|
William (Bill) Okas – Musician and Luthier Extraordinaire |
|
|
|
 We have all been to music stores and have seen the row upon row of instruments. The selection seems to be almost infinite. Is there really a difference between the playability and sound reproduction of each individual instrument or is it simply the design and dressing that makes one guitar better than the other? The major stringed instrument manufacturers believe that if they flood the market with a plethora of assembly line instruments painted and decorated with flashy designs and trinkets they will capture the musician consumer dollar. For the most part they do.
However, as in every form of human endeavour there are ‘craftsmen’ waiting in the wings prepared to take the time to lovingly construct individual custom made instruments. These are the few entrepre neurial folk who have remained true to their art and craft who satisfy a demand for the ‘individual’ instrument. They have more than enough knowledge and imagination to adjust their art to just about any requirement. Using skill, dexterity and initiative they can take pieces of wood and turn them into the finest works of musical accomplishment.
One such musically endowed and talented individual is fifty-five year old Bill Okos of Summerland Instrument and Luthier on Henry St. Bill, not formally trained in the musical arts, comes from a musical Okanagan Family. Following in the footsteps of father Dave (Mandolin) and mother Annie (Banjo), Bill and his siblings all became amateur musicians playing a variety of instruments. Of the five, only Bill and younger brother Ted have retained their musical interests and both are active musicians in the Okanagan music scene.
Born in Edmonton, raised in Vancouver and Summerland, Bill originally trained then worked as an Automotive Machinist. However, his love of music took him into the music industry where for a time he represented the keyboard company, Roland Canada. Eventually settling into his real love to play his music and tinker with his and other instruments he worked with Oliver Stopsen at Studio 80 Music Store in Penticton. Bill has now been involved as a luthier for the past 25 years and has custom-made guitars that are shipped worldwide. In addition to custom building specific instruments it is the repair and maintenance, tuning-up and finessing instruments that occupies much of his time. A simple examination of his shop jigs and tools indicates that here we have a professional tradesman with a love of his trade.
In addition to being the parent of many an instrument Bill is very much involved in the local music scene where he hosts Rock and Roll jams at Voodoos in Penticton. His most recent ongoing project is working with local Elvis Tribute Artist, Joe Kelso, in an effort to replicate the true Elvis sound. A group of supporting musicians will provide the authentic sounds of the Jordanaires. At this time Bill is canvassing the local area for accomplished musicians who have a special affinity for the Elvis genre. Bill invites anyone interested in the project to give him a call. In addition, if you have an ailing stringed instrument, drop in to see Bill at the Henry St location in Summerland or contact him at 494-9463. |
