Official Luthiers Forum!

It is finally here. I have just completed the DVD that shows my method of building a classical guitar. It has tons of pictures and step by step audio instructions that will take you from start to finish and show you how to build your own classical guitar.
For info and testimonials about the DVD check out my site: www.obrienguitars.com

Looks like a real professional job. Can't wait to give it a go. My pre-order is already on its way.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Thanks for the vote of confidence Don! I am sure you will like the DVD. All of the feedback has been very positive so far.

I know will be getting mine and have looked forward to a long time.

I was waffling a little on whether or not to order but then I saw that you are a turner and I was hooked . Turners are a special breed and should be nurtured. Did I mention that I'm a turner?    

I'm glad you started with building a classical guitar. After all, they are the only guitars worth building!

My pre-order has been placed and I'm axious to get it and get started. Thanks for providing one more resource for those of us who are just getting started in what I consider the woodworkers highest art.

Regards, Steve Brown

Thanks for the kind words. You are going to enjoy the DVD and someone like you will really enjoy the humor I put in the audio.

Robbie,
Who is eric Howell?

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Do you cover French Polish on the DVD? I know you offer it as an option. Also, I noticed that you make your necks from Cedar. I hadn't seen it used for necks until I bought my present guitar, A G.V. Rubio. I was blown away by the difference in weight and the way the guitar sits when the neck is lightened. I plan to use cedar on my first guitars for just this reason. I should mention that I have been a woodworker for about 30 years so I am familiar with the working properties of most woods as I have always had an affinity for the more exotic woods. I visited Tim McKnight (another forum member)a couple of weeks ago and he seemed surprised at the choice of neck materials. I mention this because there seem to be so many small differences (other than the obvious) between steel and classical. I'm constantly amazed at this.

Regardfs, Steve Brown

Hey Robbie,

It looks like you did a great job on your DVD. I just put my pre-order in. I can't wait to see some new techniques for some of my trouble spots.

Cheers!

John

Dave,

Eric Howell is the technical guru behind the project. He took my classical guitar building class and liked it so much he asked me if I would be interested in documenting the class. From this the idea of the DVD was born. He is the CEO of Apprentice Publishing.

Steve,

I do not cover French Polishing in the DVD. There are so many good books, vidoes DVD's etc available on the subject of finishing that if I wanted to cover finishing in any detail I would need to do a whole other DVD. I show a simple lacquer finish on the DVD that allows the wood grain texture to still show through. It is user friendly and for the first time builder is sufficient. I mention this forum on the DVD as a source for all those interested in learning more about finishes. In the resources section of the DVD I mention and give supplier info about a catalyzed urethane I use on my personal guitars for high gloss finishes. If anyone is interested I could explain how I use this product and give my finishing schedule, which by the way, takes a max of five days only from start to finish.
On my steel string version DVD I show a finish using z-poxy for pore filling and then lacquer rubbed out to a satin finish. Also a very user friendly finish.    

Steve, I forgot to mention the cedar I use for my necks in my last post. I use a Brazilian cedar called CEDRO ROSA. It is similar to cuban mahogany or Spanish cedar but the rally good stuff is kind of red like a dark piece of mahogany. It has a really nice aromatic smell to it and it is super light and stable. It is also easily carved, unlike mahogany. I also use the same wood for all of my kerfing and back bracing in my guitars. My guitars have a very nice smell to them because of this wood. The drawback is that it is becoming scarce and I hear it is the next wood that the Brazilian government is going to band. Everytime I visit Brazil I bring some back. Last time I was there all the warehouses were full of Brazilian mahogany that had already been banned and couldn't be sold anymore.      

Thanks John,
I think you will be surprised and how easy it can be to build a classical guitar. I dymistify the process from start to finish and use some very simple techniques that I think you will enjoy.