Official Luthiers Forum!

Last week I bought the O'Brien Classic Guitar Building course for $107. Best $107 I've spent in a long long time. I've watched and downloaded the entire 25+ hours of videos. I don't know if I ever will build a classic guitar, but most of the building and finishing techniques also apply to steel string guitars. It takes 25 hours for the course because O'Brien shows almost all the steps in real time. All except the glue drying time.
I'm a relative novice at guitar building. I'm starting my eighth guitar now and I've built a bunch of banjos. O'Brien's instructions have added a new layer of logic and continuity to my thinking about guitar building.
I especially liked the french polishing section. I recently decided that french polishing was my finishing method of choice for guitars. I've FP'd two guitars so far. I've watched at least 10 online videos on FP and averaged them out to come up with my own technique. Parts of my technique worked pretty good and parts not so good. Since watching O'Brien's videos, I now understand why my methods worked or didn't work so well.

So, my recommendation is to buy the course before the price goes up to the regular price of $167. Robbie is not my cousin and I am not getting any payment for this recommendation.

And when he finishes the steel string course, I want to be first in line to buy it.
Dan

I've been teetering on buying the course, particularily for the french polishing part, but my card number has been misused by someone in foreign parts, and I've had to have it cut off by the bank yesterday - 5 working days from yesterday until I get it!!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

wow Dan! Thanks for the positive endorsement. I am glad you are finding the videos useful.
For those on the fence, the last day to get the promo price is tomorrow.

Thanks for the reminder, Robbie, signed up today to get in on the last day of the promo deal.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

I also purchased Robbie's online course and have viewed the majority lesson. I am very impressed with both the information and the presentation. The step by step instructions or very clear and informative. He covers several topics that I have heard about but have not seen any information on how to accomplish the task. I am sure this information will help me take the next step in improving my skills.

Thanks Robbie.

BTW the price is very affordable.

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EddieLee

Thanks guys!! I am gad you are enjoying the video lessons.

Happy Building!

Hey Robbie, I purchased and downloaded most of the video's, but today I'm signed on and only getting the 20 second clips with the option to purchase.

Any help available?
Steve

-edit-
BTW - for anyone who has not purchased this course - DO IT! The French Polish section alone is worth the price - even at the new price.

I've been through all courses (some twice).

I just sent you a PM Steve.

It is very good,
The awareness of potential mistakes ( among other things) is a big plus for me.
RonaldD