Review: Advanced Ukulele Building with Jay Lichty

by John Calkin

Originally published in American Lutherie #142, 2021



Advanced Ukulele Building with Jay Lichty
Robert O’Brien
Video instruction
Download from Obrienguitars.com, $277

I have loved books all my life, but when I began having worrisome visions of my house tipping toward the side containing my library I decided to make a change. As I began to shed books, it became easier to do. Most of my lutherie books disappeared via eBay and I have not missed them.

Early on I became a fan of video instruction. But videotape was not especially convenient when it came to finding specific information. DVDs were a huge step forward, but then came the automatic download. YouTube provided a world of free instruction, but too often it was unsatisfying and of doubtful veracity. Nothing beats expert instruction that is professionally recorded and expertly edited. It doesn’t come cheap, but I have never minded investing in quality education.