Sharpening the wood planer (lutherie)

About the sound

The planer blade is sharpened on a grindstone with a water stone. In order to work with wood, the desirable angle for chisels and planes should be 25 °.

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