Since 2008, I’ve been building all kinds of stringed instruments: electric guitars, steel-strings, basses, ukuleles; though only a handful leave my workshop each year, depending on how much time I dedicate to this craft.
This approach allows me to fully focus on each instrument, giving it the expertise, attention, and care it deserves, and infusing it with a style that reflects who I am. I hope you’ll enjoy them too… 😉
In 2022, my attention shifted toward the classical guitar. I’ve grown particularly fond of the traditional construction method using a solera! Moreover, the advances in understanding and mathematically modeling guitars over the past 10–15 years (see Ervin Somogyi and Trevor Gore) now allow me, humbly, to better shape the sonic outcome of my instruments. In essence, tradition and modern knowledge are at the heart of my work.
The finish on my classical guitars is a shellac-based varnish applied using a traditional hand-rubbed method. It offers many advantages, though it does require a few precautions to avoid mishaps…
Shellac is a natural resin dissolved in alcohol, derived from the refined secretion of an insect (Kerria Lacca). This extremely thin finish protects the wood from moderate chemical exposure—water, grease marks, etc.—but not from alcohol! It’s also delicate and won’t shield the wood from impacts or scratches.
The beauty of this finish lies in how it lets the instrument speak freely: the varnish adds virtually no weight, allowing the guitar’s soundboard to resonate unhindered. It’s also fully repairable at any time : layers of shellac, even old ones, meld seamlessly into one unified coat. Plus, it’s non-toxic (once the alcohol has evaporated…), biocompatible, and even edible (though I wouldn’t recommend it)!