About me
Early Woodworking Career
Good to meet you. I'm David Dreifus. I began my woodworking career in 1971, at age 18, as an apprentice to Leo Barthol, a master woodworker in Memphis. I worked with Mr. Leo (as I called him) for the better part of 6 years, including 2 years of running my own business, while also finishing college. He taught me the art of fine furniture building and antique restoration and repair. He was a wonderful teacher and became like a third grandfather for me. He and I remained lifelong friends until his death in 1993 at age 85. There's an early picture of Mr. Barthol and me in his shop just below.
The Middle Years
In 1977 I went to law school and practiced law for 40 years, but never stopped doing fine woodworking, which was always my first love. I built my first guitar in 1997 and built four guitars over the next several years. I took a break in 2002 because of the demands of my law practice. I retired in 2020 and have returned to my love of building guitars as my primary occupation.
Music
I've played guitar since I was 14. As a musician, I primarily play acoustic music. In 2010 I started, played rhythm guitar in, and managed the 11-piece Rock and Roll, Motown and Soul band, 'Instruments of Justice,' until 2022. I now play in an Americana acoustic trio called 'Too Many Cases' with two members of my former rock band. There are pictures of both bands below.
At the beginning of the Covid pandemic, I felt compelled to put something beautiful into the world, so I walked to the end of my driveway and played 3 songs for my neighbors. I continued to play 3-4 songs for my neighbors almost every night from April 2020 until June 2021, which helped us create a great community from the ashes of the lockdown. There is a picture of me playing during the pandemic at the bottom of this page.
Mr. Barthol and me in his shop in the 1970s - he was a great teacher and friend
Instruments of Justice rocking the house
too many cases
i played for my neighbors during the pandemic EVERY night from april 2020 to june 2021 (if it was above 60 degrees and not raining)
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