Planing (lutherie)

About the sound

To create a soundboard, two boards are needed. They come from the same board which has been split into two parts. The luthier planes them down to obtain the same grain and the same thickness. The wood used here is cedar.

Sebastian has been working as a luthier for the past 13 years. He creates guitars and specialises in gypsy acoustic instruments.
After a degree in mechanic and some training in architecture, Sebastien turned towards violin making and trained in Beziers working with some professionals. He has been living for 7 years in Belgium and has settled in a collective studio in rue de l’Indépendance, in Molenbeek, with a dozen other skilled craft workers .
His customers are found amongst professional musicians or keen players. To make a good guitar he needs an average of 200 working hours. He creates about 8 instruments per year. While the guitar is, in fact, a popular instrument, it is clear that ordering a customized guitar is a very luxury purchase available to only very few people.
The sound of the guitar will depend on the wood used (the table is made of spruce or cedar) and the relative humidity. Tannic woods will colour the music.

Sound recordist : Gaëlle Courtois / La Fonderie, Brussels