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Part 1: the making of Booker T's custom Baxendale guitar

Last September the Guitar Shop was filled with excitement and creative energy as Scott designed and built an electric guitar for Booker T Jones. 

 

While Booker is well known for playing the Hammond B3 Organ, (Booker T and the MG's) in the last few shows of his recent tour with the Drive-by Truckers, he ended the set playing "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" on (a borrowed) guitar.

When it was confirmed that Booker would be performing with the Truckers at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, October 5th, in San Francisco, Scott made a few phone calls and arranged a surprise personal delivery (and self-imposed deadline) backstage, the morning of the show.

 

Here are some photos of the process.

 

 

September 2009

Colfax Guitar Shop

Denver, CO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

click to see Part 2

where Scott delivers the guitar to Booker T

 

 
COMMENTS
Gogginj said at 1:25 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Very nice; a documentary. Let's jam!
Magedimages said at 1:28 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
How muche this guitar ?
Pkeener said at 1:29 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Hey JG! Thank you. you name the date!
your Gtar is next in the rack...
Andre. said at 1:29 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
It is a great gift to be able to create such beauty. VIVA to Scott!
OscarDaniel said at 1:41 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Great , amazing work Pam thanks!!!
Carpenight said at 1:44 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Fantastic
Pkeener said at 1:44 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Manuel, this guitar priced at $5000.00. Every custom guitar has a different price based on materials (wood, finish, paint, etc) time spent on labor and type of guitar. Acoustic or electric.
Thank you Andre! It was a gift watching it being built and attempting to give it the justice it deserved with my photos
Grumpybachelor said at 1:49 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Oh, Man! Wish I could be there!!
Leftofcenter said at 1:59 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
let's make some noise for Scott Baxendale "maker and player of fine guitars"

http://www.myspace.com/badbax123

every second counts! (my fave)


outstanding photography, only YOU could make the making of a guitar dope! I'm waiting to meet Booker T.
Merja-zerga said at 2:00 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Un travail remarquable!
Assister à la naissance d'un tel objet est fantastique.
Merci de nous offrir cela Pam. NW53
ThierryKarine
Tishfish said at 2:21 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
I love watching "How it's made" on TV. I find it so fascinating. Great shots ! ! ! !
Pkeener said at 2:31 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Hey, Leftie! thank you so much for the endorsement. Scott is in the process of designing a new website and revamping the myspace..
Thierry and Karine, Merci!!
George, its a great place to hang out.
Oscar, thank you for commenting and taking the tour
Chilla said at 2:48 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Pam, this is something very special. The craftsmanship in this unique guitar is beautiful to see. I love the way you have documented the building of the guitar. Wonderful photographs and a fascinating Tabblo. I look forward to Part 2!
Wildthing said at 2:50 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Wonderful pics to illustrate the process, Pam. Scott really is an artisan.
Eamondo said at 3:29 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
top class
NeusinhaGedoz said at 3:31 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Fantastic. Liked to see this sequence. My son liked even more (he was a guitarist).
Sraines902 said at 3:34 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Thanks for the walk through. I'm educated, impressed and got a bad case of wish I had one of them. Let me know when that jam's goin' on with JG .... Very nice.
JuDeck said at 3:57 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Amazing work!
Pattymaryclare said at 4:14 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
oh wow I CAN'T WAIT!!! for Part II Pam (and Scott your craftmanship is amazing - i'll be sharing this tabblo wih A VERY GOOD axe man friend 'o mine HE'LL GO NUTS!!!) BOOKER T. is the BEST AND so is this tab thank you THANK YOU!...fave!! xo Patty
Candlepower said at 4:44 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Beautiful work! Craftmanship at its best! Excellent!
Gerardfotografeert said at 5:41 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Wow, creativity and outstanding craftmanship placed in an excellent and beautiful tabblo. Now I am very curious how the guitar sounds like when Booker T "doing his thing" in a melting pot in a universal Language calling music. Great tabblo Pam with awesome shots and a amazing story.
Patgf58 said at 6:01 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Very very cool documentary. How long did it take to craft? I got alot of music gtar playin friends who'll get a kick outa this. Thanks - Pat
Pkeener said at 6:45 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Hey Pat, this guitar took roughly 3 full weeks. Usually Scott has many irons in the fire, and he tried to focus on this as much as he could. Thank you for passing it on.
Gerard, I rregret that I didn't shoot any video at the concert and concentrated on still photos. The guitar sounds amazing.
Pat, thank you..
Stan, you are welcome and I look forward to the day you come to visit John and can jam with us, aand hope you drop by the shop.
Neusinha, I appreciate your sharing this with your son.
Mike, he truly is and i tend to take it for granted, as I am around him when he is working every day.
Celia, i regret most photos were shot in haste and in unfavorable light setting, but we wanted to make sure we got most of the processs for Booker.
Pkeener said at 8:20 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Patty, I hope part 2 is out tomorrow. Thank you! I appreciate your willingnesss to share it with your guitar player and enthusiasm for Sott's talent
Jigs said at 10:13 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Pam, thank you for letting us experience vicariously the creation of this masterpiece. It really is a work of love and it's great to see the creative process of it all.
415option said at 11:37 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Pamela,
I didn't think I could feel any closer to, or better about "the guitar". But now that I've seen your pictures, it means even more to me. Right now it is packed up tight in a new SKB TSA case, waiting to travel with me to Copenhagen and Berlin tomorrow. It was such a surprise when Scott presented this instrument to me and you can see that I don't believe it at first in the photo sequence. But my smile comes slowly but surely the longer I hold the guitar and it becomes apparent Scott is actually presenting it to me. And with my smile, slowly comes his smile. Then, I look around to my right, trying to find my wife Nan, so I could share this moment with her. After I find her, I want to show Patterson, Mike, and John. (DBTs) It wasn't until later that I realized Damon (Scott, Gtr Tech), knew the whole time. "The whole time" (like in Mrs. Doubtfire). But I am still riding high on the entire experience and would like to once again express my gratitude to Scott, the master. The day at "Hardly Strictly" was blessed from that moment on, with me meeting old and new friends and just experiencing a great vibe. Thanks for the photos. Booker
Fabio_DL said at 11:49 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Pam,

This is a perfect concert of artisanship and photo-reporting. Are we going to have music on part 2? Excellent photos on a beautiful theme! Thanks much!
Karsten said at 12:24 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Pam, this is sooo exiting!! The process is exelent - glad you said it took 3 weeks - at first i thought he hade the guitar in just 1 day...-and your fotos document the process sooo well!! The light sometimes isn´t that important... ;-) Exelent tabblo and i look foreward to part 2!!!
Pkeener said at 1:01 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Hello Jigs! so good to see your comments. You hit the nail on the head, as a lot of love went into this piece. It's amazing to watch scott create his guitars out of pieces of wood that evolve into pieces of art. that make music.
Fabio, I hope to have a link of some music, although it won't be Booker playing the guitar, unless I find a post on youtube.
Noe said at 1:20 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Wow.... this is really interesting and cool Pam, fantastic art and great documentary shots :o)
Leftofcenter said at 6:32 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Booker!
WEIMAR said at 6:45 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
I envy you to have the chances to take photos from this creative, true and concentrated work. And I mean, you worked as your friend Scott. Thanks Pamela.
WEIMAR said at 6:59 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Booker T will have a concert in Berlin this Sunday....( Jazz Fest Berlin) I'm interested in...but its too far for me on this day....:-(
PhotoPop said at 9:07 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Just love craftsmanship. It is what I strive for, the artist at one with his materials which you have captured. Excellent.
Ira said at 9:18 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Creativity which is giving rise music. Perfect job of the foreman. And remarkable supervision of process of creation of the very beautiful musical tool
Chaitiamma said at 9:29 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Great reportage !!!
Pkeener said at 10:05 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Booker, how wonderful to see your comment and I so appreciate that you took the time to look at the Tabblo. I have a DVD burned for you and Nan, but we haven't mailed it off yet. The photos you are speaking of will be in part 2. I was so engaged in your expressions and my eye was glued to my viewfinder as you realized what was actually happening when Scott handed you your guitar. It was a magical time for us, as well. I can't describe in words how Scott and I felt when you picked up the guitar on stage and began to tell your story about how you were in San Francisco as a very young man and you were a part of the creation of the song with Otis Redding and then you and The Truckers ended the set with "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay", with the entire audience whistling the last part with you. I wish you safe travels in Europe and hope you enjoy your tour.
Pkeener said at 10:08 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Thank you David. I love reporting style photography
Ira, thank you so much. I love how you put that Scott and I make a great team ;)
John, I so admire Scott's artistry.
Heidi, I wish you could see Booker T live! I am so thankful to be able to experience Scott's creative energy on a daily basis. He is so inspiring and generous with his creative spirit
Noe, thank you so much.
Erich said at 10:41 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
perfect shots, perfect documentary, outstanding work (both the guitar ant the pictures)
Lifequest22 said at 11:24 a.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Pam--I know I've already told you how fascinating and amazing Scott's skills are when it comes to his skillfull craftmanship in guitar making. I've been studying these photos and just love looking at each part of the process. And the photos, design and layout of this tabblo on your part is Most Excellent. You have really captured the essence of the process. Booker T is one lucky man to have been the recipient of Scott's incredible work. I really like that opening shot of Scott hold the guitar.
Bravemoonbearer said at 2:12 p.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
What a craftsman Scott is.I can understand why you are so pround of him and his workmenship.Your photos are an excellent documentary.
Welshchick said at 4:19 p.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Wowweee Pam~~~each instrument has it's own spirit and sound...this one is really gonna rock! I'll share this with my new son-in-law Ken and my son Joel who are passionate guitar guys... THANK YOU for sharing the love behind the music!
Andre. said at 4:51 p.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Can't wait for part 2 !
Pkeener said at 11:01 a.m. on Nov 5, 2009:
Andre, it's coming together, maybe tomorrow or later today.
Rhonda, that is so true regarding each instrument. they all have their own special spirit
Sandy, he is so much fun to photograph when he is working on a custom guitar.
Linda, I can't tell you how much your comments mean to me. I love that opening shot, too, because it shows Scott's playful spirit
Rainer, thank you for viewing my work!
Debdog said at 4:16 p.m. on Nov 5, 2009:
wow..what an artisan he is!!!!!!!! amazing that the hands still create such a beautiful individual piece......priceless!!!!!!
AdSR said at 5:33 p.m. on Nov 5, 2009:
While I'm not as interested in musical instruments as I used to be, it's always a pleasure to see a luthier at work.
Jesusgoz said at 7:44 a.m. on Nov 6, 2009:
Muy interesante.
Abking said at 12:11 a.m. on Nov 7, 2009:
You captured so well Scott's focus and craftsmanship and artistry that go into creating a guitar. What a gift!
Krisu said at 5:37 a.m. on Nov 8, 2009:
W-O-W!!!
HtD said at 10:36 a.m. on Nov 8, 2009:
wonderful warm Tabblo Pam.
Pkeener said at 10:39 a.m. on Nov 10, 2009:
Thank you for stopping in
Deb, it is a dying tradition and outsourcing to China and other places will surely put an end to this era. How difficult is it to find handmade items on handmade tools?
Thank you Artur. It is a pleasure to watch Scott at work
Allan, thank you.
Rainer, i appreciate that!
Jesus, yes, it is so interesting
Eduardo.affonso said at 10:11 a.m. on Nov 17, 2009:
I had never witnessed the birth of a guitar - and this seems to be a very special one. How long does it take to create such beauty? Despite all technique involved, some of these images are pure poetry.
Pkeener said at 10:20 a.m. on Nov 18, 2009:
Eduardo, it is a Labor of Love in most cases. Booker's guitar was built in 3 weeks, but created for a longer time in Scott's mind. All guitars are made in varying time. Depending on electric or acoustic (take much longer due to bending and shaping wood, bracing, etc. )
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