It has been a very busy week at O'Brien Guitars! This week I hosted my annual two day steel string voicing class, my two day classical voicing class, as well as my two day French polish class. Every year about this time I offer these classes and they are always very popular. In the voicing classes the students show up with two or three tops that they have joined but not thicknessed. Here in the class they learn how to evaluate tops and then choose one to work with. We then thickness, brace and "voice" the top. The students can then use that top on a guitar or use it as a reference for future tops they make.
The French polish class teaches students how to apply shellac using my modern approach to French polish. We also learn antiquing and sizing techniques using egg whites and hide glue as well as how to use colored shellac finishes.
These classes are a great way to learn steps that can be problematic for those building their own instruments. Whether you choose to take just one of the classes or all three you will learn a lot and advance years on the lutherie learning curve. Next year's classes are scheduled for May 31 - June 1 (steel string voicing), June 2-3 (classical voicing), and June 4-5 (French polish). These classes are very popular and fill quickly. Contact me if you want to participate in next year's classes.
If you are unable to attend a class in person then get my online courses on the subjects.
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