After seeing the absolutely astounding amount of time, tools, skill and expertise that goes into one of these guitars, the price would be well justified even if it were to be doubled. Simply an amazing instrument, and a work of art.
I just wanted to let you know that people are still watching and enjoying this display of craftsmanship from five years ago! This and other videos that you have made do inspire others or foster a sense of appreciation of the skill that it takes to craft a quality instrument@
Thanks James it's a real treat to watch a pro Luthier at work, myself I'm at the one a year stage but I get immense satisfaction in playing one I have made. I have also made my friends Guitars, well 3 of them but they all swear by them (in a good way) and I know I'm getting better, especially when there is great content like yours to pick up techniques from.
As a guitar builder myself, I always like to see how others work, and see the similarities as well as the differences. No two builders do the same thing
Yes Sir, and no human is equal to another....I don't like the background "music?" Ok, it is copyright free but, o my goodness how boring......But, however, this is one of the best builders video.
I just keep watching this. I put it on in the background when I'm doing other things. It's nice to watch the process, but the inspiring part, to me at least, is seeing that you didn't always have all of the nice, new, refined tools. Even your mold wasn't the fancy CNC one that you use now. It helps make this feel more achievable. I appreciate all of the how-to videos as someone that's just learning and starting out on this
Phenomenal build! And one of my pet peeves, which you managed to overcome with perfection, was getting those tuning machines dead on straight. Thank you, Mr. Alvarado!!! Thank you, dearly!!!!
Díky za vaše úžasná videa. Je to velmi inspirující, dokonale poučné a v neposlední řadě neuvěřitelně zábavné a záživné. Nemáte žádné zbytečné komentáře, vše je řečeno k věci velice zábavnou formou. Díky vám za vaši práci. Jste nejlepší, zdraví vás Martin Smažík Czech republic
Wow. I’ve been following your videos for some time and love them. Just finished watching this one today. You have some incredible skills making a guitar that is also a work of art. I’ve made only a few and was nervous watching you cut your inlays! Wow, you’ve got such a tremendous skill set. Respect!
Simply the best guitar build i've ever seen even in super fast speed. Also one of the best looking guitars i've ever seen as well. Can't say how many times I said "Wow" in this video.
Beyond Amazing. Chris Alvarado is an amazing craftsman and a true talent. His Song writing skills and vocals are as pleasing as his luthier abilities. It is a pleasure to see his work in all aspects.
I saw the movie (yes a movie) with any break...astonishing. A very difficult job. One day I hope to be able to treat myself to one of your works. Cheers from Italy
Thoroughly enjoying this. As if I'm in the room. I've been playing for 25 years. I had an old classical I tried to restore and ruined it due to inexperience. Sanded finger marks into the wood. It was not repairable. The wood was redwood on the front and very light. It probably still sits in the closet of the guy I gave it to. Memories....
I would be proud to own that, over any of the major brands. Stunning guitar, amazing work. You are one hell of a craftsman. Loved all of the inlay work.
I am just a poor journeyman woodworker. But watching your technique. And your setup to different operations is quite interesting. I know you pick stuff up like that as you go. And sometimes modify your techniques. Amazing skills Brother! Much respect for your craftsmanship and commitment to excellence. Alot of which,sadly, has been lost in the modern trades.
You technique is 1 I have really never seen ,but awesome to say the least!! love all your work especially your attention to carving braces and tone bars very important!!
Stunning, but also would have liked to hear it’s voice. With that much work seeing one go to a new home must be like having a piece of yourself go as well. That is what hand built is. You are a highly skilled luthier.
Loved the build. Loved your craftsmanship and artistry. The guitar looks amazing. My only complaint is that we didn't hear it sing at the end. You are a true master of building beautiful instruments. Just wanted to hear it. Love whatyou do.
I totally understand. Back when I posted this video, I had only intended to use UA-cam as a place to store the video and play it on a loop while I did my public speaking events, so the audio wasn’t even going to be heard. Here I am all these years later and 90% of my comments are about the damn audio haha. Live a learn.
I’ve been watching some of your more recent videos when I came across this one. It’s interesting to watch how your techniques have progressed. You do truly beautiful work
Stunning. Gorgeous. Fantastic. Artistic. Inspiring. Your woodworking skills are extremely skilled, top of the mark. So you must have a very good reason why make a tenon bolt on neck instead of a dovetail joint. Please let us all know what brought you to that decision. Your artistry can't be questioned so you must have a fantastic reason and I'd love to know. Again, thank you so much for this video.
Hi Chris - I happened by your video by accident and this lead me to investigate your website. I've been making guitars for many years, but I have never enjoyed watching a guitar being built so much as watching you. Your work is truly inspiring and the quality looks superb. I doubt I will ever see one of your instruments in the flesh as I live in England, but I must congratulate you for some amazing work and your inlays are out of this world. To have this much talent at such a young age is fantastic. Well done and keep up the great work - Regards Dave
You wonder why these hand-built guitars are so expensive. Just consider the time without materials...Not sure the total hours it took....More than 200...Even if it took 200....Multiply 200 hrs times say 50 bucks an hour. Then check what he charges. This young man is a true artist! Working at labor of love rates.
😲 wow Incredible! Looks very much like the shape of a 000-28 but I guess Stradivari copied or used the standard violin shape... I always thought that the maker would voice or tune the top by changing the shape of the top bracing. I love how the fretboard inlay overlaps onto the body; truly artistic! A work of art! Magnificent! mortise
Hi Chris - Absolutely superb and the inlay work is stunning. To have that level of skill at such a young age is incredible!! Like the previous comment I would have loved to have heard that guitar at the end. I have been making guitars for some 45 years but do not pretend to have your inlay skills. I tend to be very conservative in my adornments. I wonder if you would mind sharing some of your experience with me and maybe others. I have always used acrylic grain filler and nitrocellulose lacquer and wondered if you could give your view on any possible effects of the the epoxy grain filler on the sound, does it tend to tighten up the wood and consequently the sound? Also what lacquer do you use? I have made Rosewood, Mahogany and Maple acoustics but never Koa. I treated myself to a couple of sets of highly figured Koa about 32 years ago for myself, but have never got round to making them up. I purchased enough to have Koa tops just like yours but have never made up my mind if I wanted Koa, Cedar or Engelmann spruce tops. Have you made many with Koa tops and how do you think the sound compares to Spruce? I would love to visit your shop some time when I come to the States next time but I don't see me travelling for a while until this virus is beaten. Keep up the superb work and stay safe.
very high craftsmanship ... I would have watched more through the technical details ... and of course how it sounds Curious why only accoustic and not acoustic-electric for such a high quality instrument
Saya penasaran dengan harga gitarnya... Sebuah hasil karya yang dibuat dengan keterampilan dan pengalaman dari anda sang ahli.... Sangat bernilai...salam hormat
Thats bad to the bone luthiering there. Now you need to play Queens song, I ride my Bicycle.lol Thanks for the tip on cutting a string notch in the bridge with that saw and use bone unnotched bridge pins, that's gonna help my DR100 Epiphone alot I think.
With the neck block extension under the sound board I don't understand how you access the truss rod, Do you slot the top of the extension before gluing on the top? Do you drill through the hole in the transverse bar? Inquiring minds and all that;)
A really enjoyable Visio. A great deal of artistry on display. I noticed that the sound board bracing was scalloped. The deeper the brace the stiffer. Therefore, the stiffest parts of the sound board are at the points of the scallops. Are the scallop point locations predetermined?
A guy named Buzz Aldrin: "That's a very nice guitar man! Where you bought it from?" This guy: "Nowhere, I made it myself." AgnBA: "Yeah right...and I'm an astronaut..."
I assume you’re referring to when I glued on the veneer to the bevel? If so, I apply glue to the guitar, and to the veneer. Without attaching them, I let the glue dry for an hour, then you use the iron to melt the glue, and to make it stick.
CGM are you serious. Why not some of your guitars music. Nice koa by the way. When you are glueing the top and back they seem to be shinny. Do they have sealer on them or shellac? Awesome video discounting the music
Can’t help but wonder why, when you are sanding by hand, you wear a space suit, but using the belt sander, that throws dust all over the place, it’s fine? I mean dust extraction and all, there’s still going to be dust in the air. Just curious.
notice that he always wears it while applying lacquer and only sometimes while sanding, my guess is he was applying finish to other guitars while he was also working on this one and happened to leave it on in between.
Chris, Thank you for this awesome build. Congrats to a stunning looking instrument. i ve been building instruments for 5 years as a part time luthier - and this one is really inspiring to me. the details are first class. keep building and doing such great work. would love to hear the guitar, since koa as wood for tops is absolutely new to me, at least for a guitar (not for an uke). any reason you didn´t choose spruce or cedar?
After seeing the absolutely astounding amount of time, tools, skill and expertise that goes into one of these guitars, the price would be well justified even if it were to be doubled. Simply an amazing instrument, and a work of art.
Would of loved to hear you play the guitar after all that hard work. Beautiful guitar and amazing work.
you should have shared the sound of the guitar while you play it. how it sound is what matters.
I just wanted to let you know that people are still watching and enjoying this display of craftsmanship from five years ago! This and other videos that you have made do inspire others or foster a sense of appreciation of the skill that it takes to craft a quality instrument@
Amazing, I can only imagine the number of years you've invested in your craft. You are definately looking good for 85 years old ;)
Thanks James it's a real treat to watch a pro Luthier at work, myself I'm at the one a year stage but I get immense satisfaction in playing one I have made. I have also made my friends Guitars, well 3 of them but they all swear by them (in a good way) and I know I'm getting better, especially when there is great content like yours to pick up techniques from.
Wow!!! That's a masterpiece! Wonderful guitar! Amazing job! Congratulations!
As a guitar builder myself, I always like to see how others work, and see the similarities as well as the differences. No two builders do the same thing
Yes Sir, and no human is equal to another....I don't like the background "music?" Ok, it is copyright free but, o my goodness how boring......But, however, this is one of the best builders video.
I just keep watching this. I put it on in the background when I'm doing other things. It's nice to watch the process, but the inspiring part, to me at least, is seeing that you didn't always have all of the nice, new, refined tools. Even your mold wasn't the fancy CNC one that you use now. It helps make this feel more achievable. I appreciate all of the how-to videos as someone that's just learning and starting out on this
I want to hear how this guitar sounds like so bad! Please make a video of it. Thanks
That inlay!!!! You are awesome! A pleasure to watch.
Now Chris, This is what I call Art! one of the best videos I've seen. Thanks!!
Phenomenal build! And one of my pet peeves, which you managed to overcome with perfection, was getting those tuning machines dead on straight. Thank you, Mr. Alvarado!!! Thank you, dearly!!!!
Really beautiful. You are amazingly talented!!!!
Díky za vaše úžasná videa. Je to velmi inspirující, dokonale poučné a v neposlední řadě neuvěřitelně zábavné a záživné. Nemáte žádné zbytečné komentáře, vše je řečeno k věci velice zábavnou formou. Díky vám za vaši práci. Jste nejlepší, zdraví vás Martin Smažík Czech republic
Wow. I’ve been following your videos for some time and love them. Just finished watching this one today. You have some incredible skills making a guitar that is also a work of art. I’ve made only a few and was nervous watching you cut your inlays! Wow, you’ve got such a tremendous skill set. Respect!
Entertaining, educational and inspiring. Thank you for letting me look over your shoulder.
Best wishes
Simply the best guitar build i've ever seen even in super fast speed. Also one of the best looking guitars i've ever seen as well. Can't say how many times I said "Wow" in this video.
@Bloodshotgamer. I too said wow way too many times. A truly incredible build.
Beyond Amazing. Chris Alvarado is an amazing craftsman and a true talent. His Song writing skills and vocals are as pleasing as his luthier abilities. It is a pleasure to see his work in all aspects.
Simply incredible display of craftsmanship! Well done!
Oh, your that guy I hated in shop class!!!! Love the channel, amazing craftsmanship.
The sound of the guitar is amazing 🙃
Beautiful work! Awesome to watch a master at his craft!
I saw the movie (yes a movie) with any break...astonishing. A very difficult job. One day I hope to be able to treat myself to one of your works. Cheers from Italy
Díky!
Thoroughly enjoying this. As if I'm in the room. I've been playing for 25 years. I had an old classical I tried to restore and ruined it due to inexperience. Sanded finger marks into the wood. It was not repairable. The wood was redwood on the front and very light. It probably still sits in the closet of the guy I gave it to. Memories....
You are an awesome guy. A true Craftsman. Soooo glad I found your channel. :)
I would be proud to own that, over any of the major brands. Stunning guitar, amazing work. You are one hell of a craftsman. Loved all of the inlay work.
I am just a poor journeyman woodworker. But watching your technique. And your setup to different operations is quite interesting. I know you pick stuff up like that as you go. And sometimes modify your techniques. Amazing skills Brother! Much respect for your craftsmanship and commitment to excellence. Alot of which,sadly, has been lost in the modern trades.
Amazing work!
Some serious craftsmanship going on in this. Nice guitar.
You technique is 1 I have really never seen ,but awesome to say the least!! love all your work especially your attention to carving braces and tone bars very important!!
One beautiful guitar!
Beautiful, I wish I could be able to do this. I have a physical limitation that as soon as I started the job I'd be riddled with pain.
Stunning instrument!
Stunning, but also would have liked to hear it’s voice. With that much work seeing one go to a new home must be like having a piece of yourself go as well. That is what hand built is. You are a highly skilled luthier.
Loved the build. Loved your craftsmanship and artistry. The guitar looks amazing. My only complaint is that we didn't hear it sing at the end. You are a true master of building beautiful instruments. Just wanted to hear it. Love whatyou do.
I totally understand. Back when I posted this video, I had only intended to use UA-cam as a place to store the video and play it on a loop while I did my public speaking events, so the audio wasn’t even going to be heard. Here I am all these years later and 90% of my comments are about the damn audio haha. Live a learn.
Please know that my quibble was small and mot important. Your craftsmanship is immaculate and I cannot wait to see what else you accomplish.
I’ve been watching some of your more recent videos when I came across this one. It’s interesting to watch how your techniques have progressed. You do truly beautiful work
Stunning. Gorgeous. Fantastic. Artistic. Inspiring. Your woodworking skills are extremely skilled, top of the mark. So you must have a very good reason why make a tenon bolt on neck instead of a dovetail joint. Please let us all know what brought you to that decision. Your artistry can't be questioned so you must have a fantastic reason and I'd love to know. Again, thank you so much for this video.
Amazing skill .... i think he was a master builder
This blew my mind. I think I'll just stop complaining about how expensive guitars are now. What was the theme that drove the bicycle inlay?
Music over the part where you play it.... really
How to waste one hour of video, cover the part where he is playing...what a waste
Caned music!
he probably does not have a good enough microphone to do the guitar justice, just be happy that he shared his process of making the guitar with us
Matthew Harper has
"Wow! Amazing and beautiful instrument! I sure would love to hear it!". See, that's how you can accomplish the same thing cordially.
Hi Chris - I happened by your video by accident and this lead me to investigate your website. I've been making guitars for many years, but I have never enjoyed watching a guitar being built so much as watching you. Your work is truly inspiring and the quality looks superb. I doubt I will ever see one of your instruments in the flesh as I live in England, but I must congratulate you for some amazing work and your inlays are out of this world. To have this much talent at such a young age is fantastic. Well done and keep up the great work - Regards Dave
Beautiful! Bravo! Bravo!
What a craftsman. Bravo!
Absolutely fabulous!
You wonder why these hand-built guitars are so expensive. Just consider the time without materials...Not sure the total hours it took....More than 200...Even if it took 200....Multiply 200 hrs times say 50 bucks an hour. Then check what he charges.
This young man is a true artist! Working at labor of love rates.
65-100 per hour
Just awesome and beautiful well done
Man...that would take me 4 or 5 hours!!!
Good speed!
I'd love to see a video going into more detail on doing an arm bevel. Such a nice feature.
That’ll be happening in the near future. Stay tuned.
great build. would have been nice to hear it !!!!
I appreciate your attention to detail I’d like to hear what it sounds like too
😲 wow Incredible! Looks very much like the shape of a 000-28 but I guess Stradivari copied or used the standard violin shape... I always thought that the maker would voice or tune the top by changing the shape of the top bracing. I love how the fretboard inlay overlaps onto the body; truly artistic! A work of art! Magnificent!
mortise
Stunning guitar.
You are a true master craftsman
Hi Chris - Absolutely superb and the inlay work is stunning. To have that level of skill at such a young age is incredible!! Like the previous comment I would have loved to have heard that guitar at the end.
I have been making guitars for some 45 years but do not pretend to have your inlay skills. I tend to be very conservative in my adornments. I wonder if you would mind sharing some of your experience with me and maybe others. I have always used acrylic grain filler and nitrocellulose lacquer and wondered if you could give your view on any possible effects of the the epoxy grain filler on the sound, does it tend to tighten up the wood and consequently the sound? Also what lacquer do you use?
I have made Rosewood, Mahogany and Maple acoustics but never Koa. I treated myself to a couple of sets of highly figured Koa about 32 years ago for myself, but have never got round to making them up. I purchased enough to have Koa tops just like yours but have never made up my mind if I wanted Koa, Cedar or Engelmann spruce tops. Have you made many with Koa tops and how do you think the sound compares to Spruce? I would love to visit your shop some time when I come to the States next time but I don't see me travelling for a while until this virus is beaten. Keep up the superb work and stay safe.
Beautiful work, too ornate for me
Gorgous, really liked the inlay very creative
What is the music playing in the background? Very nice and relaxing. Thank you for showing us how you build your guitar.
Just amazing
This is amazing.
Amazing work.
very high craftsmanship ... I would have watched more through the technical details ... and of course how it sounds
Curious why only accoustic and not acoustic-electric for such a high quality instrument
After watching this I feel like I can make my own acoustic guitar.
I think I am ready to take orders too.
Saya penasaran dengan harga gitarnya...
Sebuah hasil karya yang dibuat dengan keterampilan dan pengalaman dari anda sang ahli....
Sangat bernilai...salam hormat
Beautiful work I now have builders envy (joking) you are a very talented young man, maybe someday I’ll have you build me one.
Very impressive!
Wow. Amazing what an art. 👌👍🏻🎸
It's the music for me, exquisite selection, made the video 10 times better.
Very cool video
Thats bad to the bone luthiering there. Now you need to play Queens song, I ride my Bicycle.lol Thanks for the tip on cutting a string notch in the bridge with that saw and use bone unnotched bridge pins, that's gonna help my DR100 Epiphone alot I think.
a master piece
With the neck block extension under the sound board I don't understand how you access the truss rod, Do you slot the top of the extension before gluing on the top? Do you drill through the hole in the transverse bar? Inquiring minds and all that;)
A really enjoyable Visio. A great deal of artistry on display.
I noticed that the sound board bracing was scalloped. The deeper the brace the stiffer. Therefore, the stiffest parts of the sound board are at the points of the scallops. Are the scallop point locations predetermined?
Does it have good sound being Hawaiian Koa with 12 coats of lacquer?
exellente I want to hear the sound
Sehr schön, Hut ab! Was kostet sowas?
Interesting background music
Awesome videos, gibson and fender have nothing on you my man
I agree what does it sound like .
A guy named Buzz Aldrin: "That's a very nice guitar man! Where you bought it from?"
This guy: "Nowhere, I made it myself."
AgnBA: "Yeah right...and I'm an astronaut..."
It always makes me think,”Shouldn’t we have figured out a better way to glue bracing on by now?” whenever I see it done. 😂
Please tell me what kind of glue is the one you use iron to make it stick? It looks very interesting!
It’s actually Titebond
@@DriftwoodGuitars and the iron makes it dry faster?Wow!!!!
I assume you’re referring to when I glued on the veneer to the bevel? If so, I apply glue to the guitar, and to the veneer. Without attaching them, I let the glue dry for an hour, then you use the iron to melt the glue, and to make it stick.
What do the graphite rods do?
Add significant strength to the neck and reduce weight.
CGM are you serious. Why not some of your guitars music. Nice koa by the way. When you are glueing the top and back they seem to be shinny. Do they have sealer on them or shellac?
Awesome video discounting the music
Chris!!!! Where did you get the bridge clamping Tool??? I really would like to have that its amazing and cant find a link
www.LMII.com
@@DriftwoodGuitars thanks so much Chris
!!!!acojonante hermano!!!!...puto amo!!!
Can’t help but wonder why, when you are sanding by hand, you wear a space suit, but using the belt sander, that throws dust all over the place, it’s fine? I mean dust extraction and all, there’s still going to be dust in the air. Just curious.
notice that he always wears it while applying lacquer and only sometimes while sanding, my guess is he was applying finish to other guitars while he was also working on this one and happened to leave it on in between.
And BTW, how does it sound ???
awesome !!!
Great job ! How it sounds?
When I win the lottery, this is the first thing I am buying!!!
Muito bom. Parabéns.
I know so many beautiful guitars, why is there no sound of the guitar in the video?
Just WOW
How much this kind of fine instrument costs?
From his website - base price is $8,000 then there are many optional add-ons so easily up to $10k.
he answered someone else & said $14,000.
what kind of body wood? i must have missed it..
Hawaiian Koa
Thank you for letting us look over your shoulder. That was very gracious.
BEAUTIFUL BOAT OAR
Chris, Thank you for this awesome build. Congrats to a stunning looking instrument. i ve been building instruments for 5 years as a part time luthier - and this one is really inspiring to me. the details are first class. keep building and doing such great work. would love to hear the guitar, since koa as wood for tops is absolutely new to me, at least for a guitar (not for an uke). any reason you didn´t choose spruce or cedar?