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Greg Curbow passed away

#64
I remember a while back looking in a music store near my home, and they had a selection of Cort instruments. There were 3 together that very much stood out. The owner noticed me looking at them, and promptly announced "They are Curbows!"... much in the same way an art collector might say "It's a Picasso!". It was my first introduction to the name, and to the concept of a crossover between boutique and production design. That moment, and the look, feel, and sound of those basses, has remained etched in my memory. Certainly the spirit of the designer was reflected even in these production-level instruments... I've never owned nor held an actual custom bass from Curbow's hands, yet I can certainly imagine the effort and love that went into them.

My thoughts are with the family, and I hope they can take some small solace in the notion that Greg's spirit lives on in the many instruments that are now even more cherished, if that is possible.

- Zach
 
#66
Thanks Ken! Greg is a very powerful spirit and was a very persistent person and we believed he would beat the odds of the brain tumor. Shortly before his death, he emphasized that he wants us to keep on with the business of building and especially the school. We have a fine luthier Doug Somervell who will build and teach. The next class starts September 12. It is with out a doubt destined to be the top school in The US! Help spread the word that Greg may be out of town but Curbow is alive and his "baby" (the way he built instruments, his dedication to players and the desire to nourish the next generation of luthiers) is in business. Thanks to all for your condolences! Greg's wife: Margaret Curbow

KSB - Ken Smith said:
I returned from lunch yesterday with an Email from Joel at the Groove Shop. As soon as I read the title I thought the worst "Sad news, Greg Curbow". I read this post from a link and was deeply saddened. With me was Harold Goode, Marcus Millers Producer and he was shocked when thinking how young he was.

Greg and I were neighbors side by side at one of the Nashville Namm shows a few years ago. He was such a nice guy to meet for the first time and what a true gentleman he was. When he was starting his building School his wife called me as he needed industry recommendations for his License from the State. I wrote a nice Endorsement for him and wished them the best.

Another young builder of less fame, Joe Compito also died very young and suddenly a few years back. I had also re-met him in Nashville. Joe was one of my Bass Students when I played in NY and taught privately in the 70s and 80s. Victor Wooten, a mutual friend of ours delivered the bad news.

Greg’s' work will live on as he will be remembered as one of the great Luthiers and Innovators of our time......Peace..
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#67
Horrible news. :^(

I was at his shop not two months ago, talking to him about setting up a music education program. He looked like he felt terrible, but still managed to be one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and to top it off, he built some amazing stuff.

RIP, man.

-Joseph
 
#68
bassmonkeee said:
Wow. I just checked my email for the first time since yesterday morning and got the news.

I knew Greg for about 17 years, but unfortunately, I fell out of touch with him the last year and a half after my mom passed away.

A couple of quick Greg Curbow stories for those who didn't know him:

He was also a great person who would bend over backwards to help a guy out--almost to a fault. I got my first bass from him back when I was a junior in high school (1988) when I saw it hanging on a hook in Blue Rock Music in Kennesaw where Greg would drive every Saturday to do set up work. I gave him $65 (the entire contents of my wallet), and he told me, "Take the bass home, and pay me when you can." Not many people would do that with a custom handbuilt instrument, and he did it for a teenager. That's a pretty special memory for me.

I remember driving from UGA to his apartment in Atlanta a couple of years later so he could make a tracing of my bass since someone wanted one like it and there was no template.

One of my favorite memories of Greg is from a couple of years ago when his band, Rooster (it might have been the pre-Rooster band), got together for a reunion gig at 9 Lives in Little Five Points. They had no set list, and hadn't practiced, but they had plenty of beer, so it was all good. They put on a great show--Greg was more than filling the bottom with his beat-to-hell 70s Jazz Bass. He was a big mountain man in person, but he looked even bigger on that little stage. Of course, his taking off his bass and repeatedly smashing it into the stage certainly helped give him a wild appearance, too. :D

He was never afraid of trying something out just to see what would happen, and he made some pretty damn amazing instruments as a result.

Rest in Peace, Greg. You were one in a million.
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thanks for that Jason...i remember him telling me stories like that when we were discussing how we could put together a curbow shaped somewhat like a b.c. rich ignitor...he thought it was a pretty hot idea, but i ended up not getting promoted that year and i wasn't able to follow through with having it built...i think i'm going to have it built anyway, though it won't be greg cutting it up and putting it together
 
#69
Planet Boulder said:
I was so sorry to hear about this today. I spoke with Greg a few years ago at length about a used Curbow I had purchased (one of the first ones he had built in the 80s, with his dad). He was an extremely personable guy and his basses are amazing.

to say that he will be missed would be to woefully understate the situation.

RIP, Greg - my thoughts go out to his family.
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I bought that bass from PB and it was one of the coolest, well built and funkiest basses I'd ever owned. Not just function, but great Form as well.

His work and spirit will live on in his basses and those whose lives he thouched.

RIP Greg - bring the Thunder to the Heavens :)
 
#73
I would just like to Say that Greg was always a peaceful Spirit and very open minded(his instruments says that)and someone I considered a friend.I am saddened by this and will always have nice,fond and peacfull memories of a very special being,my Heart goes out to all his Loved ones.
 
#79
This is very sad news.

In the several times I ran into him at NAMM, I always came away with the impression that he was an honest, hardworking craftsman. He was always willing to talk shop and never held back any secrets.

I'd always admired his talent and eye for design.

My heart goes out to his family, friends and co-workers as they deal with his loss.

Sheldon Dingwall
 
#80
Funniest thing I remember about Greg: He wanted me to call him about a specific bass, and we ended up talking about each other's mothers for about 10 minutes. Then we talked about everything under the sun other than except that bass! Even at the Atlanta GTG, we had more fun trading barbs that me playing that AMAZING Jazz 6 he'd built.
 

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