Ervin Somogyi

Wenge: The New Brazilian?

January 9, 2013

Ervin Somogyi

I prefer woods that are “live,” regardless of their grain, figure, or color.

A Weekend Warrior's Guide to Luthier and Woodworking Trivia

October 8, 2012

Ervin Somogyi

If you ever find yourself in need of some guitar trivia—perhaps on a long van ride home from a weekend gig—here are some nuggets you can trot out when you need to perk up a conversation or keep the driver awake.

"Werewood" - Fact or Fantasy?

July 9, 2012

Ervin Somogyi

When you encounter an old acoustic guitar that sounds magical—like this 1941 Gibson ES-150—it’s tempting to speculate why. Is it due to vintage construction techniques? Decades of string vibration?

Listening Deeply to Acoustic Guitar Sound

April 6, 2012

Ervin Somogyi

Mostly, the guitar is supposed to be about sound. But that’s the hardest of all of these to pin down.

Guitar Making: The Ultimate Hobby In Retirement?

January 10, 2012

Ervin Somogyi

Lutherie provides the opportunity to meet and get to know a whole bunch of interesting people who are sometimes quirky, but never stupid.

"The Right Look" in Guitars

October 18, 2011

Ervin Somogyi

Some of the guitars I see have that certain something (some don’t) and are visually appealing enough for me to approach and take a closer look.

Tracking the Steel-String Guitar’s Evolution, Pt. 3

May 17, 2011

Ervin Somogyi

To truly understand the flattop and its sonic place in the extended guitar family—a lineage that stretches back to the lute and even the oud—it’s important to listen to

Tracking The Steel-String Guitar's Evolution, Pt. 2

April 19, 2011

Ervin Somogyi

We began looking at the origins of steel-string guitars in February. This month, we continue by comparing nylon and steel-string instruments.

Tracking The Steel-String Guitar's Evolution, Pt. 1

January 17, 2011

Ervin Somogyi

In this three-part series, we’ll explore the genesis of the steel-string and look at the evolution of this versatile and intriguing stringed instrument over the last century.