Full Building of a Custom Goodall Guitar 

I went to high school with James Goodall, Jim was a friend of mine. Even 52 years ago he was meticulous with all that he did. From making surfboards to painting seascapes, I never knew anyone with the work ethic nor eye for detail like Jim Goodall. Even now when I’m doing tedious jobs around the house or sanding something that taxes my failing vision, I consciously try to channel my “inner Goodall” and it always seems to come out a little better. I think his parents had a lot to do with what a great guy he became.

What a blessing it must be as to have a son follow in his fathers footsteps and carry forward the family legacy of "acoustic excellence". James, you are a fortunate man

I had the unique opportunity to meet the owner of the actual guitar that they made in this video and even play the guitar itself. I've been playing guitar for over 20 years, and I was immediately impressed by the action all the way up the fretboard and the ease of playability. The tone was great as well. These guys are good at what they do.

2 instruments a week?!?!?! Incredible dedication to quality and detail!!! Thanks for the video.

I'm both a luthier and a session musician...I absolutely loved this. Perfectionism made sound. I may actually buy one.

Precision. Everyone wants everything faster and faster. It’s so refreshing to see the patience and exacting skill it takes to make a quality guitar. Thanks guys

When I first started playing acoustic guitar in the late 80's I'd go to McCabe's in Santa Monica and play all the fine guitars. I dreamt of someday owning a Goodall and had the model and woods picked out never thinking that someday I'd have the pleasure of owning one. Maybe 10 years later I was in a guitar shop in San Diego about to pull the trigger on a Larrivee that I wasn't quite sold on. Out of the blue a friend called me, while I was in the shop. He didn't know I was out shopping for guitars and I hadn't spoken to him in quite some time. He told me there was a beautiful Brazilian Rosewood Goodall Standard with a cutaway sitting in a small shop 30 minutes from my home near LA. It was priced at just under $2K! I immediately dropped everything and drove down to that shop and bought it on the spot. I asked the store owner how long the guitar was in the shop for. "A couple of weeks I guess", was his response. Guys would come in and play the guitar but no one bought it. I don't know how it sat in that shop, got played and still remained available for purchase but I absolutely KNEW it was meant for me. On the drive home I got a unmistakeable sense that this was a God given gift and I never will forget that moment. I still have and love this guitar today some 20+ years later. It's seen some rough times and repairs from James and his crew but it's more special to me now than ever and an instrument that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. I've played and owned many fine instruments since including Ryan, Olson, Doerr, Charis, etc. but THIS Goodall is the one that I always come back to. Thank you James for building the most beautiful looking and sounding guitars that I've heard and played. The world is better for having you in it.

Awesome! Music is great, the guitars are fabulous...wish I could afford one. Retired, small fixed income. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate the best when I see it. Hope you have many years of success!

At a loss for words here, but the world will never be truly lost while small family-run enterprises such as yours are creating art such as this - would that I had the talent or skill worthy of such an instrument!!!

I have a 1998 Goodall that I bought new in NC. It has K&K pickups, the first installed in our area. It is one of my most prized possessions. I want to thank Goodall Guitars for making what I consider a work of art that produces new art. I'm privileged to play such a fine instrument.

My dad has a Goodall 12 fret Dreadnaught that was built when you guys were in Hawaii. We both love playing that guitar and I know that it will be in our family for generations. Thanks!

I have no idea how I got here. I was enjoying a “Andes Goat Herding” video and this came up. Glad it did too ! My dad was a songwriter who loved quality acoustic guitars. He had his first Martin from the 50’s, that he cherished dearly. He had many others over the years, but that one was part of him. He wrote 13 #1 songs and “Song of The Year” on one. I lost him recently, but have his beloved instruments. No, they are sure no replacement for my best friend, but they hold a piece of his soul and his music lives forever. Thanks for sharing your amazing love, passion and craftsmanship on here. Some may say “It’s just a guitar..”. Well, if you have to explain, they wouldn’t understand. I sure do and I don’t even play. God bless ! 🇺🇸

This may be my first 49 minute RU-vid video I didn’t fast forward through. Absolutely high quality and master craftsmanship here.

Clicked on this out of curiosity. Watched every second of it. Amazing!

What a pleasure to see craftsmen who take such pride in their work. I have played Goodall guitars. They are among the best acoustic instruments in the world. Thank you for sharing.

I'm a musician and stumbled on your video. I normally won't watch something this long but it caught my attention and I've now watched it a few times. The skill and artistry you put into your guitars is amazing. It's nice to see craftsman and artists like you that care so much about their work. There are so many brands of guitars out there but yours look and sound so much better - well done.

This is that special craftmanship the world will always need. It cannot be taught from a book, but from only experience & exact precision handed down from generation to generation. Awesome presentation of such beautiful quality & excellence.

So THIS is how a $8000-$10000 guitar is built. WONDERFUL. Unlike anything else. Incredible craftsmanship. Work of art.

I was casually watching at the start, by the end I was on the edge of my seat, fabulous stuff, unbelievable craftsmanship

For those who appreciate a beautiful sounding instrument and the craftmanship it takes to make such an instrument are greatly thankful for artist like Goodall.

Wow. Just found this after investing in one of these amazing instruments. I used to think they were expensive (although totally worth it as soon as you play them). Not anymore. When you see the skill and handwork that goes into a true luthier built guitar, it's deeply humbling. The honest truth is it's our very great privilege to own and play such beautifully made instruments. Thank you guys. Absolutely incredible work.

Seeing how clean and efficient your shop appears to be is amazing to me. Every station has a custom jig specifically for a particular task. This makes me want to throw my build out with the trash. Truly amazing to see.

I started my day stressed, then I started watching this video. The passion and love for the craft and the humble pride you hear in the voices are impressive. 49 minutes well spent and my day and mood have improved significantly. Thank you for making this video and I hope people will value your masterpieces over mass-produced guitars.

If it weren't for the exotic wood, the highly customized machines and jigs, the years of experience, I bet I could do that.

I found this video most satisfying. I love watching skill craftsmanship at work, especially when it's multiply generations of a family working together to achieve it.

I watched the full video of the birth of a guitar. Raised with love to be an instrument .You guys have the best job ever.

More than watching an amazing build, I would have liked to be in a position to learn from my dad to this depth. Miss ya, my friend, mentor and teacher. I'm still working on being better. 12.16.16

That was the quickest 49 minutes ever...it was mesmerizing to watch them build. Super cool video.

I have watched this video 3 or 4 times and never get tired of watching it. This level of craftsmanship is amazing. I will own a Goodall guitar someday!

I'll admit, I know next to nothing about musical instruments. After watching the care and expertise that went into, not only the making of this video, but the end result of your masterpiece, I sat in my office, in the dark, just clicking through the timeline, to see a slideshow of what you have done. Watching this actually gives me inspiration to take more time and do things a little more intentional in my day to day life. You have certainly achieved perfection in my opinion. Thank you for being an inspiration to us.

Amazing - proof that if you have perfected your art, you can share every aspect of what you do, without fear that anyone will steal your lunch. Glad I watched the whole thing - will make one of these beauties my next guitar

Nice to see Luke following his Dad's trade, he is incredibly passionate about his work & really knows his stuff.

Incredible. This isn't a video of making a guitar. This is a video of making art.

That logo at the end with the 4 part gradient.. Cmon now. I can tell you both love the craft and it must feel great to know that you produce something of such quality and to your highest standards.

Not only are their guitars gorgeous but for a father and son being able to work together is priceless.

I was going to go to bed, very tired, but glad I clicked on this. I am only amateur with guitar, yet have a love for them. It got my whatever, adrenaline(?), going to see two state of the art artisans, luthiers, create such beauty and sonic wonders, and not only that, how profound it is a family tradition, a father and son working together. My sleepiness vanished! I lost track of time and see its 3:15AM! All the one of a kind tools and how easy you make such fine work appear, the every move so disciplined and precise. The end result seems an illusion, like that wood is not wood, like it is something unfound, quarried from rare corner of the earth. That special wood looks or reminds me of agates, or some rare gemstone, not wood it is so deep and iridescent-like with a 3 dimensional quality. Also those guitarists and the beauty of sound that comes from your creations, astounding! I watched the credits for every guitarist's name they are so phenomenal and your guitars sounding so too. The narration is so well done and from the son, and also all the editing right on, and angles and closeups. The videographer/documentarian really knows what they are doing and so synchronized, and even moments where the camera moved right along with the son and the father as they when about their magic. I have to laugh as I like too, and only my amateur view, how you don't really know exactly how they join the neck to the body if I use the terms correctly ha! It's great to keep those secrets, yet maybe just me, that perhaps there is no secret. I think there is a secret because after watching over time other guitar building tours that union of neck and body is very crucial to sound quality -- yet everything is crucial with such profound design and artistry. The shop too and how it took so many years to perfect every phase of building and types of tools and machines needed to do it right and safely. Thanks so much for this experience!

out of curiosity i googled goodall guitars. which led me to their site. which led me to a dealer. which lead me to a price. out of my league, but the craftsmanship is incredible. it makes me feel good to know that this level of care still exists in the manufacturing world. truly an instrument for a master.

This video is a work of art, documenting the construction of a work of art that is used to create works of art.

Gosh. This has to be one of the most soothing, satisfying, gratifying, videos I’ve ever watched. Your total dedication to perfection shines in every aspect…content, videography, narration, music, is all top notch!! Thank you!!

Watched the entire video without being bored even for a second. Exquisite would be an understatement.

I tried a Goodall baritone guitar at Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island about ten years ago. I still remember to this day the feeling of playing that guitar. I can't say that about any other instrument. And I mostly play and teach electric. I don't even have the slightest interest in woodwork! But I sat through this entire video, not at any point looking to see how long the video was. I'm very grateful for people like these two guys doing what they're doing.

Nothing more beautiful than watching craftsmen in work with love, passion and dedication. I learned a new word: book matching. Don't know if it is one word or two. Lol

Absolutely stunning! What craftsmanship! If we all would invest that kind of dedication into our professions, what world would we live in!

We were privileged to tour the Goodall workshop last Friday. What a wonderful, warm and patient family as they showed us (7 of us) the details of guitar construction. Then they allowed me to play their amazing guitars! We spent 5 days vacationing in Ft Bragg. This experience was by far the best part of our trip and it was not even planned (last minute decision). Watching this video was really fun. Hope someday to save enough to purchase a Goodall. The hand of the Lord is in every instrument. Thank you for your gracious hospitality. Blessings and Shalom

The standard you chaps build to is exceptional, and some of the techniques you have very kindly chosen to share with us will come in very handy at some stage. Beautiful woods, beautiful guitars. Great video.

This is as close as one will get to actually having a shop tour and staying for days to witness the completion of a Goodall guitar without being physically present. The voice overs from James and Luke are wonderful! I am fortunate enough to own several Goodall guitars, to have spent time in their Fort Bragg shop and home, and to call them my friends. This video truly shows what master luthiers, actually artists, they are!

I have built cabinets for over 20 years and never seen jigs as ingenious as those. I would love to work in your shop and learn from y'all.

A tradesman works with his hands. A craftsman works with his hands and his head. An artist works with his hands, head, and heart. Beautiful artwork here. You can hear it in their voices.

Watching such beautiful craftsmanship and care and seeing a family work together... It brought a tear to my eye. Thank you for sharing your art with us.

I dare say.... I am so envious of your skill set. I wish I could apprentice somewhere and learn some of these techniques. I"m amazed at how clean and dust free your workshop is. Its pretty clear that you have real pride in your shop and work. Thanks for the video. Wow Wow Wow.... In another life.... I'm in AWE of how impeccably clean and tidy the whole facility is. Works of Art. I might be afraid to play it - for fear of scratching or nicking it. God their beautiful. .... I guess its hard to teach love. You all - clearly love what you do. What a heritage - father and son working together.

Super father and son team and such excellence in skills and workmanship. It really gives a refreshing appreciation of the craftmanship that goes into these guitars. Thanks to all who made this video available. It's really enjoyable to watch.

SO BEUTIFUL... I'M GUITARIST AND GUITAR LUTHIER AND THIS VIDEO MAKE ME HAPPY ...THANKS FOR THIS IT...!!!

I had no idea of the level of artistry put into your guitars. I'm absolutely in awe. Maybe someday I will have one. Thanks for achieving excellence.

This is one of the best videos I've watched in a while. It's a pleasure to watch skilled and passionate individuals creating and inspiring.

Thank you! I needed this... We lived in Kailua 1965-1968, so yesterday I had to order a book of old Hawaiian stories, and one about the three paniolos who competed at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1908, ten years after the US takeover. "Paniolo Soul"... Beautiful guitars and likewise this movie. Mahalo!

This is much more than craftmanship this is pure art and dedication that actually touches me. Cant describe how gorgeus theese guitar looks and sound would love to one day own and play and love one. If only one had the money to buy one. ❤️

Perfectly done, perfect pacing, perfect shots, precious material and perfect craft.

The smallest attention to details , a labor of love start to finish . knowing every jig , type of glue , fret material and various other tools of the trade ......great video .

This is true craftsmanship. I’m a wood worker and feel like I just took a few steps backward in my skill level. Simply beautiful work.

As a musician and a woodworker I just loved this video. You two are real artists in the truest and most pure sense of the word!

The amount of painstaking, highly skilled wood craftsmanship is mind blowing. "Using a chisel to dimension these braces according to the species and model size." Amen brother. Thank you for this beautiful video.

In 200 years you guys will be like Stradivarius. Incredible. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Gosh, that's some of the most beautiful wood grain I've ever seen. Book matched as it is, it's just incredible. And you guys are just absolutely masters at your craft. Such tight tolerances and exacting work. Beautiful process and result, of course.

It’s always a pleasure to watch artists create. Thank you.

finally getting to see all the tasks luke does besides what i catch him doing when i work on the shop... very impressive work guys!!!

the jigs and super specific tools are amazing

wow makes you really appreciate the price a lot more when you understand that this is something that is made with love and craftsmanship like no other! thank you

I've played their parlors - you would think by listening you have a grand concert in your hands. Simply phenomenal machines.

What a privilege to work with family making something so beautiful.

I loved this video! 49 minutes and 17 seconds of dreaming of how amazing it would be to be there and make my own guitar! thank you for this amazing video.

That Koa wall on the guitar you're buffing around 35 minutes in is the most beautiful piece of wood I have ever seen! You're extremely lucky to have access to materials like that at any price.

WOW...BEAUTIFUL WOOD..WONDERFUL WORKMANSHIP!!!

Wao! I just felt in love again! These guitars are truly a pice of beautiful and harmonic art. I will buy one one day.

This is Class A stuff here, even the video, even the background music. It's ALL perfect. Thank you all!!!!

How beautiful to see a son as passionate as his father in attention to detail and a fitting craftsman to ensure his fathers legacy. I'm proud of you Sir.

Absolutely amazing to watch a piece of art in the making ! Incredible craftsmanship, dedication and attention to detail.

Beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

watched from beginning to end. Insane amount of steps!!! Old World master craftsmanship.

SIMPLY GORGEOUS AND INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING from stem to stern. This is beautiful work in a beautiful film of American masters, master craftsmen and musicians! Thank you. arthur.

Just watched the video. 2 guitars a week?! That's pure craftsmanship. Loved it. Even though I don't play the guitar, it gives me a better appreciation for it

Thank you. A pleasure to watch you take such care as you build. Beautiful.

Beautiful instruments, beautiful craftmanship

I love Doug Smith's composition, deft phrasing and wonderful guitar playing. One of the best.

That was a World Class documentary on how to build a perfect guitar. :). The best I have ever seen. Thank you.

Absolutely glorious! Thank you so much for this video and for all the gorgeous guitars you bring into our world

Absolutely stunning, I’d be scared to touch one of those guitars for fear of dropping it now that I see the amount of skilled workmanship that goes into it. Beautiful, thank you so much for sharing 😄👍

As a former custom cabinet maker, I took a lot of pride in my work. I can you tell you these two men, father and son, are masters at their work creating master pieces. At my viewing, 805 dislikes. Some things cannot be explained. Disliking these two men demonstrating their skills is one of those things. Unbelievable.

Wow, what an amazing video.

You guys must be so proud of the work you do and the guitars you produce. What a great video. It is wonderful.

A true work of art...answered so many of my questions, thanks.

Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for creating!

Absolute quality in every aspect. The craftsmanship, the music and the video, superb!

What wonderful dedication to sound and craftsmanship, well done!

Wow, what a treat! So satisfying to see the craftsmanship and artistry you put into these lovely instruments.

i cant even wrap my mind around creating something so beautiful and watching it go out the door. these are masterpieces.

This was probably some of the best RU-vid watching that I have had in sometime. You guys are amazing. I also love all of dad‘s special jigs. Very smart guy Dad!

I'm so proud to own one of your guitars. Someday, another. The video is absolutely great.

Beautiful video and product. So much skill here.

My my, what a beautiful guitar. I really enjoyed watching this. Thank-you for filming it.❤️

I’ve watched this dozen times or more and will continue to watch over and over again its been a dream of mine to be able to build acoustic guitars I love watching anyone build them this video is awesome