by Mike Rosso Although he professes to be “just a toolmaker,” Salida-based luthier Jeff Bamburg is hand-crafting some of the finest steel-string guitars in North America. A builder for just ten years, his instruments are garnishing high praise from around the U.S. and the world. Bamburg first caught the guitar bug while listening to recordings of finger-style guitar pickers such as Leo Kottke. “I wanted to play guitar, I liked finger-style guitar music, it was kind of my first love.” He was particularly inspired by the flat-picking instrumental by the late John Denver: Late Winter, Early Spring. “About 15-16 years ...