Robbie O’Brien
This time we are going to Colorado and talk to Robbie O’Brien.
-Do you play guitar? Yes.
-What style do you like to play or listen to? I play classical guitar and also love the Brazilian
repertoire, waltzes, chorsus etc. I listen to everything.
-Do you build new or also repair guitars? I mostly build new guitars but also do some repair work.
-What inspired you to get started in building guitars? I was living in Brazil. I play and also am a woodworker so I decided to put the two together and build guitars
-How long have you been building guitars? About 14 years now. My how time flies!
-Did you learn on your own, books or went to a school? . I was lucky enough to run into Antonio Tessarin while living in Brazil. He is one of the best luthiers I know. He taught me the art of classical guitar making. I learned steel string building from Kent Everett. When I started building guitars there wasn’t as much information available as there is today so you had to find someone to teach you. I learned a lot from my mistakes too so you could say I am self taught in that respect. Haha
I am continuously learning. I read a lot and spend a lot of time on the internet always update my data bank
of information.
-Do you have a big shop? I have around 1000 sq. ft in my personal shop. At Red Rocks Community College, where I head up the Fine Woodworking and Lutherie department I have more space than I could ever use. I am lucky that I have my personal shop and the school shop to work in.
-Tell me a little about your shop and the tools you use? My personal shop is very functional. A lot of thought needs to go into shop design and layout. I have all the jigs and machinery necessary to build with but I also enjoy using hand tools doing it the old fashion way. I built my own work bench so that it specifically suits my guitar building needs.
-Which is your favorite guitar that you build? I prefer building classical guitars. I believe they are more challenging.
-Which part of the building process do you like the most? The soundboard bracing process is fun and I also like the neck carving process, believe it or not.
-What is your least favorite process? Thicknessing sides and backs and finish sanding.
-What is your favorite wood you like to work with? I have worked with a lot of Brazilian rosewood over the years but my favorite back and side wood is Indian Rosewood. I really like the cedar top sound on a classical but am comfortable working with Spruce as well.
-Tell me more about your guitar(s), and why they are so unique. My guitars are known for being very easy to play. They almost play themselves. They are lightly built and very even from bass to treble. I also use a modern approach to the traditional Tornavoz. In my opinion the sound is more focused using the tornavoz. I also enjoy the results of the soundport I use which is a shamrock design.
-Do you have an email address or phone for those that would like to purchase your
guitar? www.obrienguitars.com 720-352-8647
-Do you have anything to add for those that are interested in building guitars? Not only do I build guitars but I also teach guitar building. At the college I personally teach over 30 students per semester, in a variety of classes, how to build and finish classical and steel string guitars. I also teach private one on one courses in my personal shop.
I have an online classical guitar building course available on my website and will soon be completing a steel string online course which will also be available on my website.
I offer free information via Youtube in my very popular Luthier Tips du Jour video series. So, the information is out there folks. You just have to do your homework and start building. You have to build guitars! A lot of guitars! Just having tools doesn’t make you a luthier though. The bar is high so don’t settle for mediocrity.
-Do you have anything else you want to add about yourself and the guitars you build? Guitar building for me is a labor of love, a passion and even an obsession. I am so blessed that I am able to make a living building guitars and teaching the art to others. Happy Building!
I want to thank Robbie for his time and input, as you may have noticed Robbie also heads up the fine woodworking and the Luthier department at Red Rock Community College, we will talk about the school next time.
