What’s it like to be an Ervin Somogyi Apprentice? My first week.
I’m writing this on Friday evening, one week after arriving at the Somogyi workshop. It feels like I’ve been here longer than that, with the amount of new stuff to absorb. It’s going to take a bit of time to adapt to the setup and workflow here. Living at the shop, all I have to do is walk downstairs to be at work. There are many projects in progress, and this week I’ve been participating in those as I’m able. Ervin is here in the afternoons, and is available to talk with and ask questions. My days have been full, with regular work hours spent learning by working on Ervins projects, and most of the rest of the time taken up by my own projects. Aside from Ervin, there is Chris Morimoto, Louis Manteau, and Andrew all working here. They have all been extremely helpful and patient with answering my questions and showing me things.
Here is my bedroom, you might recognise the tops on the wall from The Responsive Guitar books.
My first task when I arrived was to clean a bunch of sanding belts.
Then I moved on to making some Osage neck blanks.
Ervin Somogyi’s jig for drilling holes which will create the curve of the heel and volute.
Working on the design for my first build here at the Somogyi workshop.
Cooking in the Somogyi kitchen. I’m trying to keep up some healthy routines.
Ervin Somogyi’s work room.
Glueing the back onto an Ervin Somogyi classical guitar.
Then trimming the Brazilian Rosewood back.
Bending Brazilian Rosewood sides with Andrew. On this OM build I’ll be able to learn the Somogyi process for rim assembly.
Brazilian rosewood sides in the Somogyi bending jig.
The Somogyi process involves laminating two side layers together for a more rigid construction. On this build, it’s Brazilian Rosewood on the outside, and Padauk on the inside.
Ervin Somogyi’s side laminating setup.
Double sides after lamination.
Cleaning up the double sides for this Somogyi guitar.
Trying to become more at home here in the Somogyi workshop includes setting up my workbench space. There’s no convenient hooks to hang my hearing protection, so I’ve got to make do with what’s available.