Watch a Master Luthier Build a Guitar (from scratch)

Join us as we travel to Michael Bashkin’s workshop to make an acoustic guitar from scratch. Michael is not only a master luthier, but one of the top names in the world when it comes to building a finely-made steel string acoustic guitar. He’s generously invited the StewMac team in for a peek behind the curtain into his process. We hope you enjoy it! Special thanks to Michael Bashkin! Check out his enlightening podcast collaboration with Fretboard Journal, “Luthier on Luthier“, on your favorite streaming platform. Instagram @bashkin_guitars All music in the video was performed by Sean McGowan, as well as the final live performance. Huge thanks to Sean! Instagram @seanmcgowanguitar If you’re thinking of starting or continuing your own guitar building adventures, StewMac has everything you’re looking for. Here are just a few of the items you might be looking for to build your own acoustic guitar: Video Chapters: 0:00 Choosing your wood 2:52 Joining the back and sides 7:56 The rosette 14:20 Bending sides 17:28 Linings 21:24 Bracing 35:23 Gluing the back on 36:40 Voicing the open box 37:27 Gluing the top on 40:15 Cleaning up the sides 42:09 Voicing the closed box 43:57 Binding and purfling 51:01 Rough carving the neck 54:50 The headstock overlay 1:00:18 Installing the truss rod & fingerboard 1:03:54 Fine tuning the neck 1:06:52 Setting the neck angle 1:09:49 Fitting the neck to the body 1:12:18 Final sanding 1:14:10 Pore filling 1:23:20 Sealer & lacquer 1:28:46 Wet sanding & buffing 1:31:02 Final fitting of neck and body 1:32:48 Installing frets 1:35:18 Installing tuners 1:37:10 Gluing on the bridge 1:39:27 Making the nut & saddle 1:41:57 Stringing up 1:44:24 Fine tuning & playing - - - - - - - - - - - - StewMac has everything you need to repair, build or maintain your guitars. Everything we sell is backed by our Lifetime Promise, and we offer fast worldwide shipping. Shop StewMac: Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar Facebook: