Re: Charles Orr, Minneapolis guitar maker

I used to hang around the "Guitar Shop" it its various locations in the late 70s and early 80s. Chuck was great company along with his talented luthiers that worked with him (I last saw Jerry Werner who bought the Music Emporium in Fargo where he primarily did instrument repair especially on orchestral string instruments--great guy!).

Chuck was innovative and liked a challenge. He developed a few fretless bass guitars as I was trying to capture the double bass sound with the expansive potentials of an electric bass guitar. Back then, if you wanted the fretless sound, you would either put a fretless neck on a Fender or simply grind down the frets.

Chuck treated young rookie players the same as the pros who would frequent his shop when rolling through town. He was also really respectful when kids would come in with their mothers looking for a first guitar. I must admit that he did treat these customers a bit differently--he would low-key it with his on-the-job beer flow!

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