humble beginnings
Albert Markasky
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I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, where I spent most of my youth playing sports, guitar pickin', and climbing churches throughout my home town. I was 10 when I picked up my first guitar. My father had bought my brother, Gary, and I a ‘10-lesson’ package at the local music store. Gary later moved on to become the guitar player for the Michael Stanley Band while I played in bands, duos, and trios throughout my teen years and into my mid 20's. I loved to sing, write poetry, and play the guitar. After finishing college at Ohio State, I spent the next few years traveling the country and Canada playing concerts, pubs, and coffee houses as a solo entertainer. Throughout those years I became very intrigued with the workings of my guitars and spent many hours trying to understand the mechanics and playability of my instruments. |
When I reached Santa Cruz, I ran into instrument builder, David Morse. After spending time with David and touring his shop I fell in love with the art of guitar building. I began my apprenticeship with David in 1980, building a classical and steel stringed guitar, and also learned to restore and repair a few instruments. Jeff Trauggot came along in 1982, and joined the team.
In 1983, Jeff and I became bosom buddies that loved working with wood and playing music together. We decided to bunk up and rented a one-car garage with a dirt floor on the westside of town. We poured a truck load of wood chips over the dirt, built a couple of work benches, and bought a bandsaw. We worked on our craft while also doing repairs for local musicians to help make ends meet. After several months, Jeff moved on to work for Richard Hoover at the Santa Cruz Guitar Company.
I encountered the word 'Sylvan' in a Shelley poem With a Guitar, To Jane and that the word ‘sylva' in Latin meant wood. I felt that this would be the perfect name for an acoustic instrument store and would adorn the walls with wooden jewels that made musical poetry. And so began the story of Sylvan Music in the downtown of Santa Cruz, California in 1984.
I turned the luthier's den into a music store where I could continue my building, restoring vintage instruments, repairing, and adding on the retail dimension. After 9 years, Sylvan outgrew it's humble beginnings and in 1993, the store was relocated to 1521 Mission Street on the westside of Santa Cruz. Over 30 years have passed and Sylvan has cultivated a reputation of professionalism and quality, including first-rate instrument repairs and restorations. Sylvan has consistently won the ‘Best Music Store’ award in the local papers, as well.
Sylvan Music specializes in high quality guitars, mandolins, ukeleles, banjos, violins, dulcimers, harps, amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories with instruments for every level of player at every price point. We are the exclusive area dealers for world renowned Santa Cruz Guitar Company instruments, as well as James Goodall, George Lowden, Taylor, Larrivee, National ResoPhonic, Duesenberg, Nash, Gretsch, Weber Mandolins, Dusty Strings, Cervantes, Seagull, Norman, Godin, and many more. We have 2 vintage rooms filled with relics that hold the secret sounds of the music past – my favorite rooms to visit. Sylvan also rents a wide variety of stringed, orchestral, and woodwind instruments for students and adults alike.
I can still be found in the back of the store building, repairing, and living the good life of a luthier. I built more than 20 guitars in the 80's and 90’s, then I took a 10-year break to grow my family and a business. Now, I’m reconnecting with my love of guitar construction. I build one a year and I am thoroughly enjoying myself.
-Albert Markasky, Owner/Master Luthier
In 1983, Jeff and I became bosom buddies that loved working with wood and playing music together. We decided to bunk up and rented a one-car garage with a dirt floor on the westside of town. We poured a truck load of wood chips over the dirt, built a couple of work benches, and bought a bandsaw. We worked on our craft while also doing repairs for local musicians to help make ends meet. After several months, Jeff moved on to work for Richard Hoover at the Santa Cruz Guitar Company.
I encountered the word 'Sylvan' in a Shelley poem With a Guitar, To Jane and that the word ‘sylva' in Latin meant wood. I felt that this would be the perfect name for an acoustic instrument store and would adorn the walls with wooden jewels that made musical poetry. And so began the story of Sylvan Music in the downtown of Santa Cruz, California in 1984.
I turned the luthier's den into a music store where I could continue my building, restoring vintage instruments, repairing, and adding on the retail dimension. After 9 years, Sylvan outgrew it's humble beginnings and in 1993, the store was relocated to 1521 Mission Street on the westside of Santa Cruz. Over 30 years have passed and Sylvan has cultivated a reputation of professionalism and quality, including first-rate instrument repairs and restorations. Sylvan has consistently won the ‘Best Music Store’ award in the local papers, as well.
Sylvan Music specializes in high quality guitars, mandolins, ukeleles, banjos, violins, dulcimers, harps, amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories with instruments for every level of player at every price point. We are the exclusive area dealers for world renowned Santa Cruz Guitar Company instruments, as well as James Goodall, George Lowden, Taylor, Larrivee, National ResoPhonic, Duesenberg, Nash, Gretsch, Weber Mandolins, Dusty Strings, Cervantes, Seagull, Norman, Godin, and many more. We have 2 vintage rooms filled with relics that hold the secret sounds of the music past – my favorite rooms to visit. Sylvan also rents a wide variety of stringed, orchestral, and woodwind instruments for students and adults alike.
I can still be found in the back of the store building, repairing, and living the good life of a luthier. I built more than 20 guitars in the 80's and 90’s, then I took a 10-year break to grow my family and a business. Now, I’m reconnecting with my love of guitar construction. I build one a year and I am thoroughly enjoying myself.
-Albert Markasky, Owner/Master Luthier
