Ervin Somogyi

Acoustic Soundboard

Wenge: The New Brazilian?

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

Ervin Somogyi

Jan 09, 2013

Acoustic Soundboard

A Weekend Warrior's Guide to Luthier and Woodworking Trivia

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.

Ervin Somogyi

Oct 08, 2012

Acoustic Soundboard

"Werewood" - Fact or Fantasy?

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?

Ervin Somogyi

Jul 09, 2012

Acoustic Soundboard

Listening Deeply to Acoustic Guitar Sound

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

Ervin Somogyi

Apr 06, 2012

Acoustic Soundboard

Guitar Making: The Ultimate Hobby In Retirement?

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

Ervin Somogyi

Jan 10, 2012

Acoustic Soundboard

"The Right Look" in Guitars

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.

Ervin Somogyi

Oct 18, 2011

Acoustic Soundboard

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

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

Ervin Somogyi

May 17, 2011

Acoustic Soundboard

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

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

Ervin Somogyi

Apr 19, 2011

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

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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

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