Official Luthiers Forum!

Robbie,

I know you don't need a rookie like me reviewing your DVD but I received it in the mail today and think it's AWESOME. I've only had the time to go through a couple chapters and I swear it's already paid for itself in some of the new techniques you introduced. Two big ideas that are really going to help me is your technique of cutting out the headstock pattern with your drillpress, and using a tablesaw to cut the side slots in the heel block. Those are two areas I really needed help with and using your techniques it should be a piece of cake. I can't wait to actually sit down for 3 hours and watch the entire DVD.

As an administrative note, the picture quality is excellent as is the audio quality. I had to ask my buddy from Wisconsin what a scosh was, but he was able to clear it up. For all those looking for another great reference, buy Robbie's DVD. It's a great compliment to the Cumpiano book, especially for some alternative techniques to the traditional spanish way of building.

Put me on your list for your steel-string DVD. I might actually have the guts to try a steel-string now.

Cheers!

John

John,
Thanks for the great review. All I can say is that the steel string is much better because the pictures were taken by me! There are a lot more pictures, and the quality is even better! I didn't work on the Classical Guitar DVD, but I just got my copy too, and I love it!
Tracy

Robbie what a great video. I am going to make a classical and with the in depth study of this, I know I will suceed. Looking forward to the steel string version. Hopefully can make the Red Rock class if not this time the next one. Can't wait to see home (Denver) although a west sloper when raised.    wanting to get into building can't go wrong here and doing a classical you can't go wrong here

Hey John,

I am glad you liked the DVD. You are exactly the type of person I want to critique my DVD. I tried to make it as easy as possible for anyone to build a classical guitar. I think with the simple methods and techniques I outline here anyone can do it. The method of cutting out the peghead is a very simple but effective way of doing this. It is also very safe as opposed to using a router. It also allows you to do tighter radii than a router bit so the possibility of shapes is almost limitless. I use the same method on my steel string guitars for intricate shapes. Good luck with it and if you should have any questions about steps in the DVD let me know.

One more thing John,
Check the reference section of the DVD for the exact measurement of a "skoshe"

Stan,

Thanks for the great endorsement! I really appreciate it. I believe you will have no problem making your classical guitar as the steps are very in depth and straight forward with a picture and audio for each one.
Send me pictures of the finished product.
LMI put the rush on me for the steel string version as it will be featured in their new catalogue. It should be ready to go in a few more weeks.
HOpe you can make it for my class at Red Rocks. That would be great!

Robbie,

I was going to wait until payday to order the dvd, but after the great reviews, I just ordered it. Can't wait, by payday I could have learned a bunch from the dvd!

Looking forward to watching it.

Thank you.

Jeff

Robbie, do you have a pre-order list for the steel string version?

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Dave,

I am still about 4 weeks out on the Steel string version. It should be done by the 28th of this month but then I have duplication and packaging and this takes about 2 weeks to complete. I will get a pre-order list out shortly.

Did you contact StewMac about carrying it? Or did you give LMI the exclusive?

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Very good question.

I did contact Stew Mac and never heard back from them. I contacted Allied and had some conversations with them. At first they sounded interested and wanted some of their jigs featured but couldn't have their prototype ready to go in time. Guitarjigs.com and Mark Kett have a feature in the DVD. LMI was interested from the start and has been wonderful to work with.

Here is something else interesting: I contacted Lance about mentioning the forum in both DVD's. He immediatley responded and was very pleased with the idea.
I also contacted the MIMF on three different occasions. The first time I told them about my project and asked if they would be interested in being mentioned in the dvd. I never heard from them. The second time I asked to buy ad space on their forum and asked for their input as to how best to do this. I never heard from them. The third time I politely said, Every guitar kit that LMI sells from here on out will have a copy of my DVD in it. I am still willing to mention the MIMF in the DVD but this time I want the ad space for free. Once again, I heard nothing from them. Their silence says a lot in my opinion. That is why I am here on the OLF and made the switch long before I conceived my DVD projects.
Thanks again for a great forum Lance!

That's odd, to me. Almost seems like Deb's simply not getting your e-mails more than anything else.

Robbie... that really doesn't surprise me....

I will PM you.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Wow! The response about my DVD has been overwhelming. Thanks a miliion to those who have purchased it. I would like to put some of the feedback up on my website. If anyone objects to having your comments on my site please let me know.

Just another observation about the DVD...Lance get ready to get a lot more traffic to this forum, as this DVD and the steel string DVD will be included in every kit LMI sells. The OLF is listed as a resource. We may even pass up the MIMF! That is pretty exciting. Also, I hope my previous comment did not discourage any one from buying this DVD as opposed to the steel string, both are great products, and equally good. Congrats Robbie!
Tracy

Just a question about the the steel string DVD. What type of guitar is built on the DVD? OM? "000" Dreadnaught?

[QUOTE=Robbie O'Brien] Very good question.

I did contact Stew Mac and never heard back from them. I contacted Allied and had some conversations with them. At first they sounded interested and wanted some of their jigs featured but couldn't have their prototype ready to go in time. Guitarjigs.com and Mark Kett have a feature in the DVD. LMI was interested from the start and has been wonderful to work with.

Here is something else interesting: I contacted Lance about mentioning the forum in both DVD's. He immediatley responded and was very pleased with the idea.
I also contacted the MIMF on three different occasions. The first time I told them about my project and asked if they would be interested in being mentioned in the dvd. I never heard from them. The second time I asked to buy ad space on their forum and asked for their input as to how best to do this. I never heard from them. The third time I politely said, Every guitar kit that LMI sells from here on out will have a copy of my DVD in it. I am still willing to mention the MIMF in the DVD but this time I want the ad space for free. Once again, I heard nothing from them. Their silence says a lot in my opinion. That is why I am here on the OLF and made the switch long before I conceived my DVD projects.
Thanks again for a great forum Lance![/QUOTE]


Whoa! I am amazed. But then, maybe not. It's too bad but then, as far as I'm concerned, everything happens for a reason!

I recieved my copy today but I'm afraid to put it in! I may lose more sleep and I slept lousy last night!

Instead, I'll view it at work tomorrow!   

Regards, Steve Brown

It is an OM.

Robbie,

Are the plans you use for the DVD the same ones that LMI includes in their kit? Are full sized plans available?

Only watched about half an hour of the DVD so far. So far its great and would recommend it.

Thanks,

Joe Volin

Joe,

I build a guitar in the dvd from a classical kit from LMI. I use their plans but adapt them to my specs. I giver my measurements in the DVD for braces, top, back and side thickness etc. I also use a Fleta fan design for bracing the top in the DVD. LMI's plans call for a different design.
There are a set of plans in PDF format available on my website. They are not to scale but just for you to get measurements from.

Tom,

In the steel string DVD I build an OM style guitar. However the methods and techniques I use can be used for another style guitar as well.

Robbie, Is the DVD "still photo's" with audio? Or is it video?

I have the DVD and watched about 45 minutes of it so far. Its still photos with a voice over. It's very effective. The photographs key into what he is explaining so that you can hear the explanation and see the critical steps that he is making. I've seen a few other guitar making videos and at first thought the still photos would not be as good. As he went along I noticed that the most important stuff is in the photograph instead of watching someone get ready to do what they are explaining. The way Robbie is presenting the material with the still photos is every bit as good, and in some cases, better than the other videos I've seen. That's not to knock the others, I just think that a lot of people have good ideas and different ways of presenting information and have picked up alot of good info so far with his approach.

Joe Volin

Thanks for clearing that up Joe. I was confused as to the format of the DVD. I think it should be called "Book on DVD". :)
I will probably order the Steel String when it comes out. Thanks again.

Joe, you sold me. I just bought the Classical DVD. Thanks