Music fanatics Bruce Bennett and Kevin Maxfield now have the boost they need to take Bennett-Maxfield Music Inc. global through a $13,500 MakeWork grant by CreateHere.
“We understood the (music industry) from a business aspect, not just the artist aspect,” said Bennett, who believes Maxfield’s business savvy helped him earn the grant. “What we were trying to do was make the leap from artists to full-blown manufacturers.”
The pair, who professionally joined forces in 2007, have focused their efforts mainly on producing and designing electronic music equipment and have already used the grant money to buy equipment that will amp up the production of their custom-made guitars.
Bruce Bennett, right, was awarded a MakeWork grant by CreateHere to purchase equipment that will help he and business partner Kevin Maxfield, left, produce custom made guitars more efficiently.
“There are a lot of tasks that don’t require the artist’s touch,” said Bennett in reference to processes such as sawing and sanding.
“(The new equipment) gives us the time to do the more artistic things that are necessary,” he said, indicating inlay and sculptural work.
Bennett and Maxfield are paying particular attention to their J. Backlund Designs line of guitars which are created by South Dakota designer John Backlund. Bennett said Backlund’s designs, which have a “retro-futuristic” feel, will appeal to many musicians who have been looking for alternatives to the standard electric guitars that are built according to designs created in the 1950s.
“We felt like we had the opportunity to drag guitar design kicking and screaming into the 21st century,” said Bennett, who is charmed by Backlund’s hotrod style which he said is reminiscent of the chrome of the 1950s and space-age devices dreamed up during the 1960s. “John has taken an everyday item and pulled it into the future in a way that is doable.”
Bennett and Maxfield have purchased a table saw, planer, dust collection equipment and downdraft sanding tables with the grant. Bennett is also in the process of building a fret slotting saw that he designed.
“We’re excited to flip the switch and make lots of sawdust,” said Bennett.
The business partners said that their ultimate goal is to one day assemble a team of about five master luthiers and move into a space where tourists may come and watch guitars being built.
“They will be truly heirloom,” said Bennett, who called himself a firm believer in the power of trends in American music. “The world looks to America to lead the way in new designs.”
Bennett-Maxfield Music is located in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Business Development Center on Cherokee Boulevard. For more information, visit www.bennett-maxfieldmusic.com.
