I love Steve's playing. As a student in AZ, around 1980, he gave clinic at our college which led me to take a lesson with him that informs my playing still.
Love you until the end of time, Professor Somogyi. You are the wellspring of wisdom, and the river of kindness. Thank you for showing us mere mortals how it is properly done!
Steve is a great teacher also. He came to UAA in Anchorage and just blew me away with his playing and his sound! I still think of him everytime I hear jazz in the background of a cartoon!
I was in the shop of the maker of Ervin's flamenco guitar when he was trying it out. He played a Bulerias on it while it was still unvarnished. It was made by our late and dear old friend Eugene Clark in El Cerrito, CA. Too many details to write here but I will say that it was an amazing performance by Ervin. :)
These are amazing beautiful instruments and works of art, there are people who will pay these sums for a painting to look at, and nobody questions it, why not for a functioning guitar and earn money professionally from it. Long may you continue, and thankfully you are teaching others so that the skill is past on
Lightly building the guitar is a real challenge to withstand the tremendous stress and yet to be able to survive for a reasonably amount of time. This is further complicated by the fact each piece of timber is different. No matter what, it is not a simple task.
You'd be hard pressed to find a better person to display the tone of your guitar than Steve Erquiaga. I also had the privilege of seeing Ed Gerhard maybe a dozen times early on when his Somogyi was his primary instrument as I lived less than a half hour from him in NH.
I really appericiate your works sir!You are a part of my inspiration. I have a very serious mindset of starting my career as a luthier. Though im just a 22 year old guy.Will it be a satisfactory income source in future for me? Every time its only 1 thing running in my mind is "Guitars" I really need your advice sir.
I've watched dozens of these uploads from the best in the business. I have yet to see a single mention of the importance of crowning the board BEFORE sampling the tonal projection. The balance of downbearing versus stiffness. What is this, some kind of trade secret or are these people just lucky fools.
I truly appreciate mastery, but the website touts $39,600 for a guitar at base price, not including any upgrades. You have the right to sell for whatever you choose to sell for. I just wish these were more affordable, you know? I would love to write music with your instrument here in Nashville but I can’t afford to.
Your post is like complaining that a Lamborghini can't be purchased for the price of a Toyota. If all you can afford is the Toyota, then be content with the Toyota. Your local Guitar Center has plenty of Martins and Taylors available. If you want the elevated performance, then it comes with an elevated cost. Complaining about the cost just makes you look weak.
Torres figured all this out circa 1860. You're making it harder than it is. There's a lot of arrogance in the luthier field, and this cat is on a whole nutha levo.
Ervin responsive guitars are also those made by Santa Cruz Guitar Company. But not even near your $30K. You can sing all you want but how many big artists own your guitars?. I say artists not collectors like Donald Trump's buddies. Just saying. (you know exactly what I am talking about).
if you don't want to pay fair enough. how much would you pay for a lifetime worth of experience? $1000? don't think so. those guitars are masterpiece and deserve to be payed that much. when you'll acquire mr. somogyi expertise and craftsmanship you'll want people to pay for the amount of work and patience you have put into your work. or you can buy a cheaper guitar and stop whining just saying..
@@artist91fb I bought a hand made guitar for 4.5k a bit more than 10 years ago, it was my first and only major investment - and I don't plan to make another since I don't make a living out of playing guitar. It's extremely easy to play for me and, though it could stand to have a bit of a rounder tone, its tremendous volume of sound more than compensates. Why am I saying all of this, I hear you ask. To show you that spending 30k for any instrument is insane and does not enhance the musical experience of the player, exactly because instruments that sell at such prices are no better than others that may sell at 6k or 8k. The sound quality of an acoustic instrument can only get so good before the luthier simply can't do anything more but add ornaments to jack up the price. This does not negate the craftsmanship of the luthier, but it is silly to believe that a 30k instrument will, on average, play better than a 10k one.
Мариос Христодулу I am not saying that a 30k guitar necessarily plays better. But let’s make a thought exercise. If you were a professional luthier that has spent a whole life mastering the art of guitar making to the excellence. Would you like your experience to be paid as well? Or just the wood? I think that a 30k price is reflecting the life experience of Ervin and when you commit to it you are actually buying not an instrument, you are buying a person’s time. How much would you value your time? Not just the time you took for the build. The time you took to learn, to practice, to perfect a technique. That is what you are paying for. Experience Experience is priceless. Now there are many comments here saying that no many musicians have somogyi guitars. That is true. But also given that somogyi just built about 500 guitars in his lifetime is totally understandable why that is. I don’t think that those guitars are for people who make money with music, they wouldn’t be able to appreciate them, as for them the guitar is a mere tool, made to play and make money out. A cheap fender will do the trick. These instruments are made for people who appreciate time and patience of the maker, who appreciate every stroke on the strings. People who appreciate the sheer beauty and design of an instrument that has captured our fantasy and imagination for about 400 years. These are the people who will buy somogyi, matsuda, greenfield, kostal and so on.. we don’t want a guitar. We want an instrument that has beauty and meaning above all else
@@artist91fb So anybody that doesn't like to pour money down the drain or simply can't afford caring too much about aesthetics (segmented ornamentations and whatnot) is a sellout that should rather play a cheap strat? Geez, the level of elitism is beyond me. I don't think you understand what "making money with the guitar means". I'm talking those whose profession is to play classical guitar and thus need a top-notch instrument for recordings and concerts. Those people do not benefit by getting a ludicrusly expensive guitar like anything made by Somogyi; there nothing in the craft of making music that benefits from such expensive instruments which can't be achieved with more reasonably priced ones. Somogyi and other luthiers of similar status either exploit their (deservingly) houshold name to make more money or simply embellish the instruments with ornaments and that's why the resulting prices are off the charts. Good for them for doing that, but for us musicians is like having to choose between Apple and PC/Android; Apple clearly produces good products but also terribly overpriced, so I'd rather buy something way cheaper which does exactly the same things just as well.
I love Steve's playing. As a student in AZ, around 1980, he gave clinic at our college which led me to take a lesson with him that informs my playing still.
Love you until the end of time, Professor Somogyi. You are the wellspring of wisdom, and the river of kindness. Thank you for showing us mere mortals how it is properly done!
Steve is a great teacher also. He came to UAA in Anchorage and just blew me away with his playing and his sound! I still think of him everytime I hear jazz in the background of a cartoon!
I was in the shop of the maker of Ervin's flamenco guitar when he was trying it out. He played a Bulerias on it while it was still unvarnished. It was made by our late and dear old friend Eugene Clark in El Cerrito, CA. Too many details to write here but I will say that it was an amazing performance by Ervin. :)
Ervin you are a genuine master. Please never stop. And sell me one!!
The demonstrated instrument is a beautiful guitar, in appearance but more so in it's sound. Thank you for sharing.
I'm in awe of such talent, amazing wonderful instruments, the clarity of sound is unsurpassed. Respect!!!
the amount of work in that beautiful inlaid back is astronomical!
These are amazing beautiful instruments and works of art, there are people who will pay these sums for a painting to look at, and nobody questions it, why not for a functioning guitar and earn money professionally from it. Long may you continue, and thankfully you are teaching others so that the skill is past on
Such beautiful work ❤
Beautiful sounding guitars and masterful playing by Steve.
Ervin is the Gandalf of luthier'y a kind souled wizard who has taught many fine sought after builders.
What a cool video,
Steve is a master guitarist, great info
Lightly building the guitar is a real challenge to withstand the tremendous stress and yet to be able to survive for a reasonably amount of time. This is further complicated by the fact each piece of timber is different. No matter what, it is not a simple task.
He did switch to make steel acoustic but this player is playing his nylon-string..... Tenderly Charming sound.
Such inspiring work Maestro, thank you- grazie di cuore
Mediterranean greetings Aronne
You'd be hard pressed to find a better person to display the tone of your guitar than Steve Erquiaga. I also had the privilege of seeing Ed Gerhard maybe a dozen times early on when his Somogyi was his primary instrument as I lived less than a half hour from him in NH.
I really appericiate your works sir!You are a part of my inspiration.
I have a very serious mindset of starting my career as a luthier. Though im just a 22 year old guy.Will it be a satisfactory income source in future for me?
Every time its only 1 thing running in my mind is "Guitars"
I really need your advice sir.
Unmesh Vaity: send me an email and I will respond to you. E.S.
As a Celtic guitarist the guitars with the Celtic roundal are visually stunning and are simply works of art. ❤
Very beautyful and nice video. Is it still possible to buy the books mentioned ? if so I would love to order one.
Hey Urban! Check it out at esomogyi.com
real master
whats the name of the background music?
Thank you for posting this, awesome subject, well produced clip, where can you buy the book(s)?
I've watched dozens of these uploads from the best in the business. I have yet to see a single mention of the importance of crowning the board BEFORE sampling the tonal projection. The balance of downbearing versus stiffness. What is this, some kind of trade secret or are these people just lucky fools.
I am one of those lucky fools.
I want Work with your company
Isn't that a nylon string guitar that Steve is playing? Is it a Somogyi made instrument too?
It is.
I truly appreciate mastery, but the website touts $39,600 for a guitar at base price, not including any upgrades. You have the right to sell for whatever you choose to sell for. I just wish these were more affordable, you know? I would love to write music with your instrument here in Nashville but I can’t afford to.
Your post is like complaining that a Lamborghini can't be purchased for the price of a Toyota. If all you can afford is the Toyota, then be content with the Toyota. Your local Guitar Center has plenty of Martins and Taylors available. If you want the elevated performance, then it comes with an elevated cost. Complaining about the cost just makes you look weak.
Steve...one wonders, are you taking visitors?
Yeah but, he plays classical guitar with a plectrum...just saying
By "responsive" you mean thin sounding.
Torres figured all this out circa 1860. You're making it harder than it is. There's a lot of arrogance in the luthier field, and this cat is on a whole nutha levo.
Ervin responsive guitars are also those made by Santa Cruz Guitar Company. But not even near your $30K. You can sing all you want but how many big artists own your guitars?. I say artists not collectors like Donald Trump's buddies. Just saying. (you know exactly what I am talking about).
if you don't want to pay fair enough.
how much would you pay for a lifetime worth of experience?
$1000? don't think so.
those guitars are masterpiece and deserve to be payed that much.
when you'll acquire mr. somogyi expertise and craftsmanship you'll want people to pay for the amount of work and patience you have put into your work.
or you can buy a cheaper guitar and stop whining
just saying..
@@artist91fb well, 30k is the price of an collector's extravagant furniture , not an artist's instrument, unless we are talking about a rockstar.
@@artist91fb I bought a hand made guitar for 4.5k a bit more than 10 years ago, it was my first and only major investment - and I don't plan to make another since I don't make a living out of playing guitar. It's extremely easy to play for me and, though it could stand to have a bit of a rounder tone, its tremendous volume of sound more than compensates.
Why am I saying all of this, I hear you ask. To show you that spending 30k for any instrument is insane and does not enhance the musical experience of the player, exactly because instruments that sell at such prices are no better than others that may sell at 6k or 8k. The sound quality of an acoustic instrument can only get so good before the luthier simply can't do anything more but add ornaments to jack up the price. This does not negate the craftsmanship of the luthier, but it is silly to believe that a 30k instrument will, on average, play better than a 10k one.
Мариос Христодулу I am not saying that a 30k guitar necessarily plays better.
But let’s make a thought exercise.
If you were a professional luthier that has spent a whole life mastering the art of guitar making to the excellence.
Would you like your experience to be paid as well? Or just the wood?
I think that a 30k price is reflecting the life experience of Ervin and when you commit to it you are actually buying not an instrument, you are buying a person’s time.
How much would you value your time?
Not just the time you took for the build. The time you took to learn, to practice, to perfect a technique.
That is what you are paying for. Experience
Experience is priceless.
Now there are many comments here saying that no many musicians have somogyi guitars. That is true.
But also given that somogyi just built about 500 guitars in his lifetime is totally understandable why that is.
I don’t think that those guitars are for people who make money with music, they wouldn’t be able to appreciate them, as for them the guitar is a mere tool, made to play and make money out. A cheap fender will do the trick.
These instruments are made for people who appreciate time and patience of the maker, who appreciate every stroke on the strings. People who appreciate the sheer beauty and design of an instrument that has captured our fantasy and imagination for about 400 years.
These are the people who will buy somogyi, matsuda, greenfield, kostal and so on.. we don’t want a guitar. We want an instrument that has beauty and meaning above all else
@@artist91fb So anybody that doesn't like to pour money down the drain or simply can't afford caring too much about aesthetics (segmented ornamentations and whatnot) is a sellout that should rather play a cheap strat? Geez, the level of elitism is beyond me.
I don't think you understand what "making money with the guitar means". I'm talking those whose profession is to play classical guitar and thus need a top-notch instrument for recordings and concerts. Those people do not benefit by getting a ludicrusly expensive guitar like anything made by Somogyi; there nothing in the craft of making music that benefits from such expensive instruments which can't be achieved with more reasonably priced ones. Somogyi and other luthiers of similar status either exploit their (deservingly) houshold name to make more money or simply embellish the instruments with ornaments and that's why the resulting prices are off the charts. Good for them for doing that, but for us musicians is like having to choose between Apple and PC/Android; Apple clearly produces good products but also terribly overpriced, so I'd rather buy something way cheaper which does exactly the same things just as well.