What we’ve been working on here in the Somogyi workshop.

We gradually thinned down the wood, flexing and feeling the stiffness as we went, while Ervin explained his thoughts and I had the opportunity to ask questions.

Chris Morimoto gave some excellent advice, which was something along the lines of - “Don’t look at other guitars for inspiration, instead look at everything else.” With that in mind, I went digging through Ervin’s extensive collection of books in search of an idea.

There were a bunch of guitar tops, numbered and laid out it order. Written instructions guided us between the different pieces of wood, and directed us to interact with them in specific ways. Look at them, feel the texture, flex them in different directions, tap on them and listen to the response.

There are many projects in progress, and this week I’ve been participating in those as I’m able. Ervin is here in the afternoons, and is available to talk with and ask questions. My days have been full, with regular work hours spent learning by working on Ervins projects, and most of the rest of the time taken up by my own projects.

Here is my new home for the next two years. The legendary Ervin Somogyi workshop.

I was sleeping on a couch in one of the spare rooms of the workshop. What a surreal experience, being there, in the epicentre. Having the privilege of meeting Ervin Somogyi, someone I’ve looked up to for a long time, as well as talking to and meeting some of my other guitar building heroes in his former apprentices, was truly special.

On the bottom of the contact page of Ervin Somogyi’s website, he has a section titled Apprenticeship Opportunities. While looking there for a different reason, I saw that and it got me thinking. I decided to write and enquire about it. I heard back from Ervin, the first steps were some references, some photos of my work, and a letter about myself. Here is that letter:

Before starting the apprenticeship with Ervin Somogyi, I was building guitars in New Zealand under the name Hamurana Guitar Works.