Oscar Clinton "Clint" Bear, age 74, of Madison, Indiana, and the son of Oscar Charles "OB" and Norma Louise (Pulliam) Bear, was born December 22, 1949, in Madison, Indiana. He was the grandson of Oscar C. and Mary A Bear and Herman and Zoe Pulliam.

He was united in matrimony to the former Nancy Perry on June 17, 1972 at the First Christian Church in Madison. This union, of fifty two years, was blessed with two daughters, Christi and Sarah.

Clint graduated in 1967 from Madison Consolidated High School and in 1972, from Purdue University, with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He owned and operated Bear's Landscaping and also built many houses, including two for his family. He was a Rural Mail Carrier for many years. Clint also worked for DNV Healthcare as a Physical Environment Surveyor traveling to a number of hospitals across the country. He began building guitars and started OC Bear Guitars 22 years ago. He was in the process of building his 145th guitar before his passing. He had built beautiful guitars for musicians around the country and in Europe. He donated many guitars for local festivals and even for the Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund, raising over $13,000. He was a co-founder of Indiana Fingerstyle Competition and awarded an O.C. Bear guitar to the winner for several years. In 2016, he received an Indiana Artisan Designation from the Indiana Arts Commission. He was honored last year by the Madison Area Arts Alliance with the 2023 Artist of the Year.

He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church where he served as Junior and Senior Warden. He also was a member of the Elks Lodge and EBOR. He had been a member of Habitat for Humanity in years past and enjoyed contributing his building/construction skills to build the houses. When he wasn't working on guitar building, he loved to cook and could make a fantastic gourmet sandwich that was enjoyed by any that were fortunate enough to be around for the plating. He also loved trips to the beach where he fished and basked in the sun. When it was time to relax, he would grab his current book to enjoy. He was a voracious reader!

Clint Bear passed away November 26, 2024 at his residence in Madison, surrounded by his loving family. O.C. Bear Custom Guitars

Clint Bear, Luthier

I started building acoustic guitars in 2001 after almost 35 years of playing, repairing and tinkering with electric and acoustic guitars. My background of 35 years in homebuilding, remodeling, and cabinet making had developed the woodworking skills that I am now applying to Lutherie. Also, growing up in the family jewelry business has enabled me to acquire skills in detail work that can directly apply to guitar making.

I have 6 basic body styles that I use to construct guitars of various woods, scale lengths, depths and bracing designs. I usually have at least 2 or 3 guitars in construction that are available to buy.

I apply elements of both new and old design philosophies to my guitars. The old "Pre-War" Martins and Gibson flattops are true inspirations in the tone and sound they produce as well as the symmetrical beauty they display. I try to incorporate the elements of proven designs into the new guitars that I build. The woods actually dictate what type of guitar they become. No two guitars are ever the same, even if all the factors of size, bracing, and materials are equal. Tone and playability are the main goals I set out to achieve. When my guitars are played, I want the beauty of the music to attain it's full potential.

I prefer to use Bone nut, saddle and bridge pins because I think they transfer string vibration to the top better. Tall, thin scalloped braces glued with fresh, hide glue seem to give better tonal response through the tops.

I have named the different models from the area in southern Indiana , where I live. All of the names are from towns located in Jefferson Co., IN.

Pairing variations of back and side woods with different top woods produce unique sounding guitars. When a preferred style of playing is known ,different woods can be matched to produce the tone and sound that is desired.

I am a member of A.S.I.A. (Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans) and G.A.L (Guild of American Luthiers).

I would like to build a guitar that matches your dream of what your personal guitar should be. Please call, write or email to discuss building your dream guitar. Or, buy one of the models currently being built.