Don Maloney
Interested in a variety of styles of music from an early
age, Don wanted to play music from the start. "I
remember wanting to be a musician before I was in
fifth grade."
After trying a number of other instruments, Don
picked up his Dad's old guitar at age 13, and it was love
at first sight. For his 14th birthday he got a new guitar
and lessons from a local jazz musician.
Less than a year later, Don got his first Michael Hedges
CD. Michael Hedges’ music opened Don's ears and mind
to the possibilities that instrumental solo guitar
possessed. Don began composing solo guitar pieces
and performing them whenever he got the chance.
Don continued adding influences and learned from
many fantastic musicians in high school and college
including Howard Levy and Regi Wooten.
Don performed for 4 years, and released a CD with the
contemporary folk group, Evidence. He has also
performed in Blues, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Funk, and World
Fusion bands.
In the spring of 2005, Don moved to a suburb of
Phoenix, Arizona, and can be seen performing solo and
with several bands including Dual Frequency with Ray
Riendeau. Dual Frequency is planning the release of
their first CD in 2008.
Don's First CD, "Eight Rivers" was released in December
of 2006 and showcases Don's song-writing ability,
musical diversity, and overall command of both 7 and 8
string guitars.
I took a road trip to the Conklin Shop to pick up a M.E.U.
that I had ordered. What a beautiful instrument! It had
great tone, playability, and amazing craftsmanship. While I
was at the shop, I asked Bill if he had any 7-string guitars I
could try out. He said, "No, an 8-string." The guitar he
handed me had a gorgeous quilted maple top, and played
like an absolute dream. It combined everything that I
enjoyed about playing bass with everything I enjoyed
about playing guitar. I have always been more of a guitar
player, but I use a lot of bass techniques in my guitar
playing. Although the 8th string was a little difficult to get
used to, and I felt as though I was tripping over frets and
strings more than creating music, I could see the potential
that the 8-string provided. Less than 2 weeks later, I
placed my order.
Ok, so that was the easy part. I knew that I wanted an 8
string guitar, and I knew that I wanted Conklin to make it
for me. I also knew that if I was going to have a custom
guitar made, I was going to have a custom guitar made!
We talked about the woods, and I trusted Bill's extensive
experience. I knew I wanted the beautiful burled maple
top that I had seen. I wanted a full range sound from the
guitar. It had to be super clean, but punchy. I wanted the
bass side to have a lot of low end, and did not want the
low B or F# to sound thudy like many 7 strings that I had
played. I also wanted complete control of the tone on the
guitar. So here was the list. I wanted 2 humbucking
pickups split down the middle to separate outputs sending
the low 4 strings to a bass amp, and the top 4 strings to a
guitar amp. I wanted each side to have a 3 way pickup
selector switch, a 3 band EQ, piezo pickups, separate
volumes, and a switch to go from single coil to humbucker.
Mike took that a step further, and had a 3 way switch for
each pickup to switch between series and parallel wiring,
and single coil. I also wanted to be able to switch to a
mono output when I was only using one amp. Bill and Mike
kept me informed of the progress that they were making.
I had planned a drive across country right around the
time that the guitar was to be finished. I told Conklin that,
and asked if they could have the guitar finished in time for
me to pick it up. Mike said he was finishing up the wiring,
and if he could get it done in time, then I would be able to
pick it up. In typical Conklin fashion, Mike finished the
extensive wiring, and I was able to pick up.
The guitar surpassed my already high expectations. The
sound is perfect, and the tonal versatility is amazing. It is
also very beautiful, and the craftsmanship is top of the
line. I love the guitar, and could not have asked for a
better instrument.
-Don Maloney