One Of The World's Best? Spokane Guitar-Maker Just Could Be -- Classical Is His Specialty - But Chet Atkins Is Also A Fan

SPOKANE - Eric Sahlin's basement is only a step from some of the world's most famous concert halls.

There, amidst the sawdust, the smell of varnish and the exotic woods stacked against the concrete walls, Sahlin, 37, has been building classical and flamenco guitars for almost 18 years. And now he's on the verge of becoming one of the best builders of guitars in the world, say those who know of his work.

Flamenco guitarist Ottmar Liebert has played Sahlin guitars on his two most recent albums. He said he ordered a second one in case something happened to the first.

"The second guitar he made for me is just phenomenal-sounding," Liebert said. "It's very light, it has very fast response, and it has very strong projection."

And classical guitarist Andrew York says he performs and records exclusively on a Sahlin guitar he bought five years ago. "It's subjective," York said, "but what I hear in his guitars, though, I don't hear anything superior (to them)."

The fruits of Sahlin's labors can now be heard on several records and compact discs, and guitars bearing his name are played by owners in eight countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Sahlin's instruments are used by Liebert, York, jazz musician Earl Klugh and even Chet Atkins.

Each took shape in Sahlin's basement, on the work bench by the wall of hand tools, across from the table and band saws, where a soft-rock station seems only to emphasize the stillness. It's quiet place.

"I've always enjoyed working alone," Sahlin said as he put strings on his 154th guitar, a traditional flamenco model, with cypress back and sides and a cedar top.

No. 154 will be sent to a dealer in Tokyo, where it will sell for between $8,000 and $12,000.

In the United States, Sahlin sells his instruments to dealers for $2,100 to $4,300, a price York refers to as "an enormous bargain." The companions to No. 154 are propped on posts in another room, drying.

"The finish takes almost as long as the guitar itself," Sahlin said.

It takes about four months to finish a "batch" of five guitars. Sahlin produces about 18 instruments every year. There is a waiting list a year and a half long for his guitars.

Tim Miklaucic, owner of the Guitar Salon in Santa Monica, Calif., has been selling the Spokane-made instruments for six years. He confirms the demand for Sahlin guitars is strong and growing.

"I wait for six months for a (Sahlin) guitar and it's gone in a day. I have two on order now, and they are both sold," Miklaucic said.

Sahlin and virtually all other classical guitar builders use a Spanish design essentially unchanged in 150 years.

"The basic design is the same, but all the makers today are using variations of that and so the guitars I build, the shape will change and the bracing pattern will change because I'm working toward a different sound," he said.

What kind of sound is that?

"Really, its just kind of a sound in your head," he says.

Those who know it say sound is what is making Sahlin guitars so well known.

"Eric's guitars are probably the best-made guitars in the United States from a craftsmanship point of view," Miklaucic said.

"He's not world renowned yet, but he will be."