Jayemar Guitars

08/28/2026

08/03/2026

We lost the Music Man of Challis last week. Jack Hardy was my first band director, a great musician, and always wanted to help bring music to his community. Jack and his wife Eileen’s garage was the location of my first garage band. This photo is from a visit to his basement studio in 2016. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am as an educator today without his example and early encouragement. Thank you, Jack!

07/22/2026

The picture memories say I finished my first guitar 12 years ago today!

It’s a 7-string version of the design that became the Iris. The body is a chunk of anonymous white mahogany that I got at a yard sale (I thought it was spruce). Home Depot supplied the maple for the neck. Fingerboard, headstock cap, bridge base, and control plate are Osage from a midwest friend.

I went down the pickup winding rabbit hole right away, using the fine book by Jason Lollar as a guide. The blade cores were built out of hardware store soft steel, wood grain countertop laminate for the flats, all wound on a winder from sewing machine parts.

It’s obviously a bit clunky, but it plays well (for attempting multiscale on my first build), sounds okay, and I learned a lot. I owe a lot to friends online and IRL, like Chuck Tweedy Bonnell Guitars John Sonksen and many more on the MIMF.

all started here.

07/21/2026

Hanging with fecking legends in the Ellis Hahn - Electric Bass Builder at L.E.H. Guitars loft.

07/11/2026

Here’s a little experiment: can the Alma work as a headless guitar? I think so!

The unique vertical tuning system of the RIVIERA Guitar Tuning System bridges would eliminate the need for a huge tuner access cutout (and a trem would even be possible). This allowed me to just be creative with the Alma design, and it all comes together in a sweet, compact package.

What do you think? Let me build it for you.
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07/07/2026

Why don’t you own this bass? It’s the prototype of the Jessie Lynn headless bass.

My favorite thing about this bass is its origin story. About 10 years ago, we were at my folks’ place for Christmas. My daughter was drawing and coloring at the kitchen table and invited me to join her. I grabbed a piece of paper and some color pencils and drew the sketch you see in the last slide.

You can see what I was trying to do with the headstock, but it wasn’t until I considered it as a headless did the whole Jessie Lynn line of guitars and basses come alive.

You can play this bass Rose City Guitar Company on east Burnside, AND it’s on sale!
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07/05/2026

Me and this girl: 26 years. Just gettin’ started.
JY

06/26/2026

Why don’t you own this guitar?! This is the Wendy Ann, named after my mom, and it is absolutely stunning.

Aside from the crisp and curvaceous contours, my favorite thing about this guitar is the electronics: a vintage output double-slug humbucker in the bridge and my special formula single coil in the neck are just delicious; the 4-way switch gives you 1- bridge full, 2- bridge + neck in parallel, 3- bridge cut + neck in series, and 4- neck. These combinations are all inspiring and just plain fun to play.

Oh, and by the way, this beauty is on a ridiculous sale for an even $2k (more than half off) as a fundraiser for my nephew. Get an extraordinary deal AND contribute to a good cause! Go play today Rose City Guitar Company
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06/15/2026

JY and I are so proud of our Western Washington University 2026 grad lily rodgers.

01/01/2026

2025 only saw one guitar come out of the Jayemar Guitars shop, but I spent some amazing time with , great visits with , and fun gatherings with family and friends. I wish you the best for 2026!
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