Back in the 1990s, when I started my journey building guitars in St. Louis, Missouri, resources for aspiring luthiers were incredibly scarce. The internet as we know it today was still in its infancy, leaving those of us eager to learn the craft heavily reliant on traditional methods. Primarily, this meant searching for knowledge within the pages of Books For Guitar building and instrument making. I fondly remember spending hours in bookstores, those wonderful, almost mythical places now, hoping to unearth some valuable guidance.
My very first guitar project was an archtop, a challenging undertaking to say the least. Fortunately, I discovered Bob Benedetto’s seminal work, Making An Archtop Guitar. This book proved to be an indispensable resource, a true cornerstone for anyone venturing into the intricate world of archtop construction. To this day, I consider it essential reading and a must-have addition to any books for guitar builder’s library focusing on this elegant instrument type.
After several years dedicated to crafting archtops, my career took an interesting turn when a client requested a nylon string guitar. This presented a new and exciting challenge. While I possessed extensive experience playing, owning, and building steel string and archtop guitars, the realm of nylon string instruments was largely uncharted territory for me.
During the crucial design phase of that initial nylon string guitar, I immersed myself in studying and playing as many exceptional examples as possible. However, taking accurate measurements and detailed tracings of instruments that weren’t my own felt risky and far from ideal. I had a general concept in mind, but a nagging feeling persisted that my design lacked a certain crucial element, a robust foundation built upon established principles.
Then, almost serendipitously, I stumbled upon Making Master Guitars. I can’t recall the exact circumstances of its discovery, but this book arrived at precisely the right moment, while I was grappling with the design of that first nylon string guitar. The detailed measurements and meticulous analyses of iconic guitars contained within its pages provided me with the solid reference points I desperately needed. It gave me a tangible and reliable basis upon which to develop the initial iteration of my nylon string design.
Even now, the wealth of information contained in Making Master Guitars serves as a fundamental anchor for practically every new design I undertake, regardless of the specific guitar type. For anyone serious about guitar construction and seeking foundational knowledge, exploring books for guitar building like these is paramount. The enduring lesson I’ve learned is clear: always begin with a deep understanding of the tradition.
