A Bashkin guitar – from scratch

[jmagill]

Michael Bashkin is a good friend, and we get together for coffee every time he comes east to visit family. During a recent conversation, he said that StewMac had approached him about filming his entire process, from wood selection to the finished guitar.

He sent me the link to the video, and for all of us guitar geeks, it is an absolutely fascinating and absorbing look at all the details that go into making a world-class instrument.

I can't imagine how cumbersome it must have been to be building an instrument over months, with multiple cameras and crew crowding the shop and zooming in close to capture every single procedure of the build.

Jazz great Sean McGowan provides the soundtrack, and towards the end we find that he's been playing the guitar being built by Michael in the video. Very cool.

It's nearly two hours long, but completely engrossing to watch every step in turning lumber into something magnificent. If you do decide to watch, be sure you hang in there to the end. Trust me, it will be worth it.

[sinistral]

That’s a great video. Someone posted a link to it a couple of months ago, here. As I mentioned in that thread, I like that he’s wearing a Maegen Wells sweatshirt. In addition to being a top luthier, his Luthier on Luthier podcasts are excellent.

[Deliberate1]

That is a really cool video. I am awaiting delivery of my first custom guitar. While I knew there was a lot that goes into each of the myriad steps in the building process, to see it all gives me a new-found appreciation for the artistry.

I have long admired Mr. Bashkin's guitars. And, given this video, I would have to strongly consider him for my next build, if for no other reason than his remarkable expediency. I mean, I could order a guitar in the morning, and he could have it completed in just over one hour and 48 minutes. I could pick it up that afternoon, after mowing my lawn, which takes twice as long.

David

[colins]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

That is a really cool video. I am awaiting delivery of my first custom guitar. While I knew there was a lot that goes into each of the myriad steps in the building process, to see it all gives me a new-found appreciation for the artistry.

I have long admired Mr. Bashkin's guitars. And, given this video, I would have to strongly consider him for my next build, if for no other reason than his remarkable expediency. I mean, I could order a guitar in the morning, and he could have it completed in just over one hour and 48 minutes. It could pick it up that afternoon, after mowing my lawn, which takes twice as long.

David

Ha ha! But don't forget his wait list, which can stretch out to a day or more .

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by colins

Ha ha! But don't forget his wait list, which can stretch out to a day or more .

Hmmm....OK. I'm out. Dang. I need a custom-built by tea time.

David

[Neil K Walk]

I've watched that video once, marked it as a favorite and have rewatched several parts during the course of my own current build. I've always admired Michael's inlays but like the thought work behind his jigs, particularly his method of establishing the body center line.

[jmagill]

Michael used me as a sounding board when he was developing his 00 body size. This is one of his first 00s, from 2009. He once told me he kept a drawing of his headstock template tacked up over his work bench for months so he could see it fresh every morning, because he worried that it might be a fraction of an inch too long.

There is no aspect of his guitars or his building process that he hasn't thought deeply about.
.

[iim7V7IM7]

Over the last 6-years, I have become friends with Michael, first through a commission, a visit to his Fort Collins Shop and through continued communications. Because of my background in design and our friendship, Michael occasionally uses me as a sounding board to critique new decorative ideas on his drawing board.

As Jim said, Michael thinks deeply about all aspects of the design and construction of his instruments. This StewMac documentary provides insight to others about what goes into each guitar coming off his bench and I dod suggest people watch it.

I also have one of his "The 00" models (my 2018 Koa/Swiss Spruce is shown below). Thanks for helping him go that direction...

[SColumbusSt]

I finally carved out two hours this afternoon and it was time well spent. What a wonderful video. Thanks for the heads up!

[BlueBowman]

Is that our very own Larry (ljguitar) playing throughout the video? If so, great playing! And quite the variety of styles, too. Wonderful build video

[Aviacs]

He sent me the link to the video, and for all of us guitar geeks, it is an absolutely fascinating and absorbing look at all the details that go into making a world-class instrument.

Wow!
What a treat!
Thank you for posting that.
Very inspiring and totally informative.
His matter of fact approach (after 25 years experience, of course) nonetheless almost makes most of the process seem accessible to mortals.

It answered a whole bunch of basic questions, and there are more i want to review a few more times. Just stuff like i wondered "is it ok to prep plates with a widebelt sander?" Love that his primary plane is a Stanley #60-1/2. My all time favorite factory sourced plane. I've worn a few new blades (irons) out on that model as a millwork manufacturer/fitter/installer & furniture maker.

Also fascinated by the color of the pau ferro - i've used it & still have a few boards left from 100+ BF of 8/4 material. Nothing that wide that is vertical grain, though. Which seems essential for an instrument - PF T/R shrinkage is one of the worst at 2.4 & it can certainly be a brash wood.

It is really a remarkable video, almost perfectly considered and filmed from an instructional perspective, and what great generosity on the maker's part!

smt

[jmagill]

Originally Posted by BlueBowman

Is that our very own Larry (ljguitar) playing throughout the video? If so, great playing! And quite the variety of styles, too. Wonderful build video

The guitarist on the soundtrack is jazz great Sean McGowan, who is a music professor at the University of Colorado, Denver, a performer, and a contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine, who is based near Michael's shop in Fort Collins. Sean has been an instructor at the Swannanoa Gathering's Guitar Week for many years.
.

[BlueBowman]

Thank you, Jim! My apologies to Sean. I looked everywhere in the video and below the caption, but couldn't find a name. I was impressed by the playing, so I thought I'd shout out the player. Glad you found the name

[jmagill]

Sean is the guy you see toward the end of the video playing the very guitar we've just watched being built, with Michael standing there listening appreciatively.
.

[Zandit75]

I've watched that video many times, as well as the ones from Goodall and Greenfield guitars.
It's a very easy way to waste away an afternoon.