Wayne "The Handsome Liar" O'Connor began playing guitar religiously at ten years of age, built his first guitar by thirteen. With the help and encouragement from his beloved Parents Madeline and Bill, Tutoridge by his "Guru Hippy" Record Collecting, harmonica player/singer/performer older brother, James "The Animal" O'Connor, his musical education began! For the next 45 odd years, through various career adventures and interests, from building/modifying drag racing engines/ restoring Vintage Muscle Cars, and Custom rigid framed Harley Davidson Motorcycles, to working as a Graphic Artist, Cabinetmaker of Early American Furniture reproductions, and Luthier at FBass, he continued to practice, jam, tour and record with as many musicians as possible. Studied technical engineering/computer design at College and learned/taught ASL sign language while doing a five year stint at a Sheltered Work Shop for the Handicap...
...with a number of years spent at Fbass/The Guitar Clinic in Hamilton On., things soon morphed into a full time gig studying as a Luthier for the "F" Bass's Custom Workshop of George Furlenetto. Along side George, Dave Fox and Mike Spicer, a great many years of experience and wisdom were graciously shared. The next few years brought the realization "This is the gig of all gigs!". Having the opportunity to build/modify and repair instruments for Artists Alain Coran (UZEB), Will Lee (David Letterman Band), Marcus Miller and Willy Weeks, Colin Cripps(JunkHouse, Kathleen Edwards, Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy band), Bill Dillon (Robbie Robertson, Sarah McLachlan, The Diviners) Garnet Rogers and many other World Class Musicians, came the confidence to pursue the continued research and development into the design and production of his own line of unique, high quality musical instruments.
Wayne's "Cranium Divine" Electric/Acoustic and Bass Guitars are fine examples of Design, Quality Craftsmanship and outstanding Performance. His original designs are inspired by classic American Gibsons, Martins, Fenders, and Nationals. His attention to detail and demand for performance is in part a reflection of his 45+ years as a professional musician and Craftsman.
The Handsome Liar has produced/played and toured with a number of musical projects over the years, including: Dolores O'Riordan, The Cranberries, Wille Harold and Out On Bail, Logan Murry and The Spoon Liqueurs, Al Black and The Steady Band, Pat Temple and The Hi-Lo Players, Kevin Carly and The Handsome Liars, Jeff Heally, Dennis O'Toole, Jude Waldman Fifth Wheel, Allias, The PsychoBillies, Savage Steel, Rampage, etc.
Royden Moran is a professional architect who cashed in his set square (but not his computer) in order to build fine acoustic and electric guitars. After 18 years in architecture, 10 as Chief architect for Greer Galloway, he resigned, took the summer of 1996 off, and traveled to Big Rapids Michigan to study guitar repair and construction at Bryan Galloup's Guitar Hospital . Back from Michigan in the fall of 1996 and ready to just do it, he was introduced to Wayne through a mutual friend, local musician John Crown. The rest is history.
Dave Fox
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