Neil’s guitar was built by Luthier Scot Tremblay. Scot specializes in building early nineteenth century guitars and has studied hundreds of old instruments in his quest to build them authentically. He has a long waiting list so when this instrument unexpectedly came available, Neil was thrilled. He had been wanting to commission an instrument exactly like this one: a French instrument with an added seventh string – essential for playing the music of Napoleon Coste (1805-1883).

Tamara is playing a guitar that also came to her by chance. She heard this instrument in a concert featuring the Ashland, Oregon, guitarist, James Bishop-Edwards. James, an accomplished lutenist as well as professional guitarist, sold it to Tamara so that he could add to his Baroque instruments. Her instrument of unknown origin (it appears to be French) matches Neil’s Tremblay beautifully.