There's always something interesting going on in the classes. Since I bought my digital camera, I have been able to document student works-in-progress and those special milestones where they usually say “I can't believe I did that.”

    I have bought the farm - literally a farm in Newport, New Hampshire. It's an old New England style farm house with a huge attached barn. I now have a huge shop with even lots of room for students - even those who are workbench imperialists.

   Three of my students showed up with their guitars on a Saturday, so we got a picture. It was fun doing the A-B-C comparison on them, too, (the guitars, not the students) especially since they are all OMs. Scott's, on the left, has a Euro top, Chris' is Red spruce, and Stu, on the right, used Sitka for his. The guitars are different, but not all that much different.

Stu Classes continue in the new venue. Stu, after a false start caused by a treacherous router, got his bindings done and properly “rubber roped.”
Scott Scott got the strings on his guitar the other night. It's been a long pull (pun intended). Here are some “process” shots.
Rob's Folk Viola    One of the last instruments that got completed in the old shop in Dedham was Rob's upright folk viola. The top is white spruce and the back, sides, and neck are walnut.
   Drew is the kind of high school student who gives me hope for future generations. She has found one of the secrets to becoming a luthier and an adult (not necessarily the same thing). She learns from mistakes and doesn't quit. Her radical solid-body electric guitar is coming along quite nicely and should soon debut in her rock band.

   Mike D. is my other stellar high school student. What is it with these kids? I don't remember being that focused when I was his age.

   Mike's acoustic 12-string is a fine first effort. I hope he has caught the lutherie bug.
Eric    You may have seen and heard Eric's one-man-band act while strolling through Harvard Square. He designs and builds his own instruments. His latest is a more traditional violin. I'm not sure just how he is going to play the fiddle and banjo at the same time.
Mike    Mike, whose day job is house carpenter, is making great progress on his classical guitar. Making something out of wood that isn't plumb or square is a real change of pace for him.
Ken    Ken has come out of retirement to finish his jumbo archtop. This set of pictures shows how he has taken advantage of our more automated neck fitting methods.
Plate Tuning Misha's Archtop    There's been an abundance of archtop building lately. Here's some shots of the plate tuning we have been doing on Misha's life's work.
Vivian    Vivian has been making steady progress on her 12-fret 000, and every once in a while I get the camera out and document it. These shots were taken between Sept. 29 and November 3, 2001.
   Paul has also been keeping busy with his latest visual pun.