Sakashta 7 String
Here is a portrait of the exquisite custom 7-string guitar, handmade by legendary Sonoma county luthier Taku Sakashta, completed in 2009. Sadly, this gifted artist was murdered in 2010 while working late in his shop.
The intense thought and musical craft that Taku applied to his work elevated his instruments to a completely different level.
This is my personal custom guitar that took Taku 2-1/2 years to complete. When the guitar was finished, Taku said he would need to hear the guitar in my practice room through my own amp rig so he could complete the set up. He and his charming wife showed up at my house, Taku holding his bag of tools. He immediately went to work making tweaks here and there while I played the guitar. Together, we dialed in just the right voice through the amp and it sounded amazing. I felt like I had purchased a high-end custom suit and the master tailor was making his final critical adjustments.
On that evening I could also see the spark in Taku's eye as he watched his creation come alive in the hands of its new owner. It had taken years of planning, building, and refinement in his hands for countless hours; now he would be leaving it behind at a new home, and I could sense his love and attachment for the instrument.
Shortly after, I was crushed to hear the news of Taku's death at the hands of a violent offender. I will skip over those details but you can search them online to learn more.
The guitar is a tangible record of Taku's contribution, however brief, to the world of music. Every time I hold the instrument, I replay in my mind some very fond memories of a friend and artist who touched my soul.
Rest in peace, Taku Sakashta (1966-2010)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lens is the A120mm f/4 macro on the 645Z. Overhead lighting is a Priolite MBX500HS strobe through a ParaPop 38" octabox. Focus stacking applied.
Sakashta 7 String
Here is a portrait of the exquisite custom 7-string guitar, handmade by legendary Sonoma county luthier Taku Sakashta, completed in 2009. Sadly, this gifted artist was murdered in 2010 while working late in his shop.
The intense thought and musical craft that Taku applied to his work elevated his instruments to a completely different level.
This is my personal custom guitar that took Taku 2-1/2 years to complete. When the guitar was finished, Taku said he would need to hear the guitar in my practice room through my own amp rig so he could complete the set up. He and his charming wife showed up at my house, Taku holding his bag of tools. He immediately went to work making tweaks here and there while I played the guitar. Together, we dialed in just the right voice through the amp and it sounded amazing. I felt like I had purchased a high-end custom suit and the master tailor was making his final critical adjustments.
On that evening I could also see the spark in Taku's eye as he watched his creation come alive in the hands of its new owner. It had taken years of planning, building, and refinement in his hands for countless hours; now he would be leaving it behind at a new home, and I could sense his love and attachment for the instrument.
Shortly after, I was crushed to hear the news of Taku's death at the hands of a violent offender. I will skip over those details but you can search them online to learn more.
The guitar is a tangible record of Taku's contribution, however brief, to the world of music. Every time I hold the instrument, I replay in my mind some very fond memories of a friend and artist who touched my soul.
Rest in peace, Taku Sakashta (1966-2010)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lens is the A120mm f/4 macro on the 645Z. Overhead lighting is a Priolite MBX500HS strobe through a ParaPop 38" octabox. Focus stacking applied.