THE EXPERIENCE

Agenda: Day 1

Orientation to the Guitar

8:00–9:00AM

Deep Diagnostic Evaluation (see the downloadable checklist)

  • Verbal history (model, age, care, service, usage)
  • Structural Analysis (top and back plate, bridge, neck, bracing)
  • Playability (tuning accuracy, action, fret wear)
  • Musicality (modes, frequency response, mobility, modal tuning)

The Systematic Inventive Thinking Method

9:00AM–12:00PM

Principles

  • Constraints
  • Function Follows Form
  • Fixedness
  • Closed World

Techniques

  • Subtraction
  • Task Unification
  • Multiplication
  • Division
  • Attribute Dependency

Lunch & Review

12:00–1:00PM

Application & Ideation

1:00–4:00PM

Subtraction
Task Unification
Multiplication
Division
Attribute Dependency

The Systematic Inventive Thinking Method

4:00–5:00PM

Review of the top ideas
Convergence on key themes
Potential Concept Candidates

Agenda: Day 2

Concept Development

8:00AM–12:00PM

Feasability
Design
Project Development Roadmap
Customized Guitar Build – Selection & Specifications

  • Body Style
  • Scale Length
  • Preferred Woods
  • Other design elements

Adjourn

12:00PM

DIAGNOSTIC

To kick off the experience, we will conduct a thorough diagnostic of a guitar (one of yours or mine) to create a complete profile – the structural aspects, the playability of the guitar, and its acoustic signature – the musicality of the instrument. This is meant to deepen your understanding of how a guitar works, how it’s built, and how it can be improved.

Verbal History

The diagnostic starts with a short verbal history of the guitar.
  • Type, Brand, Model
  • Age
  • Where purchased
  • Satisfaction/Concerns
  • Repair/service history
  • Type of music played

playability

We’ll then explore Playability which measures how easy and satisfying the guitar is to play.
  • Tuning accuracy – Pederson Strobosoft
  • Action – measure string height
  • Fret wear
  • Clean top and fretboard

musicality

We’ll then explore Playability which measures how easy and satisfying the guitar is to play.
  • Chladni patterns
  • Frequency Response Curve with Signalscope
    • Wolf notes
  • Monopole Mobility with jig (versus other models)
  • Modal Tuning Potential
    • Add weight – bridge pins
    • Reduce weight – shave bridge
    • Reduce rigidity

structural aspects

Next is a thorough study of the Structural aspects, inside and outside the guitar.
  • Top plate check
  • Bridge check
  • Neck check
  • Peg head and tuner check
  • Nut and saddle check
  • Top deflection angle with jig
  • Scope the inside
    • Bracing style
    • Scalloping
    • Brace ends
    • Linings
    • Bridge plate
    • Back bracing
  • Top and back thickness with MagicProbe
    • At edges of lower bout
    • Plot several points
  • Moisture in wood
This deep dive creates a total profile of the guitar. It’s also an effective way to prime our thinking just before we apply structured creativity techniques. It makes us more open and sensitive to seeing new sources of value in a guitar – how it’s made and played.

DIAGNOSTIC

To kick off the experience, we will conduct a thorough diagnostic of a guitar (one of yours or mine) to create a complete profile – the structural aspects, the playability of the guitar, and its acoustic signature – the musicality of the instrument. This is meant to deepen your understanding of how a guitar works, how it’s built, and how it can be improved.

YOUR CUSTOM GUITAR

Body Styles

Body Styles

  • OM
  • Dreadnaught
 Woods

Woods

 Bracing

Bracing

 Scale Length

Scale Length

 Tuning Machines

Tuning Machines

 French Polish Finish

French Polish Finish
Body Styles

Body Styles

  • OM
  • Dreadnaught
 Woods

Woods

 Bracing

Bracing

 Scale Length

Scale Length

 Tuning Machines

Tuning Machines

 French Polish Finish

French Polish Finish

our luthiers

Dave

Dave ryer

Dave has a deep appreciation for fine woodworking, especially as it applies to musical instruments. He began his luthier career in the late 1980s repairing stringed instruments. He then trained under renowned luthier, Sergei de Jonge in 2000 and again, years later, completed an extensive 2 year apprenticeship with him. Dave focuses on the art and craft of building majestic instruments, rich in detail, technologically advanced and yet, so simple. For Dave, guitar building is a life-long labour of love where the learning never stops.
tips-du-jour

robbie o’brien

 Robert “Robbie” O’Brien began his guitar building career in São Paulo, Brazil in 1997. For three years, Robbie built classical guitars under Antonio Tessarin, who remains one of Brazil’s most highly sought after luthiers. While still living in Brazil and upon returning to the United States, Robbie studied acoustic guitar building under Kent Everett in Atlanta, GA. He has also studied in Spain with renowned classical guitar builder José Romanillos. One of Robbie’s greatest passions in lutherie is teaching. He has taught in Taiwan, Spain, Canada, Brazil and the United States, including at the world renowned Marc Adams School of Woodworking. He offers building and finishing classes, as well as master classes, adding other renowned luthiers to the teaching roster as well. 
drew-boyd-square

drew boyd

Drew Boyd is the world’s leading practitioner of the creativity method called Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT for short). He teaches creativity methods and innovations to globally-recognized companies and organizations to help them succeed. He teaches it to groups ranging from 10 to 1000. Now, he’s going to teach it to you – one-on-one – in an intensive day and half program to give you the opportunity to master this essential skill – creative thinking.

Interested ?