By MARIA MORTENSEN
I found Jereme Clingan on a Friday night, in his curious little guitar and amplifier workshop on the corner of Johnston and Hoddle streets, Collingwood. His space – Clingan Guitar Tone – was astonishing with its old-fashioned atmosphere and beautiful instruments.
Staying true to his favourite period in musical history, the 1950s and 1960s, Jereme's workshop seemed like a pocket in time and a much-needed contrast to the multinational companies everywhere and the way we outsource our time. I chose to photograph in black and white, and use stage-like harsh lighting, to reference concert-photography of the '60s and '70s, and to reflect that feeling of his workshop.
1 – Jereme Clingan at the counter: Jereme Clingan is the owner of low-key guitar workshop in Collingwood, Melbourne. In three years, the workshop has gone from a modest makeshift space to a profitable business solely through word-of-mouth from satisfied musicians.
2 – Guitars on display: Jereme specialises in handcrafted guitars grounded in old-school techniques of the 1950s and 1960s.
3 – Gibson Les Paul: The Gibson Les Paul Deluxe is the workshop's most expensive guitar, priced at $4500.
4 - Portrait: Jereme works six days a week, from 7am to 7pm.
5 - Saw: Often the guitars are stripped all the way down to the wood, to ensure the best sound and timbre possible.
6 – Broken amplifier: Jereme works with amplifiers if necessary, but it is the craftsmanship of fine woodworking that holds his passion.
7 - Workstation: Jereme picked up his first guitar 18 years ago. While playing local gigs, he became interested in the mechanics of guitars and amplifiers. Combined with his ability in woodworking techniques, that led him to start creating unique pieces for his friends and family.
8 - Stringing: Musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green and B.B. King have influenced Jereme’s approach to his music and his craft.
9 – Stripped guitar: Each individual guitar or repair is tailored to meet the specific customer's taste and style. Jereme tries to get the different orders finished in a steady flow, as there are always new guitars waiting to be repaired.
10 – Time clock: The old-fashioned time clock was one of the first things Jereme bought for the workshop.
