Vintage Guitar - February 2017 - Open - 80
"ART FOR ART'S SAKE." The expression is common. But how often is it practiced? ■ In a basement studio on Chicago's North Side, Carl Johnson epitomized the maxim while building archtop guitars bearing the Albanus brand from the 1950s until the '70s. Rather than seek fame or fortune, Johnson was content to live modestly and draw pleasure watching people play his instruments, including professionals Fred Rundquist, Johnny Gray, Pat Ferreri, Ron Steele, Jack Cecchini, Bobby Roberts, Earl Backus, and Dick Curtis. BY JA M E S W. L E CK IN G E R VINTAGE GUITAR 80 February 2017 Today, many compare the sound and quality of Johnson's guitars to those of D'Angelico, yet little is known of his life or craftsmanship. Born Carl Albanus Johannson on December 18, 1892, his family lived in Fjallbacka, a fishing village in Sweden. Known for its herring industry, a periodic shortage may have caused the family to move inland to Barfendal by the time Carl's last sibling was born in 1900. Between 1910 and 1922, Johnson immigrated to the United States and settled in Akron, Ohio. On October 2, 1923, he married Maria Therese Kjellson. Their marriage license says Carl was employed by Mason Tire and Rubber. The ensuing six years included a move to Carl Johnson photo courtesy of Wade Thames. Carl Johnson examines a violin in his workshop.
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