William Laskin

William "Grit" Laskin (born August 23, 1953) is a Canadian luthier and musician, particularly notable for his high-quality instruments, acoustic guitar innovations (such as the "Laskin Armrest" and "Ribrest") and for his skill in the art of inlay. Larry Robinson, author of The Art Of Inlay, describes Laskin as "one of the most astonishing inlay artists in North America." His guitars have been exhibited as works of art by several museums.

Career

As a musician, he has several solo CDs, and is known as a member of Friends of Fiddler's Green. He accompanied Stan Rogers (sometimes under the epithet "The Masked Luthier of Dupont Street") both on recordings and on tour.

Laskin learned the trade though an apprenticeship with Jean Larrivée, beginning in 1971. He makes on average 20 to 24 guitars a year and he has made guitars for many well-known artists such as: k.d. lang, Owen McBride, Margaret Christl, Paul Mills, Ben Mink, Garnet Rogers and Stan Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, and José Valle ('Chuscales').

He wrote a book entitled Laskin, Grit; Pickell, Brian (1987). The World of Musical Instrument Makers:a guided tour. Oakville, Ontario: Mosaic Press. ISBN 978-0-88962-349-1. OCLC 16579105.  that became the basis for an exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre and the exhibit also travelled to other locations in Ontario. He has written numerous other books and articles including: Laskin, Grit (2003). A Guitarmaker's Canvas: The Inlay Art of Grit Laskin. Berkeley, CA: San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-756-1. OCLC 52380931. ISBN 0-87930-756-0. . Laskin was also the founder of the International Association of String Instrument Artisans.

Solo CDs

• Unmasked
• Lila's Jig
• A Few Simple Words 1995

Other CDs

• Between the Breaks...Live! 1979 Stan Rogers
• The Barley Grain for Me Margaret Christl and Ian Robb with Grit Laskin 1998

Literary Reference

A character in the Charles de Lint novel 'Moonheart' owns a Grit Laskin guitar.