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Greg Byers -
Building a Modern
Classical Guitar
2002
Dates: Aug
5 - 10
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Greg
Byers is a great example of the ASL master class instructor; a seasoned
professional whose understanding of the instrument and whose very
effective personal techniques are worth sharing to further enrich
the craft. If you have been curious about exploring today's
popular raised fretboard style of construction but haven't known where
to start, this is your opportunity to have a modern master show you
how. Greg will build a complete instrument and he will discuss
his work thoroughly as he builds. |
 Greg
Byers' guitars are
respected
and sought after by serious classical
musicians all over the world. Besides his instruments'
well-known playing and performing qualities, Greg's work is famous
for a few characteristic features that he really 'owns'; his
refined approach to the raised fretboard, his strikingly handsome
hand-made marquetry, and his systematic approach to near
perfect intonation.
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As
Greg builds a guitar in this master class, these details and
issues
get lots of attention. Students
have an opportunity for hands-on practice of both Greg's methods for
creating distinctive trim marquetry, and his French polishing
technique, under his personal supervision. |
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 In
his work he combines classic old-world woodworking
techniques, i.e. French polish and hand tools, with modern devices, i.e.
universal side bender and vacuum technology, and power tools; 19th
century ideas (mostly Torres) about bracing and thicknesses with 21st
century ideas about intonation and frequency spectrum analysis. In
fact, his elevated fingerboard design is a modern variant of a very old
idea. Pretty typical of how many luthiers' work.
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INSTRUCTOR'S
BIO:
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Greg
came of age during the ferment of the '60s and, like so many of his
generation, he tried many paths before finding the road he now travels.
After a number of years as a stoneware potter in the '70s he returned
to school to major in biology and eventually earned a PhD in ecology
and evolutionary biology. In 1979, while on a scientific sojourn
in Puerto Rico, Greg was stimulated by the work of a guitar maker
named Velasquez and upon returning to the US he began building his
first guitar. |
| He soon found himself attending a workshop with
José Romanillos at "Guitar 81" in Toronto. Inspired
by his great humanity, Greg set his sites on a career in lutherie
and never looked back. He now lives in rural northern California
with his wife and two boys, where he makes about 12 classical guitars
a year. Meet Greg and see his work at
www.byersguitars.com
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To
reserve a spot in this class, print out, complete and mail in the
registration form
along with your tuition deposit. Tuition
for this 6-day workshop is $1000 - tuition deposit is $200.
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