The Apprenticeship Interview
After sending in my references and letter, the next step was a two week long interview. The purpose of this was to enable Ervin and I to determine if we were a good fit for each other, and for the apprenticeship position. This required me to travel from New Zealand to the US, and stay for two weeks at the Somogyi workshop. Ervin also requested that I bring along a guitar that I made.
I arrived at the workshop and was greeted by Louis Manteau, who was there doing his apprenticeship. Before long, Ervin showed up, and straight away he asked to see the guitar that I brought, and for me to play something for him.
After talking with Ervin for a bit, I got the first challenge, which was to take an oddly shaped chunk of Mahogany and make it into a perfect 3 inch cube, just with hand tools.
Here’s the piece of wood I was given, and asked to make into a cube. I could take as much time as necessary, but I had to use only hand tools.
My finished cube.
There were several other tasks I was given over the two weeks, designed to test my hand skills and problem solving. I also spent a lot of time talking with Ervin about guitars, life, and everything in between. Ervin loves a good (or bad) joke, so if you’re going to meet him, I suggest you come prepared with a few jokes.
During the two week interview, I also had the chance to talk with some former apprentices. This helped me to get a sense of the experience and if it would be a good fit for me. I was even lucky enough to visit the workshops of Leo Buendia, and Michi Matsuda, who are not too far away from the Somogyi workshop.
I was sleeping on a couch in one of the spare rooms of the workshop. What a surreal experience, being there, in the epicentre. Having the privilege of meeting Ervin Somogyi, someone I’ve looked up to for a long time, as well as talking to and meeting some of my other guitar building heroes in his former apprentices, was truly special.
At the end of the two weeks, the only thing left was to tell each other if we wanted to go ahead with the apprenticeship. We both said yes, agreed on a rough start date, and a two year commitment.
Being interviewed can be an uncomfortable and challenging experience. Going there was definitely outside of my comfort zone, and I’m sure the apprenticeship will be even more so. I hope that is the case.