A few intruments I built from scratch... or my memories of being a luthier
In 1995 I took a 3 year class to learn how to build musical instruments. The classes were focussed on violin and guitar construction. I don't know if at the time I was sure I wanted a career in that line of work but one thing is for sure, as a musician I wanted the knowledge.
I wanted to understand instruments so I can play them better, adjust them, modify them and build some for myself.
When you first start you don't go straight to cutting a guitar. You learn about the tools, how to sharpen them, you learn about the wood and then the methodology of building an instrument. First you need tools. Here's a montage. On the left are classic tools for lutherie from hundreds of years ago. On the right are tools I built. The knife and mini plane blades are made from grinding down files to the shape I wanted.
So here's a little line up. The quality of the photos are average, I had to scan them because they are printed photos I developed 20 years ago. There are many instruments that I built which I don't even have photos of.... It's weird to think that now because everybody has a camera on their phone but at the time nobody did.
This a little experiment I did, it's an Oud on the scale of a mandolin:
I did a bunch of guitars (around 10) these are classical but with a baroque look.
Then for awhile I was really into medieval enesembles so I built a Viola de Gamba (alto)
This one is based on a Theorb in the lute family but I took a lot of liberty with it because this is an instrument I built for myself. If you stick around for long enough you might hear it on Steemit...
I wanted to post these images of the intruments I built here as part of my portfolio and as an archival strategy. If you are building musical instruments reach out to me. Even if I am not active in that field now I'm still really interested in the subject and my unconditional love for musical instruments has never faded...
Wow these are incredible! Definitely the only luthier work I've ever seen on steemit. Do you think you'll ever do it again?
Thanks. Yes in the future I have a few idea I want to build. Conceptual musical instruments...I can't wait.
Awesome. Think you'd ever make anything like this?
http://metatonalmusic.com/ModalJI.html
actually yes. I only did acoustic instruments / no electric, so an acoustic version of this, but I am really interested in microtonal tuning. You most know Harry Partch? I highly recommend him as a reference for microtonal composition.
Yeah, I do know Partch! I haven't actually heard any of his compositions, for no other reason than I haven't looked into them yet. I've been really fascinated with microtonal music and different fretting variations on guitar for a while now.
Me too I am fascinated by the subject. I would say one of my conclusion and this is obvious when you think about it: fretless = unlimited microtonal possibility! I also did an experience where I add temporary fret on a normal guitar with metal cable similar diameter to a normal fret. This could be a good way to experiment with that sound without having to buy a custom guitar.
Oh yeah, I don't know if you've seen this guy on youtube, but he offers to give out free frets in person and I think you can order them from him online too. The easy method he uses is just double sided taping these frets on:
The fretless thing is really exciting to me, something I'm currently very fixated on long term is acquiring a fretless guitar and finding a fretless (or possibly even upright?) bassist and writing trio music in an experimental/black metal style. I think it's a different appeal than microtonal frets though, because you get a precision with that that would be difficult to achieve without them. Brendan Byrnes, who I recently wrote a review on, has this band called Ilevens that even play exclusively in 22-EDO:
I have this article where I sort of introduce microtonal concepts to @andybets too that you might find interesting.
yes thanks for all that. I knew about the first video. listen the fretless guitar at 4:50 / that's it microtonal no limit. I will explore the rest later.
Dude! This is amazing. I tried to build an acoustic guitar once. I got about half way through. I didn't have the right tools and I had no knowledge. It looked nothing like yours.
Thanks for checking my post. Yes this is not easy but there is plenty of tricks and secret sauce you can use to build an instrument. If you have any questions feel free to ask I'm sure you can finish your guitar in no time if you decide to. I have plenty of incomplete projects myself at the moment :)
I'd really like to make a Baritone guitar. I've always wanted one. I think it would be perfect for me. I want to be able to get that low B
go for it and keep me posted.
If and when I do you'll know because I'll need your help for sure since you build masterpieces. ;)
Great craftsmanship! Would love to try your instruments someday :)
Thank you. really kind.
That's amazing.
I play guitar and I'm constantly on the lookout for other similar instruments that I can learn to play. I find that with each one that I learn, I improve as a musician.
yes you are correct. There is a few video of me playing many instruments on my blog. thank you for stopping by.
Ooh my goodness, just exquisite! You are one talented man!!!!!!!!
Thank you really nice of you. Doing my best :)
Hhaa, and humble too :)
These are absolutely exquisite. Beyond the basic instruments themselves, the woodcarving and detailing show tremendous skill and patience. You must have had some skill and practice in woodworking before you started these, right? Just to be able to understand and fashion tools like that...
Have you ever build a hurdy-gurdy? I'm obsessed with the sound of them, but from what I've found a good one costs as much as a decent grand piano.
Thanks again. I studied 3 years and I had a shop for 2 years and had no prior experience in related field. This is sample of my work during that period 1995/2000. I had a plan for a hurdy-gurdy in my shop and did consider building one for a longtime but the complexity of the mechanism seems like to much... A band I really like is call Malicorne (strangely enough it sound at time like Richard Dawson, an artist I found out about just minutes ago, but a french version. I mention them because they use this instrument alot.
cool - really liking this, thanks.
Amazing piece, your coloring is impeccable. :) @vachemorte
thank you. really kind!
Nice post my friend I am @djnoel :)
Nice to meet you!
I learn from you! Thanks @vachemorte
I learn from you. about: German Shepherd → @bankhai
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