Conversations with Scott Martinez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Martinez.

Hi Scott, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been a studio guy for much of my life, from my teenage years recording and mixing in analog studios to the present day using VST’s. I was also a bass player from very early on, mostly because everybody wanted to play guitar and most of them were better than me, and I figured bass would be easier. Boy was I wrong! Of course, I’d be 10x the guitar player I am today if I had been able to afford a decent guitar – anybody that has played guitar has played a crummy guitar at one point or another and knows how frustrating it is. I started my business – Samsara Guitars – with the intent on donating guitars for kids that can’t afford them, to save them from having the same experience. I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it!!

I haven’t been open to the public for recording for the past couple years, building my guitar company and homesteading, but I’m soon going to be available for mixing, mastering and overdubbing recording sessions. So if you’re interested in any of those – hit me up! Most people can do the recordings themselves these days anyway, but it’s another matter to make it sound professional. I can handle that part for you. Until then, I am working on building my guitar making skills, and also performing maintenance on local artists’ instruments.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Over the years, with the improvement and affordability of recording gear, more and more people are recording themselves. So that part of the business has dropped off. Of course, they’re probably finding out that making it sound “professional” is no easy task. I have countless hours behind a mixing desk, and have a treated room, so I’ve decided that I’m going to offer mixing services for home recordists, because I CAN make things sound better than they can, just by virtue of having experience doing it for thousands of hours in my lifetime – and I have the equipment to clean things up if necessary, I can reamp guitars, replace drums, and ‘gasp’ autotune if necessary, though I’m not a big fan of it. But at the end of the day, it’s not MY music.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a craftsperson in the purest sense. From my recording work, and my music compositional skills I have a ton of experience with both and can help guide artists in both endeavors, without getting too involved – unless they really want me to. That part is up to them, and I don’t get offended if they want me to keep my mouth shut. As I said earlier, it’s not MY music project. I’m just the facilitator and hired hand. I think I’m known for being fun to work with, and providing good quality recordings. I’m also known for my band Alice Sweet Alice, though we’re currently on extended hiatus, because I needed a break. 7 albums in 15 years is a LOT. I’m pretty proud of what we did though.

Now I’m becoming known for building guitars and offering Luthiery services. As a player, I understand what’s important and what’s not, so I can give real world advice to players on what needs to be done, and I understand what they’re talking about when expressing concerns. I love taking guitars that need love and making them like new again – and the look on my client’s faces is priceless! I think being able to do recording, and be able to fix equipment sets me apart from some other studios in town. I’ve just started taking commissions, which is a whole journey in itself! I’m making my own designs and doing some innovative things that set me apart.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
That we are only limited by fear. You can do anything you put your mind to, and if you fail – that’s OK. And just because you fail, It doesn’t mean you’re bad at something. You only fail if you don’t try, and you don’t keep trying. If you don’t do either one, THEN you fail. I am doing things now, specifically building guitars, and I NEVER EVER thought I’d be able to do that. And I’ve built guitars for famous musicians too on top of it. If somebody had told me 5 years ago that I’d be building guitars now, I’d tell them they were crazy!

Pricing:

• $50/hour Luthier
• $40/Hour Recording Studio

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/samsaraguitars
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsaraguitars/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samsaraguitars
• Twitter: https://x.com/SamsaraGuitars
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samsaraguitars