Gaston Forrester knew he wanted to make electric guitars when he was a teenager and built his first one as a high school shop project. After college, he opened a guitar repair shop and started making instruments, about one a month. He often took his creations backstage at concerts, persuading musicians to try his them and listening to their comments. Gaston says he changed his designs "guitar by guitar, until I came up with something the players really liked."
He also researched electric guitar patents. And he came across two names over and over - Leo Fender and Ted McCarty. Gaston contacted McCarty, the creative force behind the Gibson company's Les Paul and Flying V guitars, and McCarty became a mentor, advisor, and friend as Gaston's business blossomed. Today, his company, G - Forrs Guitars, is known for its innovations.
Gaston Forrester brought his personal story of innovation and entrepreneurship to middle-school students at the Museum, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in schools during an "electronic field trip" in November 1996. Through videoconference technology, the students were able to question Gaston about invention and music.