Gerald Anderson Lutherie Guitar Building School

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Spent last week at guitar building school at The Wayne Henderson School of Appalachian Arts in Marion, VA. The instructors were Josh Reese(Moss Ridge Guitars), Marty Howard(Howard Handcraft LLC) and Spenser Strickland(Strickland String Instruments). It was a “brutal” 6 days ranging from 8.5 to 14 hours in the guitar shop. Now the instruments are in the capable hands of Marty and Spenser for finishing. Class will reconvene in Nov. for final assembly and set up.

Josh, Spenser and Marty

Mahogany back and sides

Red Spruce top (rosette by Marty Howard)

Ebony neck and headstock overlay (inlay by Josh Moss

Packed in the case to be transported to finishing

[Ridgegrass]

That's really something. I'd love to do a repair/set up class. My luthier is a 4 hour drive away and, although he is very good to me, he is very busy and backed up all the time. I can cut a nut or redo a saddle but not much else. I hope it turns out great for you. What a cool thing to be proud of. J.O'.

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Thanks. I am very proud, but must admit the precision work was done by the professionals.

[Ridgegrass]

As it should be. You're learning. J.O'.

[Gtrclktr-351]

That's really something. I'd love to do a repair/set up class.

If you are interested...
https://thehenderson.org/build-a-guitar

It is pricey and they only take 6 students per session. All three of the instructors trained under Wayne Henderson and/or Gerald Anderson.

I am living proof that ANYONE can build a guitar in this workshop.

[eveled]

Very cool! Looking forward to the finished pictures.

[Ridgegrass]

Ditto O'.

[Ridgegrass]

By the way, have you ever read a book called "ERIC CLAPTON"S GUITAR"? It's the saga of Wayne building a guitar for Clapton. Fun reading and a real insight on both men. J.O'.

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By the way, have you ever read a book called "ERIC CLAPTON"S GUITAR"? It's the saga of Wayne building a guitar for Clapton. Fun reading and a real insight on both men. J.O'.

I have read that book. I was impressed that Wayne didn't "bump" Clapton's guitar to the front of his list, but made him wait.
There is also a story (urban legend?-not in the book-heard it in Marion) that Wayne reached out to Clapton to set up a meeting to measure Eric's arms so the guitar could be fitted to him. Eric told Wayne he could come to his shop, but didn't want his reputation to cause a disruption. Wayne told Eric it would be OK, that most people around his shop didn't even know who Eric was and that those who did know didn't like his music.

[Ridgegrass]

Man, that's funny! O'.

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I found a better picture of my guitar, albeit from the backside. Josh was testing the neck fitment before moving along.attachment=0]IMG_2390.png[/attachment]

[Ridgegrass]

Looking good so far.

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I was planning to go with the typical red stain on the mahogany and clear on the red spruce. After wetting the guitar for the first sanding, the mahogany was glowing and the grain in the red(Adirondack)spruce was a close match to the mahogany. I changed plans and am having natural satin finish on the whole guitar. I won’t get to attach the neck and set up my guitar until November.

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Finished assembly yesterday, decided to go with gold Grover tuners. After a professional setup by Josh Reese, it is definitely a sweet sounding OM.

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Finished assembly yesterday, decided to go with gold Grover tuners. After a professional setup by Josh Reese, it is definitely a sweet sounding OM.

Wow! Great work! One of a kind with your label 🏷.

[Ridgegrass]

Nice work. Love to hear it. O'.

[Ridgegrass]

As counterpoint to your brand new guitar, just for fun, here's a 92 year old Gibson L-OO. Built in the depths of the depression in 1932, (dated by the tiny, 5 inch sunburst characteristic of that year.) It cost the small fortune of $25 brand new, and $5 for a case, probably way out of reach for many struggling to feed a family in those hard times. Notice the original catalog page says "14 frets to the body" and the picture shows a 12-fret model. Gibson catalogs are notoriously inaccurate and can't be trusted for dating an instrument.
It's as light as a feather, the top, back, and sides being only .08" thick, it is a phenomenal instrument. Plays like butter and every string is heard in a chord. It was left to me in 1991 by Caleb Linder, who played mandolin with the band for 9 years and sadly, passed at 51 of leukemia. It was his as a boy and I cherish it immensely. I don't play it on stage much, as it isn't a Bluegrass guitar, although it can hold its own. It's tone is better suited to blues and folksy stuff. My finger style and blues buddies love to play it. Jimmy Rodgers and Merle Travis, Josh White and Elizabeth Cotton, Norman Blake and Tony Rice would make it sing.
I was stringing it up and reading your new guitar post and thought you might enjoy seeing it. I'd like to see more pics of your new guitar and how the finish turns out. I hope you enjoy years of great tunes from it. J.O'.

Sorry the pics are sideways, d___ computer! Click on them and they should rotate.

[Gtrclktr-351]

As counterpoint to your brand new guitar, just for fun, here's a 92 year old Gibson L-OO. Built in the depths of the depression in 1932, (dated by the tiny, 5 inch sunburst characteristic of that year.) It cost the small fortune of $25 brand new, and $5 for a case, probably way out of reach for many struggling to feed a family in those hard times. Notice the original catalog page says "14 frets to the body" and the picture shows a 12-fret model. Gibson catalogs are notoriously inaccurate and can't be trusted for dating an instrument.
It's as light as a feather, the top, back, and sides being only .08" thick, it is a phenomenal instrument. Plays like butter and every string is heard in a chord. It was left to me in 1991 by Caleb Linder, who played mandolin with the band for 9 years and sadly, passed at 51 of leukemia. It was his as a boy and I cherish it immensely. I don't play it on stage much, as it isn't a Bluegrass guitar, although it can hold its own. It's tone is better suited to blues and folksy stuff. My finger style and blues buddies love to play it. Jimmy Rodgers and Merle Travis, Josh White and Elizabeth Cotton, Norman Blake and Tony Rice would make it sing.
I was stringing it up and reading your new guitar post and thought you might enjoy seeing it. I'd like to see more pics of your new guitar and how the finish turns out. I hope you enjoy years of great tunes from it. J.O'.

Sorry the pics are sideways, d___ computer! Click on them and they should rotate.

Beautiful old guitar