{"id":133545,"date":"2022-11-20T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-20T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/?p=133545"},"modified":"2023-05-31T20:10:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T03:10:00","slug":"5-luthiers-30-and-under-share-their-stories-and-talk-shop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/5-luthiers-30-and-under-share-their-stories-and-talk-shop\/","title":{"rendered":"Young at Art: Five Luthiers 30 and Under Share Their Stories and Talk Shop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>For many luthiers, the path into the field is not a straightforward one. It can be a very personal journey, in which an aspiring builder discovers\u2014often through exposure to both music and woodworking\u2014a passion for working with their hands to create a product with both practical and artistic applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, a wide variety of young luthiers have joined the industry and are making names for themselves. We spoke to five promising builders\u2014Brian Itzkin, Oliver Marchant, Eve Meister, Max Spohn, and Olivia Elia\u2014most in their 20s. Here, these artisans share how they became intrigued by lutherie, where they studied it, what materials they prefer to work with, and their personal visions and approaches. Read on to gain insight into what goes into becoming and succeeding as a luthier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brian Itzkin&#8217;s Classical Journey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Brian Itzkin, founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itzkinguitars.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Itzkin Guitars<\/a>, started his lutherie journey when he was barely a teenager in Long Island, New York. He began studying the guitar at the age of eight, and, inspired by his father\u2019s woodshop, made his first acoustic out of a C.F. Martin &amp; Co. kit at just 13 years old. \u201cIt turned out OK,\u201d he says, \u201cI just kept building and getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About a year later, Itzkin began corresponding with the Northern California luthier Ervin Somogyi, and later, after attending two years of college\u2014where he briefly pursued an English degree\u2014he studied with another builder, Stephen Hill, in Granada, Spain, which deepened his love of the classical guitar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Itzkin returned home to New York to build a guitar business, he started working part-time as a bartender to make ends meet. But when pouring drinks started becoming more of a full-time commitment, he decided to drop everything and return to Spain. Itzkin arrived on March 2, 2020, right before Spain\u2019s total Covid lockdown, and ended up staying until September of that year. \u201cIn that timeframe, I built a few guitars, one of which I sold through Siccas Guitars, which is a pretty big dealer in Germany,\u201d he says. \u201cI gained a lot of legitimacy, quite a few orders, and haven\u2019t really looked back since then. For the past two years or so, I\u2019ve been building guitars full-time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Luthier Brian Itzkin at his workbench\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133561\" data-id=\"133561\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2847.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2847.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2847.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2847.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Brian Itzkin at his workbench (photos courtesy of Brian Itzkin)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"814\" alt=\"Luthier Brian Itzkin holding guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133562\" data-id=\"133562\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2820.jpg?resize=750%2C814&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2820.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2820.jpg?resize=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1 276w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2820.jpg?resize=553%2C600&amp;ssl=1 553w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Brian Itzkin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Luthier Brian Itzkin working on a guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133563\" data-id=\"133563\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2790.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2790.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2790.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2790.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Brian Itzkin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Luthier Brian Itzkin working on a guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133564\" data-id=\"133564\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2635.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2635.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2635.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2635.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Brian Itzkin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Guitar top in progress by Luthier Brian Itzkin\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133565\" data-id=\"133565\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2349.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2349.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2349.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_2349.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A Guitar top in progress by Luthier Brian Itzkin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"363\" alt=\"Guitar tonewoods\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133566\" data-id=\"133566\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_1301.jpg?resize=750%2C363&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_1301.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_1301.jpg?resize=300%2C145&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_1301.jpg?resize=600%2C290&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Guitar tonewoods come in many colors<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"Headstock of a guitar from luthier Brian Itzkin\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133567\" data-id=\"133567\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_0829.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_0829.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_0829.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_0829.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Headstock of a guitar from luthier Brian Itzkin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"980\" alt=\"An acoustic guitar made by luthier Brian Itzkin\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133560\" data-id=\"133560\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_4404.jpg?resize=750%2C980&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_4404.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_4404.jpg?resize=230%2C300&amp;ssl=1 230w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_4404.jpg?resize=459%2C600&amp;ssl=1 459w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">An acoustic guitar made by luthier Brian Itzkin <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As a classical maker, Itzkin, who is 26, has been heavily influenced by the pioneering Spanish maker Antonio de Torres (1817\u20131892) and also informed by the lesser-known Vicente Arias (1883\u20131914). \u201cI generally gravitate towards a more 19th-century aesthetic, while melding it with a more contemporary tonal palette,\u201d Itzkin says. \u201cI want my guitars to have a cohesive image where all the individual elements melt into the whole but can be admired from up close. I think they sound pretty good, too. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though he is firmly rooted in traditional aspects like fan bracing\u2014\u201cthings that have worked for 150 years,\u201d he says\u2014Itzkin does sometimes make use of more recent innovations. For instance, he explains, \u201cI\u2019ve been planning out a double-top guitar, with Italian Alpine spruce, an inner layer of Nomex, which is aerospace-grade composite honeycomb material, and another piece of spruce on top.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Itzkin also has a more contemporary take when it comes to tonewood selection. He always uses ethically sourced woods, often working with recycled materials, such as old furniture he\u2019s found in the street. \u201cThere are a lot of blood diamond-esque things in the guitar-making world with the timber we use,\u201d he says. \u201cI don\u2019t really want to be a part of that. Alternative options also tend to be quite a bit cheaper, which I can pass down to the client.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Itzkin\u2019s favorite parts of the guitar-making process is choosing the materials that correspond with a client\u2019s vision, both sonically and aesthetically\u2014that and being in the room when they play the first notes on their new guitar. He\u2019s confident and passionate about each instrument he delivers, but he also knows that there\u2019s always room for improvement. \u201cI think the goalpost is always moving,\u201d he says. \u201cIf I finally found one thing that was perfect and kept making it, it would get boring pretty quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oliver Marchant&#8217;s Triumph Over Adversity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Based in Farnham, a town in Surrey, England, 30-year-old Oliver Marchant of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marchwoodguitars.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marchwood Guitars<\/a> discovered lutherie as a much-needed creative outlet during a difficult time in his youth. In between pursuits of degrees in art and design and photography, he was diagnosed with a chronic illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a long, boring story,\u201d Marchant shares, \u201cbut a few years into it, I was just feeling rudderless and kind of cut down in what should have been the prime of my life. I decided I wanted to find a project and complete it, to help me move on in some way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After discovering a blog written by someone who had built a guitar at their kitchen table, Marchant set out to do the same on a desk in his bedroom, which initially proved difficult. \u201cI got completely obsessed with triumphing and finishing it,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd once you build the first one, it\u2019s pretty difficult not to build the second one, because there are so many different processes to master that you just think, \u2018The next one, I\u2019m going to get it right.\u2019 I still feel like that, seven or eight years on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Luthier Oliver Marchant\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133572\" data-id=\"133572\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0042.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0042.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0042.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0042.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0042.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Oliver Marchant (photos courtesy of Oliver Marchant)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Luthier Oliver Marchant ast workbench\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133571\" data-id=\"133571\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0045.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0045.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0045.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0045.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0045.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Oliver Marchant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Luthier Oliver Marchant\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133575\" data-id=\"133575\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0037-1.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0037-1.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0037-1.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0037-1.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-11-08-22-0037-1.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Oliver Marchant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Luthier Oliver Marchant\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133569\" data-id=\"133569\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-11-21-0011.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-11-21-0011.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-11-21-0011.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-11-21-0011.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-11-21-0011.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Oliver Marchant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Luthier Oliver Marchant\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133577\" data-id=\"133577\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-01-11-21-0013.jpg?resize=678%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-01-11-21-0013.jpg?resize=678%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 678w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-01-11-21-0013.jpg?resize=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1 199w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-01-11-21-0013.jpg?resize=398%2C600&amp;ssl=1 398w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-01-11-21-0013.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Oliver Marchant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Luthier Oliver Marchant\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133570\" data-id=\"133570\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-03-22-0014.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-03-22-0014.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-03-22-0014.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-03-22-0014.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Work-August-2022-30-03-22-0014.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Oliver Marchant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Marchant currently offers an OM model, with dreadnought and 00 designs in development for future builds. He typically likes using walnut for backs and sides and German spruce for tops, and lately has been branching out with unconventional tonewoods, to adjust for increasing costs of materials and decreasing resources. He has been using Fenland oak\u2014naturally blackened by being submerged in a UK bog for thousands of years\u2014for fretboards and bridges. Last year, he built a guitar out of steamed pearwood from a vineyard in France, although he found it difficult to sell, as his clientele tends to have more conservative preferences. \u201cI guess the thing now that has to change is peoples\u2019 buying habits as much as the building,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marchant emphasizes the benefits of having your guitar handmade by an independent luthier, saying that it\u2019s his hope for that awareness to spread. And, expressing gratitude for the amount of support he\u2019s received from the lutherie community, he says it\u2019s a personal goal of his to eventually teach others. \u201cI\u2019ve seen how beneficial craft can be for you mentally and physically, and how it helps you to feel better about yourself and life,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eve Meister: Pushing Boundaries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Eve Meister, proprietor of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/meisterluthiere1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eve Meister Luthi\u00e8re<\/a>, in Montreal, took up the guitar briefly in high school, but felt a much stronger connection with woodworking than she did a passion for playing. \u201cI prefer building stuff in the concrete,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen I was a teenager, I remember looking inside of my guitar and wondering how it works more than actually playing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the desire to leave the small town she grew up in just outside of Montreal, Meister, now 28, studied at a well-established lutherie program in the city, \u00c9cole-Atelier Bruand, from 2011 to 2014. Afterwards, she apprenticed under the luthier Martin Tremblay, also in Montreal, from whom she learned how to restore gypsy jazz and acoustic archtop guitars. She started her own business while working for him, then began doing lutherie full-time in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" alt=\"Luthier Eve Meister holds one of her acoustic guitars\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133578\" data-id=\"133578\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/eve-meister-photo-martin-tremblay-UP.jpg?resize=750%2C750&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/eve-meister-photo-martin-tremblay-UP.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/eve-meister-photo-martin-tremblay-UP.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/eve-meister-photo-martin-tremblay-UP.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/eve-meister-photo-martin-tremblay-UP.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/eve-meister-photo-martin-tremblay-UP.jpg?resize=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1 125w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Eve Meister holds one of her acoustic guitars. Photo: Martin Tremblay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"A black acoustic guitar by luthier Eve Meister\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133579\" data-id=\"133579\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Booboo3_full_1-photo-Vincent-Cle%CC%81roux.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Booboo3_full_1-photo-Vincent-Cle%CC%81roux.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Booboo3_full_1-photo-Vincent-Cle%CC%81roux.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Booboo3_full_1-photo-Vincent-Cle%CC%81roux.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Booboo3_full_1-photo-Vincent-Cle%CC%81roux.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A black acoustic guitar by luthier Eve Meister. Photo: Vincent Cle\u0301roux<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"698\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"A sunburst acoustic guitar by luthier Eve Meister\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133580\" data-id=\"133580\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/booboo-2-photo-Adam-Whaley.jpg?resize=698%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/booboo-2-photo-Adam-Whaley.jpg?resize=698%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 698w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/booboo-2-photo-Adam-Whaley.jpg?resize=204%2C300&amp;ssl=1 204w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/booboo-2-photo-Adam-Whaley.jpg?resize=409%2C600&amp;ssl=1 409w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/booboo-2-photo-Adam-Whaley.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 698px) 100vw, 698px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A sunburst acoustic guitar by luthier Eve Meister. Photo: Adam Whaley<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Meister considers repair work to be the bread and butter of her business, and she does everything from neck resets to refrets to crack and impact repair. She advises any aspiring luthier to do the same, as it can be instructional for guitar making. \u201cRepair work has helped me so much in understanding the geometry of instruments and how they move [when vibrating],\u201d she says. \u201cIt has helped me identify common design flaws as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to building, Meister prefers either mahogany or walnut for backs, sides, and necks, and spruce for tops. She makes one model of her own design, affectionately dubbed \u201cBooboo\u201d\u2014a lighthearted nickname for an early model that stuck\u2014which, with a lower bout of 15 inches and an upper bout of roughly 11.5 inches, is a variation on a 00. \u201cI\u2019m trying to make the best object I can by doing a bit of parametrical design and not just doing a copy, she says. \u201cI try to push the boundaries a bit. And, of course, I want to give the chance to musicians to have good-quality, locally made products for a respectable cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Max Spohn: At Once Modern and Vintage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For 27-year-old Max Spohn of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spohnguitars.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spohn Guitars<\/a>, a path to lutherie fit naturally with his interests. Spohn was always drawn to designing and building things. He started playing guitar at eight, and has a special memory of his father, who was an art teacher, letting him play his handmade acoustic. But it wasn\u2019t until his late teens that Spohn realized his calling as a luthier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During a gap year between high school and university, Spohn was planning on studying industrial design, but became bored with preparing the drawings necessary for the application. Instead, he started modifying his electric guitars. \u201cIt was my mom\u2019s idea that I should think about becoming a luthier,\u201d he says. So Spohn started an internship with German guitar maker Thomas Ochs. After five months working under Ochs, he began studying lutherie at Wests\u00e4chsische Hochschule Markneukirchen, a university for applied science in Saxony, Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Luthier Max Spohn with guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133585\" data-id=\"133585\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/20211013-Gitarre-Max-21-17.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/20211013-Gitarre-Max-21-17.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/20211013-Gitarre-Max-21-17.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/20211013-Gitarre-Max-21-17.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/20211013-Gitarre-Max-21-17.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Max Spohn (photos courtesy of Max Spohn)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Luthier Max Spohn working at bench\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133583\" data-id=\"133583\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04491.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04491.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04491.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04491.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04491.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Max Spohn working at bench<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Luthier Max Spohn with sanding drum\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133584\" data-id=\"133584\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC03403.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC03403.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC03403.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC03403.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC03403.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Max Spohn with sanding drum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Luthier Max Spohn working on bridge\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133582\" data-id=\"133582\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04632.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04632.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04632.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04632.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC04632.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Max Spohn working on bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Luthier Max Spohn\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133581\" data-id=\"133581\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC07873.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC07873.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC07873.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC07873.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSC07873.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Luthier Max Spohn<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Acoustic guitar made by luthier Max Spohn\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133592\" data-id=\"133592\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Gitarren-Max-23-24-110-Bearbeitet.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Gitarren-Max-23-24-110-Bearbeitet.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Gitarren-Max-23-24-110-Bearbeitet.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Gitarren-Max-23-24-110-Bearbeitet.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Gitarren-Max-23-24-110-Bearbeitet.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A guitar by Max Spohn<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite his early work on electric guitars, Spohn knew that he would focus on steel-string acoustics and learn to make them as best as he could. He also knew that if he was going to pursue lutherie, he must be self-employed. \u201cI always wanted to work creatively, and you can\u2019t necessarily do that if you\u2019re working for someone else as a guitar maker. So, I started my own business during the time that I studied.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spohn currently offers four models: 00, OM, dreadnought, and baritone dreadnought. His instruments stand out in part because of the style of his inlays, which are uniquely minimalist and geometric. \u201cI think that you can see that my guitars are different from most others,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spohn believes what makes a good luthier is consistency of quality, and that is his main goal. His building is guided by a vision of combining modern voicing with the feel of vintage instruments. \u201cMany modern guitars are built very heavy, very rigid\u2014at least the sides and the necks\u2014and then have pretty flexible tops and backs. I try to build very lightweight guitars; I don\u2019t want the guitar to be so stiff that I can only feel the top and the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat I like most about the guitar-making process,\u201d he adds, \u201cis that I have so many different tasks to do. It rarely happens that I have to work on the same process on two consecutive days. Usually, I have something different to make each day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Olivia Elia: From Fly Fishing to Guitar Making<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Though Olivia Elia is only 26, a life in lutherie has already been a long and winding road for the California native. \u201cIt\u2019s been like a thousand-piece puzzle that magically came together,\u201d she says, laughing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elia studied fine arts at UCLA, where she specialized in mediums like ceramics and film photography. After college, she taught fly fishing near Mount Shasta, California, at the same time beginning an apprenticeship for making bamboo fly-fishing rods\u2014her first woodworking experience. \u201cBuilding fly-fishing rods is very similar for me to building guitars,\u201d she continues, \u201cbecause in both worlds you\u2019re working to the thousands of an inch and doing very small, focused detail work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After that gig, Elia moved home, to Santa Rosa, California. Eager to build up her skills in woodworking, she accepted a job with ukulele manufacturer Kala Brand Music, where she learned everything about building instruments. She was allowed to use the shop in her spare time, and in 2019 made her first guitar, guided solely by William R. Cumpiano\u2019s <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3UvcxMg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Guitarmaking\u2014Tradition and Technology<\/a><\/em>. \u201cI didn\u2019t know what I was doing,\u201d she admits. \u201cIt was mostly just to attempt a project I had never done before. I think most of what I do in life is because I wanted to learn how to do it. You\u2019re going to learn so much more by doing something than you would by trying to learn about it before doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Guitar luthier Olivia Elian at her workbench\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133588\" data-id=\"133588\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MeBench.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MeBench.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MeBench.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MeBench.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MeBench.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Courtesy of Olivia Elia<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Olivia Elia centering an acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133589\" data-id=\"133589\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Centering.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Centering.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Centering.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Centering.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Centering.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Courtesy of Olivia Elia<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Olivia Elia routing an acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133587\" data-id=\"133587\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Routing.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Routing.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Routing.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Routing.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Routing.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Courtesy of Olivia Elia<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Olivia Elia taping up an acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133586\" data-id=\"133586\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Taping.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Taping.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Taping.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Taping.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Taping.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Courtesy of Olivia Elia<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Olivia Elia binding an acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-133590\" data-id=\"133590\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Binding.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Binding.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Binding.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Binding.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Binding.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Courtesy of Olivia Elia<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Elia now works for one of the premier boutique makers, <a href=\"http:\/\/pktguitars.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Preston Thompson Guitars<\/a>, in Sisters, Oregon. Her main job is constructing bodies, most often using the holy grail combination of Brazilian rosewood and Adirondack spruce. \u201cThat\u2019s my favorite part of the process because you\u2019re going from nothing to something by the end of the day. You have this physical object that you can tap and hear it start to come to life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elia says that her versatile background in the arts, as well as in building fly-fishing rods, informs her guitar making as much as the standard practices of lutherie. \u201cThe instruments that I\u2019ve designed and made are more aesthetically towards being works of art just as much as by how they sound,\u201d she explains. \u201cI like pulling in colors from different places and working with all the lines, which I\u2019m sure everyone considers, but I might just have a different eye for it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bart-Steve-JT.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bart-Steve-JT.jpg?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery\" class=\"wp-image-133594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bart-Steve-JT.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bart-Steve-JT.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bart-Steve-JT.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bart-Steve-JT.jpg?resize=360%2C240&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. Photo: PS Studios<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Sound Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A relatively short time ago, back in the 1960s and \u201970s, there were scant resources for aspiring luthiers in the steel-string world. Most builders were self-taught, learning from publications like<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3gi89B7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <em>The Whole Earth Catalog<\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>and Irving Sloane\u2019s <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3EiL5KE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Classic Guitar Construction<\/a>,<\/em> and through much trial and error. Of course, things are very different these days, with so many great teaching resources available both online and in person, including a number of schools in the United States, a handful of which are listed below. If you are interested in pursuing a path in guitar making, you might reach out to one of these institutions, where many luthiers of note cut their teeth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/americanschooloflutherie.com\" target=\"_blank\">American School of Lutherie<\/a><\/strong>, Portland, Oregon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/galloupguitars.com\" target=\"_blank\">Galloup School of Guitar Building and Repair<\/a><\/strong>, Big Rapids, Michigan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/coloradoschooloflutherie.com\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"coloradoschooloflutherie.com\" target=\"_blank\">Colorado School of Lutherie<\/a><\/strong>, Denver, Colorado.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/nashville.mi.edu\" target=\"_blank\">Musicians Institute Guitar Craft Academy<\/a><\/strong>, Nashville, Tennessee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/roberto-venn.com\" target=\"_blank\">Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery<\/a><\/strong>, Phoenix, Arizona.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/whetstoneschooloflutherie.com\" target=\"_blank\">Whetstone School of Lutherie<\/a><\/strong>, Brattleboro, Vermont.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr><div style=\"display: inline-block; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; margin: -5px 5% 0px 5%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/collections\/back-issues\/products\/no-337-november-december-2022\"><br><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 198px; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/001_337_Cover-150px.jpg?w=1290&#038;ssl=1\"><\/a>\n<p style=\"font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15px 0px;\">This article originally appeared in the <a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/collections\/back-issues\/products\/no-337-november-december-2022\">November\/December 2022<\/a> issue of <em>Acoustic Guitar<\/em> magazine.<\/p>\n<\/div> <br clear=\"all\"><hr>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/products\/acoustic-guitar-care-maintenance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/acoustic-guitar-care-maintenance-lessons.png?resize=600%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"acoustic guitar care &amp; maintenance - keep your guitar in perfect playing condition\" class=\"wp-image-122577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/acoustic-guitar-care-maintenance-lessons.png?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/acoustic-guitar-care-maintenance-lessons.png?resize=300%2C100&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Five promising young luthiers\u2014Brian Itzkin, Oliver Marchant, Eve Meister, Max Spohn, and Olivia Elia\u2014chat about their personal visions and approaches to the craft of building guitars.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":134456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"Five promising young luthiers\u2014Brian Itzkin, Oliver Marchant, Eve Meister, Max Spohn, and Olivia Elia\u2014chat about their personal visions and approaches to the craft of building guitars.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1147],"tags":[1518],"ppma_author":[1572],"class_list":["post-133545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guitarmakers-and-guitarmaking","tag-november-december-2022"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Young-at-Art-Five-Luthiers-30-and-Under-Share-Their-Stories-and-Talk-Shop.jpg?fit=1200%2C386&ssl=1","authors":[{"term_id":1572,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"kate-koenig-contributor","display_name":"Kate Koenig","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/chord-by-chord-E-B..Still-1024x576-1.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/chord-by-chord-E-B..Still-1024x576-1.jpg"},"user_url":"http:\/\/katekoenigmusic.com\/","last_name":"","first_name":"","job_title":"","description":"Kate Koenig is a singer-songwriter, music teacher, and music journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. They have been a regular contributor to <i>Acoustic Guitar<\/i> since 2017."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133545"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":136979,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133545\/revisions\/136979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133545"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=133545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}