"I just want to get it to a place where it can get used to being a guitar... because right now it still thinks it's a tree." This man respects his materials.
Человек уважает свои материалы, как кот свои яйца, они могут их вылизывать вечность. Учится стоит у лучших ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-biWk-QLWY7U.html
At first, I was gonna watch for 5-10 minutes. Well, it's been 50 minutes and I can't believe how entertaining and insightful this is. I don't know if it's just me, but the video has a therapeutic quality to it. It's so calming. Thank you for this, I appreciate my guitar even more now.
"At first, I was gonna watch for 5-10 minutes..." My experience was exactly the same...but I sat there like I was bolted to the chair. Yet always there are those who lack any appreciation of what constitutes real value as evidenced by some of the comments here. Recently I bought a modest new car for my wife...$19485. In less than 10 years it will likely be a rustbucket. The Australian Government bought Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles ...a so -called masterpiece created in a drug-addled state by a suicidal depressive and that Government is now under fire for considering selling it for $350 million dollars. A Greenfield guitar is undoubtedly a masterpiece , could with care survive for hundreds of years , will from day one give the owner and listener immense pleasure and can be had for a comparatively paltry 14,000 dollars give or take. Questions anyone?
"Just a few bits of wood and some glue." Yeah, right. And Leonardo da Vinci just "threw some paint on a canvas." Sir, that is pure artistry... practically magic. Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments. Michael was an awesome person to work with and we were so fortunate that he wanted to collaborate and let us document his work. We shot for 22 seperate days over the summer of 2016 and edited for a few months to make this video. This documentary was entirely self funded by Stereokroma and we hope to continue making equally entertaining and educational videos just like this. Thanks for watching! :-)
I was almost waiting for the part where the roof opens and the lightning bolt sparks the instrument to life. But you yourself provide that spark of life, with your breath, gaze, and touch, knitting together pre-conscious fibers into a sentient thing whose purpose is to vibrate with heavenly resonance. Long may you practice your art, Michael! Knowing that you do this makes the world a little better.
I did not even realise it was an hour long. Pure mastery of the wood working skill called carpentry, as one myself i bow my hat to you sir. I would be happy to reach one tenth of his skill level.
this is the best advertisement i've ever seen. the length, cinematography, sound and editing of a classic feature film. there's a lot of details in it that i just love. that the sound is raw and minimalist then slowly introduces a dreamy melody, only to reveal it's in fact someone playing one of these guitars. the clock buzzing when the 15 minutes is up. there's no doubt after watching this that these guys make the best acoustic guitars. well done to this channel and the company.
"I wanna get this to a state where it can get used to being a guitar because right now it still thinks it's a tree." Lord have mercy. This guy is incredible.
I come back to this video very often. It reminds me to slow down, work my butt off and what a dream job looks or might feel like... I rewatch it, to remind myself. Thank you, Michael and Julian.
I've watched tens of thousands of videos on RU-vid, and this is easily in the top 5 of my favourite videos. The craftsmanship and quality of video is absolutely out of this world. Thank you!
I've been a Luthier since 1980. This man's work in impeccable. His jigs, fixtures and templates are as impressive as his guitars. His tolerances are incredibly tight, checked and checked again. These are tolerances that manufacturers don't come near. Artisan is a word that gets thrown around too often. This is next level.
O- Tay Can you telk me why he chose a laminated rimset instead of solid wood? He takes a solid piece of rosewood, chops it up into layers, and glue the layers together. He says it makes the body more rigid. But doesn't he lose sonic quality with this process?
Generally speaking, people believe that solid (one piece) wood is better than laminated (many thin pieces glued together). And, again generally, very cheap mass produced guitars use laminates and high-quality mass produced guitars use solid wood. The cheap mass-produced guitars use inferior wood - even plywood - while the better quality mass produced guitars use solid Indian rosewood (although other woods may also be used, maple, mahogany etc.). However, forgetting guitar making for a moment, when you're working with wood a general rule of thumb is that pieces of wood glued together are stronger than a single piece of wood (which is why this claim is made in this video); a specific example in the case of guitar making (other than the sides or rim-set) would be the neck. While necks can and are made out of a single piece of wood, a far stronger neck is produced by laminating pieces together (which also improves the appearance, particularly if different woods are used). The reason high-quality mass produced guitars are made (generally speaking) with solid woods is because you can still make an exceptionally fine instrument with this feature. They don't make guitars with laminated sides (which would, all other things being equal, be superior) is because of the extra cost and effort involved (to do it well). Since cheap guitars use laminated sides (without taking the time to do it well and making use of inferior wood) most guitarists believe ALL laminated sides are cheap/bad and solid wood represents the highest quality, and this belief is not the case. Very high-quality luthiers can take the time (since they deservedly charge an appropriate amount for their instruments) to make high-quality laminated sides that are superior to high-quality solid sides. For an example other than the luthier in this video, visit John Bogdanovich's website. John is a well-known maker of high-quality classical guitars and an author (of course on the subject of guitar building) as well. John explains why he makes laminated sides here - www.jsbguitars.com/learn-guitar-making-techniques/laminating/ - and talks about the subject with much more knowledge than I possess. I hope this helped to answer your question.
Peter OCOnnor Thank you very much Sir! Now I know why some luthiers chose laminated sides. Rigidity, durability and less weight. I even listened to the podcast with JSB. I play mainly Country fingerstyle, but now I am beginning to practice Classic and Flamenco. Next year I will go to the Holy Grail guitar show in Berlin to try some of the best guitars and maybe buy one. To find the best for me I need some knowledge. Thanks for helping me.
I have legit watched this about 200 times. I’ve been throwing it on to fall asleep the past years. A perfect documentary. Edit: probably been 400 times now, I can recite a good first chunk of it from memory and I believe I could apprentice for Mr. Greenfield myself with the knowledge I’ve acquired from this video
I really thought this would be a boring video, I was watching it, I did not notice I was watching this for almost an hour. The love that you put in your work is so amusing.
So fucking relatable, if you do any sort of precision work. When you spend this much time on a project, and one small oversight sets you back to square one, you definitely learn to not do that again.
I heard he held on publishing it, so you might want to grab Hyezmar's Woodworking Bible. Even though it's not 100% complete it has some great plans and ideas.
Do I play a guitar? No. Did I just spend an hour of my Saturday watching how one is expertly made? Yes. 151 Just as you did, great video withe no fast forword.
truly beautiful indeed. I may not be able to do things to the degree of normal folks, but when i can find a way to get materials despite my lack of income. I treat them with the utmost respect and treat them with the same love and care i would another person. knowing that its because of the tools and materials i was fortunate enough to have. That i was able to create the craft. I treat nature with an equal level of repsect. For it is responsible for the things i do and for me being able to do what i can despite my seizures. I only wish my family could understand this as well as you and i do.
We're living in a time where mastery and expertise are not as valued as they once were. Just watching this is a great reminder of how important those abilities are.
I recently built a high end electric guitar which turned out so incredible I still can't believe that I created it. But this, an acoustic guitar is so much more of a technical process. And Mr. Greenfields attention to the finest details are mind blowing. Bravo.
Documentaries such as this are light years better than anything on tv. There is something so esthetically pleasing in watching a craftsman explain as he builds a masterpiece instrument.
In addition to the incredible workmanship and attention to detail, I notice the technical equipment he has to help him do the job with exact precision, I’m a violin maker, I don’t have this equipment but I can certainly see how all these jigs, rigs, clamps, power tools, measuring devices and so forth ensure precision. There are months and months involved in setting up a shop like this in addition to the cost, This man is a truly fine artist and craftsman. Thanks for making this video. It gives me greater appreciation of how to use devices to ensure precision. I note also that he works very well with unassisted hand work. Tremendous patience from start to finish. Very very cool
Hi Peter. I saw a man in new Orleans playing a guitar made like this. Was only ten feet or so in front of the stage. Sounded wonderful. Andy McGee is the best I've heard. Such a treat!
I've lost track of how many times i've watched this video over the years. Still one of my favorites, even with the sound off... just the craftsmanship... I'll always admire.
I am blown away by Mr Greenfield. His precision, love , passion, attention to details and shaped by music. In other words - his pride is present but not ego. The instrument is supreme. Not his name. For the first time - his prices seemed justified and did not seem expensive or insane. Salutation to you Sir. As an flute maker - I learnt so much. I emerged not only wiser but a bigger human being.
To say a guitar player bonds with their instrument is a understatement. We feel the work it took in transporting all the raw materials into a conduit for our creativity.
when i was a kid my dad hung me a rope swing in the woods on this mammoth silver maple, when i was a teen my dad fell the tree, milled it to luber and built jigs and put together a body out of it and fitted the neck of my first guitar to it. It has been more of a conversation piece thru the year collecting dust. as beautiful as the wood is will the very distinct spalding patterns, it never really played or sounded good. Now as a 28 year old and a long lost passion for wood AND music I have been obsessing over luthier skills and tricks of the trade. This soundboard was Ridulously over built by the old man. Thru watching video i found the flaws in my dads very basic design. the guitar was so dense sounding and lacked projection. I now understand the attributes of the tone woods, i understand the different modes of vibrations and resonant frequencies BECAUSE OF MEN LIKE YOU SHARING THE PASSION!!!! The tree i grew up playing on now sits on my work bench and will make beautiful music soon with a new bridge, new back, revoiced to get more monopole bass response, and it will be passed down to my son whenever he is ready. I strive to be a craftsman like you. working on wood in general by hand is a dying art. craftsman like you give us hope
+Matthew - I turned 73 the 2nd of this month - BUT - in the 70's and 80's - if you could pulverize it, I'd put it up my nose - subsequently, the nickname - Terrible Huh? --- Snortin' Morton
I've recently started to play the guitar again after many years of not playing. Watching amazing guitarist play and share their knowledge has been inspirational. To watch the unbelievable craftsmanship here is as inspirational. Truly amazing.
I grew up around Montreal and had never heard of him before... Absolutely loved every second of it! Nobody builds guitars by hand from start to finish anymore... even less so with this level of care and precision... Masterful!
There are actually dozens of artisans in the province who make exceptional guitars: flattops, archtops and classical. Check for next fall's edition of www.sonorefestival.ca.
Probably one of the only real craftsman worthy of being called a Luthier. Almost entirely hand made and deadly accurate. Highly skilled and dedicated to his craft. Each detail handled with precision and know how. Built with conviction and experience every step of the way. A true master in every aspect. Flawless.
I am a woodworker of many years experience and an avid follower of RU-vid, and I have NEVER seen a woodworking video so detailed, informative and professionally made. Thank you so much meastro.
This is probably one of my favorite things that I have ever watched I don’t really know who to talk to about this sort of thing, so I’m just going to openly plead here... Someone please give this guy a Netflix series!! 😧
Yeah. Now I’m in trouble. I was supposed to be cleaning the apartment. This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Truly a master guitar maker.
Enjoyed this film very much. I want to express my sincere appreciation of the craftmanship and perfection of Greenfield's guitar making . Love the sublime sound and appearance of GREENFIELD guitars.
I imagined to smell the workshop. This incredible craftsmanship is so inspiring. Making me think more about the next steps of building my jazzmaster solidbody. Thank you Stereokroma and thank you Mr. Greenfield.
佟伟 Same boat here. Just finished and it's 3 in the morning. I need to be up in a few hours but this was amazing and perfect. I hope I can get one of these one day.
The best video I have watched all year ---and no crappy rapping music in the background. I made my first acoustic guitar when I was at school in Croydon during evening classes (Lanfranc secondary 1967). I was 12 years old but obviously nowhere to this standard. My woodwork teacher was called Mr Nash. It inspired me to become a toolmaker and specialised in plastic injection mould tools---a career that lasted for 46 years but the wages were crap for the skill level needed and after being made redundant for the 7th time I gave up. There is not a lack of skills in the UK ; just a lack of jobs that require skilled craftsmen. My only regret is that I was never the arty type so never learned to play an instrument. Once again full credit to these couple of guys.
It is a pity that craftsmanship is being less and less valued. Other careers gain more prestige in which people jump in only for revenue, but without the real fulfillment of crafting stuff, creating physical objects that people would appreciate, directly or indirectly. I fear the day that no one would remember how to do things by hand and rely only in automated machinery.
Probably one of the best hours of entertainment available on RU-vid! A true work of art on all accounts. Excellent video production and sound quality. Perfectly displaying a master craftsman and his craft.
I probably would not have sat down an hour to watch if I checked the length of the video first. Thank god I didn't cause I couldn't stop watching it. Totally awesome! Massive Thanks for Sharing!
Did I enjoy this video? It was fantastic. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and this artwork is perfection. Hats off to Greenfield Guitars. The Virtuoso's must appreciate the quality of sound your craft can produce.
you just witnessed a Stradivarius being created . how could anyone give this a negative rating . i wish i had the wood working skill to create something like this . this video shows a true artiest and craftsman at work . 1 hour of my life spent in excellence
I could not agree more. To dislike any aspect of this video is profoundly disrespectful. I cannot even remember how I landed here but I play the guitar (terribly) and I'm a half decent amateur wood worker.... I sat in awe of this man's craft. His attention to detail and precision. His deep understanding and respect for his materials. That is easily one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen and one of the most down-to-earth master craftsmen. "No guitar will ever leave my workbench, unless I feel it is the best work I am capable of" ..... An hour of excellence, indeed.
While I certainly don't agree with this Johnson guy, I also don't agree with the Stradivarius comment. Michael is absolutely incredible, but he has a significant advantage over Stradivarius, which is modern day machining and tools. Michael certainly does use a lot of hand tools, but for precise work, he's using tools that can and do measure down to a thousand of an inch. Stradivarius did not have this advantage, nor did he have the advantage of power tools, which speaks volumes of the absolute insane craftsmanship of Stradivarius. This is a major reason why Michael sells his instruments for $15-20k USD, while Stradivarius instruments go for, you know, literal millions. Again, not trying to downplay Michael at all here, but the comparison isn't fair. It's like saying Euler was slow at math compared to a home PC.
I was mesmerized for a complete hour, not only by the extraordinary craftmanship shown in the video, but by the general soothing atmosphere in which they work. It has been an out of this world experience.
Fascinating hour of instruction! I tried building an acoustic a few years ago, and thought it sounded okay and looked like something only its mother could love, I have yearned to know more about building guitars!! Thank you so much for this video!
This is dedication in making a masterpiece! This much mechanical accuracy, I have hardly seen done by precision automatic tools. It's like watching a beautiful ballet of craftsmanship.
holy shit. This guy is an artist, the work here is far beyond my capabilities to describe how good it is. The detail, the finish is just mind blowing. Michael, you sir, are a true artist and master of your craft. I wish I had the superlatives to do your work justice.
I feel great pride in the human being in this beautiful world with so much evil, and can do wonders with such beautiful and perfect Guitars, congratulations friends, hugs.
both the film and the guitar making process show passion in the respective fields. I love woodworking and I'm studying film making so this couldn't be more perfect
As a Guitar player and woodworker, I must say that your presentation was brilliant and Im sure, if I had the money, would buy one of your guitars. Long live the patient Craftsman.
Not to many craftsmen left these days. The true craftsmanship of this, the attention to all aspects of what it is and what it is supposed to do, is superb. From look to function it is beautiful from everything I can tell, a mixture of old tooling, new tooling and technology melded together into a beautiful work of art.
Just like diamonds take eons, and a perfect environment to grow, these guitars are just as fabulous jewels of perfection. As this video unfolds, it becomes more and more emotional to see the birthing of those amazing guitars under your marvelous craftsmanship, devotion and love of your work. Congratulations to the entire team. I was much moved while watching this video. Thank you for sharing your passion!
This is the spirit and essence of true craftsmanship. The amount of detail and sheer attention that goes into every Greenfield guitar is just amazing, and they don't just look pretty but sound magical. What an amazing video!
I’m not a luthier. But I could complete my first ever violin 🎻 project. Without people like you on RU-vid it wouldn’t be possible. Now I’m thinking about making a guitar 🎸. Good tutorial. ❤️💙
Wowwwwwwwww man, I´m from Brazil and I grow up in a furniture factory, but i always loved music instruments, I really would like to learn how to do it, its a art, its something that i can´t describe, but here in my town i don´t have nobody to teach me somethging, but maybe one day i can make a instrument, and you for me its a inspiration, congratulations you are a great artist.
It is so marvelous! It is the art in the pure, natural, and raw materials! I enjoyed a lot watching the entire video. I am sharing amazing related videos here too bit.ly/2zRiBbf
I own a gianini guitar that was made in brazil back in the 60s. it's one of my prized possessions. it's sort of a tear drop shaped acoustic guitar. I don't think it's actually worth much money but I do still love it. it sounds great.
This depicts the pinnacle of guitar Craftsmanship. Watching this production was akin to years of hands on experence for me. Video was Expertly crafted in all dimensions. A little overwhelmed by it.....
So nice to see real craftsmanship in the world of today, these guitars are functional art made especially for those who take the time to practice the art of real music. Absolutely beautiful to see& hear. Thank you so much for posting this !
A consumate artisan of the acoustic guitar i have had the pleasure of playing a greenfield acoustic guitar and can say they are of the finest quality this is the type of guitar for the acoustic guitar player you purchase a greenfield because you need an instrument that speaks to your heart and soul this man and his apprentice build these guitars with these emotional dynamics nough said.
I've watched this probably more than 5 times and still this amazes me every time. The craftsmanship is superb, materials are out of this world, and the end result is really a work of art. ❤ ..this video is therapeutic even..
Yes, this was my second time watching it, it is truly amazing :) The level of craftsmanship on display here is very inspiring and wonderful to look at!
Geeeeez If I could only play well enough to fully appreciate and complement the outstanding efforts towards producing such beautiful instruments as Mr Greenfield has I would be a Mastro Instead Im a bum
Set up work is always the vast majority of the work. Seeing as you have jigs for almost every step of the guitar building process, it really shows how much thought and work has gone in to honing your craft. Very well done.
I work with wood too , but I make them into RC Tanks ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ugs-8MU29P4.html or ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-U5y4PG-WmAE.html
Wow, that was absolutely brilliant, I am a Carpenter and I could really appreciate your craftsmanship, I see your passion for your work and it shows in such a beautiful instrument you produce. Your skills in shaping and sanding and your tools are in amazing condition. Thank you for sharing your craft. I loved that.
I'm also a Carpenter Ross and decided that this was something that I wanted to do and wasn't waiting until my retirement, so I took the opportunity and went to a Guitar making course, I really recommend it! Many of the guys in the class weren't woodworkers and most of them turned out a really nice Guitar.
