Clients and Testimonials
Many of these clients have their own websites which can be found by visiting the LINKS page.
“Recently I got to play all but one of the arch tops in the ‘Blue Collection’ of Scott Chinery, and the quality was surprisingly high. Of those that I played, the out and out best was the one made by Steve Grimes in Hawaii. The two guitars he made for me are wonderful instruments.” - John Pearse - posting to acoustic guitar newsgroup. (Beamer, Jazz Nouveau)
CUSTOMERS INCLUDE:
COMMENTS
“Steve, thanks so much for the guitar! Its the f_ _ _ing Steinway Grande of arch top guitars!”."- Bob Bangerter (Jazz Laureate)
“Thanks! You’ve created my dream guitar! The ‘OM’ size Beamer is way better than my expectations. The design, materials, execution, finish, set up....all score a 10+! “ - Larry Fineman.
“I truly love my new guitar! Its really beautiful and its going to be spectacular for recording. Its taking me to some wonderful new places and I am most appreciative of this great instrument!.” - Keola Beamer
“Steve, the guitar arrived safe and sound. It is absolutely stunning! Everything about it is more than I could have hoped for. The sound, look and feel of this guitar are great, but it is particularly the sound that is so enticing! It resonates in a way unlike any other instrument I own.” - Stephen Sano, Dept. of Music, Stanford University (“OM” size Beamer model)
“What a great guitar! It has that incredible richness that makes it wonderful for recording. The harmonics are great, and even the double octave false harmonics are there. I don’t know if you could make it any better." - Larry Coryell (Jazz Laureate)
“For me, this guitar was like finding the holy grail of tone, combined with master workmanship, the best I’ve ever heard and seen. Having a couple of your guitars I expected nothing short of amazing, but itīs always nice when you exceed customers expectations.
Fantastic guitar-thanks!!" - Lars Hallbäck , Skara, Sweden (Jazz Laureate)
“Stephen, thanks you so much for the Montreux guitar. It is so incredible loud and sweet that I wanted. Its makes for me very happy that I play it.” - Naoyuki Ogawa, Tokyo
“Your craftmanship is wonderful and I appreciate how you followed my order to a "t". The guitar plays and sounds wonderful. The koa is the most beautiful I've ever seen.” - Jonathan Zeko
“First of all,congratulations on a job well done. The Jazz Nouveau made every thing else I own look & sound like stage props,lots of lacquer, etc I'm considering a flat top now,how about it?” - Lulu Santos, Brazil
“The guitar you made for me is the only one I play now. My other guitars are sweet instruments, but do not have the range of the Grimes doublehole. Thanks!!.” - Michael Sandy, Bankok/ Thailand
“The Laureate has a strong resonance and ringing characteristics without a trace of harshness." - Scott Chinery
“The ‘Grimes’ possesses an almost unattainable combination of brilliance,power, sweetness and balance, while never being brash or harsh." - Wayne
Wesley Johnson
George Benson in the Studio 
Keola Beamer
Larry Coryell, at the Bottom Line
NYC, with LC Model
(click image to enlarge)
Willie Nelson in Concert
Pat Simmons
Leo Kottke - with the Jazz Nouveau in the studio
George Benson Playing Blue Jazz Laureate
Barry Flanagan with a Beamer Steel String
Larry Coryell with the Grimes designed Cort
"Larry Coryell" model
The Grimes ‘Jazz Laureate’ guitar recently had a year long exhibition in the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. as part of the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the arch top guitar.
Member of the Guild of American Luthiers since 1976.
Member of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.) since inception, 1988.