construction

Construction of a
Classical Guitar

There are nearly as many ways to build a guitar as there are people who build them. From the purists that will only use hand tool and specific woods, to those that employ computer driven tools and high tech composite materials. All can justify their approach to lutherie. Whether it be for speed and repeatability in production, dedication to the traditional craft methods, or experimentation, the goal of all is to produce the best instrument in their own vision.

For me, I have no aversion to modern methods where they are practical and can produce a better result. If my scroll saw can cut the head crest straight and true better than I can with a hand saw, then it's fine with me. I will not, however, relinquish the task to a computer drive device. I enjoy the feel of the wood as it passes through the tool as well as when the tool passes through the wood. I have no desire to stand back and watch a machine execute a program. As for materials I am pretty much a traditionalist. I don't believe that any adhesive other than hide glue is an abomination, but I'm not about to build an instrument with a graphite soundboard. In my opinion, the best instrument both aesthetically and acoustically are still built with traditional methods and materials.

This page is a pictoral history of the methods and materials use in building of my classical guitar Number One...