I’m pleased to have Murray Kuun as our special guest on this week’s episode of Life With Strings Attached. Murray says that a transformative trip to Italy in the 1990s, punctuated by a visit to Michelangelo’s David and a serendipitous encounter with a Luthier, ignited his desire to craft musical instruments. With only a poorly written book as guidance, he painstakingly fashioned his first violin, marking the beginning of a prolific journey into instrument making. Over the years, he’s honed his craft, making countless traditional violins before transitioning to original designs that more reflect his love for music and innovation. Today, Murray’s portfolio boasts hundreds of one-of-a-kind guitars, violins, mandolins, ukuleles, a lute, and even a cello. While prioritizing sound quality, he devotes considerable attention to aesthetics and ergonomics, ensuring each instrument is as unique as its player. At #GuitarDesignLab, he aspires to be the intersection of tradition and the 21st century, creating art-infused instruments tailored for like-minded musicians. He does this work driven by the belief that bespoke, one-of-a-kind instruments are likely to spark inspiration and musical creativity. It was a pleasure to hear about Murray’s past and perspective, and I hope you enjoy listening along.