Filmmaker Tim Edwards takes an inside look at Collings Guitars with his new documentary “Instrumental” (2010). The 12 minute film takes us into the heart of Collings’ culture, touching on everything from Bill’s inspiration to build his first guitars to his success as an internationally recognized luthier. Exclusive interviews with shop employees and Collings loyalists give insight into Bill’s determination to build the world’s finest guitars and mandolins.

I can’t help it. I love videos like this.

This is a fantastic video with Mark Knopfler talking about six of the guitars that have meant the most to him over the years. It’s nice to see Mark talk about the guitars and play some of the licks that made the guitars noteworthy.

GUITAR STORIES : MARK KNOPFLER from eld76 on Vimeo.

(Many thanks to Guitar Lifestyle reader Chad S. for letting me know about this video.)

This is an interesting video by Mike Collins about Frank Ford and Richard Johnston, founders of Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA. I’ve heard good things about Gryphon, although I haven’t yet purchased anything from them. The passion that Ford and Johnston have for guitars is evident in the video.

Gryphon Strings from Mike Collins on Vimeo.

I really dig this video of the Michael Landau Group in Prague in 2010. I believe the title of the track is “Worried Life Blues”:

I love the tone he gets out of his Strat.

Pieces of wood, love, knowledge and 299 hours of work, condensed in a 3 minute film.

Beautiful.

(via Jim Dalrymple)

This is fun to watch and very impressive:

(via Jim Dalrymple)

Buddy Guy was recently interviewed on Tavis Smiley’s PBS show about Guy’s new autobiography, When I Left Home. Buddy seems like quite a character, and I’d love to listen to him tell stories all day. For now, this short 24 minute interview will have to do:

While this is not guitar-specific, I found this short video profile Brooklyn-based violin maker Sam Zygmuntowicz very interesting. If you’re into the process of instrument building, check it out:

The Violin Maker from Dustin Cohen on Vimeo.

(via kottke.org)

This is a wonderful video featuring Jay Lichty, a luthier I have discussed several times on here. One day, I plan on creating my own guitar from scratch. Until then, I’ll enjoy watching videos like this for inspiration:

If you’re looking to build your own guitar, too, Lichty even offers a guitar-building workshop.

Dylan Higginbotham, who along with his wife Leah creates videos for inthegarage.tv, recently e-mailed me in response to my post about cigar-box guitar builder Dr. Kirk Withrow. Higginbotham let me know that one of their recent videos featured Sean Kochel, who creates guitars using antique woods and cigar boxes. Kochel’s guitars are unique in that he uses reclaimed wood from old barns and other antique buildings, and he also incorporates other antique touches, such as an antique key as a bridge or old bullet heads as fret markers. These touches create a cigar-box style guitar unlike any others I’ve seen before.

Check out the profile of Sean Kochel by inthegarage.tv below: