with a gunshot victim .
It turned out this place was also a major jewellery manufacturer and they took us into a room where about 40 people were working on some highly exclusive jewellery. Everyone stopped to look at this pale faced Irish guy holding a dragon by the neck.
They sat me at a bench and brought me tools and with the Butler by my side and 8 assistants we performed the felicate operation to remove the screw. I think I would have been less nervous removing a bullet from someones chest. The operation actually went pretty straight forward once I had the correct tools but it was certainly a dramatic and surreal experience. We got a new screw and this time it went in without a hitch. Job Done.
There was still the issue of what to do with the hole that remained so we went into another room and chose a nice 4mm ruby which we are going to set imn a white gold bezel and then we will come back on Tuesday to have it inserted. That should be a less dramatic procedure.
As I write I am in Bangkok airport waiting for our flight to Beijing. I am really excited about this trip. It was amazing being in Malaysia for a Lee Hom show but to be in Beijing will really be special. Special because it’s the capital city but also because I get to meet everyone who became friends at the Malaysia show. There are a great bunch of people there and they really make me feel welcome. I also have a lot to do to move the exhibition idea forward so a lot hangs on the next few days. Lets hope it all goes to plan.
Alistair

My First Blog

Well here it is, the start of a whole new era at Emerald Guitars.

For far too long I have been tucked away in my factory working on new stuff and now it is time to share it with the world. I intend to keep regular updates here in the coming days and weeks so keep checking and feel free to bug me if I am not keeping up with the posts.

Those of you who get the Emerald news letter will remember the sad news in the last one 18 months ago that declared the end of Emerald Guitars. At that time I suffered difficulties that were all beyond my control and basically the un cooperation of a third party put the lights out over night but they never really went out for very long.

It was a difficult time but I guess looking back it may well have set a new course that is way more positive. At the time I stopped We were flowing well producing good numbers of guitars but the reality was I wasnt enjoying it. I started building guitars because I loved to build guitars but the irony was that the bigger the company became the more I was removed from building guitars and for nearly three years I hadnt built a guitar from start to finish. My day was consumed with office work, marketing, purchasing and sorting out other peoples mess and any one who knows me knows that what I love mess is being at my bench being creative. It had to change!

For the past year I have been working on new ideas and doing some amazing custom builds and I love it. The past 18 months havent been a breeze because alot had to be resolved but being back building guitars from the start through to playing there first note has been amazing.

I guess I should walk you through some of the highlights.

It all kicked off last year when I got a call out of the Blue from a gentle man looking for a rather unusual guitar. It turned out this guy was the assistant to Leehom Wang, one of Asia's biggest stars. He had seen some of my previous work and was looking for something special for an upcoming concert. What that something special turned out to be was a guitar (which is now called Bahamut) shaped like a dragon spiraled into a treble cleff.

it was an exotic design but the kind of thing I love so within days construction started and I had a 6 week window to build the most incredible guitar of my life.

It was early morning and late nights but it was worth it. It turned out amazing and when Leehom Unveiled it to the world it became an instant success. You might not speak Mandarin but you will get the jist of the impact it had.




The Guitar was unveiled in September and has been touring Asia since making quite a name for itself. Check out some concert footage here.

Since all this it has led to some amazing opportunities and I had the privelage of being a guest at Leehom's concert in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in May. What an experience to see your work being played in front of 25,000 people, this is what I started building guitars for.

The last 3 months have been spent building another Dragon for a customer in Bangkok and currently I am just putting the final touches to it before I fly out to deliver it next week. Soo many doors have been opening in the last year that the difficultes of the past have melted away. I have 2 weeks in Bangkok where I will be working on more designs for this new customer and then we are flying on to Beijing to see Leehom perform in front of 50,000 people. Thats going to be an amazing trip and I hope to do regular posts here during the trip. So what of acoustic guitars? after all that is what my true purpose is on this planet. Well over the last 18 months I have built some real beauties and have been doing alot of development. The big new development has been the wood veneer guitars. I have finally perfected the art o fusing the most exotic veneers to the carbon body to give a guitar with all the structural and tonal benefits of carbon with the beauty of exoic woods and the best part is that I can use just about any type of wood as its not structural or tonal so you will see things you have never seen before on an acoustic guitar.

I am just completing a new website and the new series will be available there very soon.

As well as the new finish options I have been tweaking the structure a little to give the guitars a bit more projection and enhance the tone somewhat. I am always tweaking the guitars and I always try to make my next guitar my best guitar. Its been great being back building right the way through as I have picked a number of areas for improvement and now there is noone to blame but myself.

For the past 18 months it has just been me building and thats been great but a valued friend is going to be joining me very soon to keep me from talking to myself. I intend to keep things small for the forseen future and I am definitely sticking with the direct sale policy as I love being able to get to know my customers and build a guitar that will bring out the best in their playing and inspire new music. I learn so much more about my guitars by having this direct connection ad I hope in turn you get a better guitar. I know its not for everyone to buy a guitar they havent played before from half the way around the world but for those who do you are sure to get the personal experience whether its a €595 X5 or a €20,000 Dragon and in the unlikely event that you discover that you dont like the guitar I am happy to take it back.

Thank you to everyone who sent me all the kind emails of support over the last 18 months. You are the guys who inspired me to overcome the substantial hurdles.

Its a new Dawn with an exciting future, I hope you will follow that future through these posts and please give me your feedback.

Alistair Hay