Posted on February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 by Dale Phillips An Interview with Richard Schneider An Interview with Richard Schneider by Michael Keller Originally published in Guild of American Luthiers Quarterly, Volume 6, #4, 1978 During the recent Guild of American Luthiers Convention in Winfield, Kansas, I had the pleasure of a brief interview with the renowned luthier, Maestro Richard Schneider, known for his development of the radically innovative Kasha Design soundboard guitar. He delivered several mind-blowing lectures and demonstrations on the physics-based theories behind the guitars. The original concepts for the new system of building was developed by Dr. Michael Kasha, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biophysics at Florida State University. Working together over the last eleven years, they have brought the guitar to a new level of development no seen in the world since Torres introduces his new bracing pattern over a hundred years ago. Having apprenticed to one of Mexico’s most famous luthiers, Maestro Juan Pimentel, Mr. Schneider now makes Kalamazoo, Michigan his home, where he is employed as a consultant to Norlin Music Inc., Gibson’s Parent Company. Those who were able to attend the beautiful concert by the extremely talented artist, Jeffery Van, performing on two Schneider long model concert guitars with Kasha soundboard and bridges. I would like to ask the question concerning the Kasha design that most guitar makers who are interested would ask. How does someone obtain information and drawings so they can try building such guitars? There are several sources that I can think of that explain the concepts and have a soundboard drawing. The first I would recommend would be Britannica Yearbook of Science and the Future, 1974: ADVENTURES IN THE PHYSICS OF STRING INSTRUMENTS - From Model Physics to Modern Instrument, by Michael Kasha. That article conveys the principles very clearly. For available blueprints, the best source would be the Builder’s Manual, Guitar Edition, Copyright 1972 by Michael Kasha. Unfortunately, this is no longer available, and even more unfortunate, many people who sent for them didn’t receive them due to contract commitments with a large corporation. However, some were mailed out and several members of the G.A.L. do have copies. It’s just a matter of sharing, I suppose. There is also another article available in SCIENCE NEWS, Vol. 98, 180, August 29, 1970, by Alan Perlmeter which describes some of the theories and has a soundboard pictured. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on August 12, 2021May 19, 2025 by Dale Phillips Bending Sides with Silicone Blankets Bending Sides with Silicone Blankets by Michael Keller from his 1990 GAL Convention workshop Originally published in American Lutherie #25, 1991 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Three, 2004 Althrough I attended the 1977 Guild convention in Tacoma, I exhibited my instruments for the first time at the following year’s convention in Winfield, Kansas. I visited Stuart Mossman’s shop while I was there, and I saw the side-bending mold that he had. It must have cost a fortune. It was about the size of a Volkswagen van standing on end, and it had all sorts of hydraulic pumps and pistons. In a production shop that kind of tooling might make sense, but for a small shop like mine, making twenty to thirty instruments a year and bending wood for repairs, I don’t need that kind of investment. I bent sides for years over a hot pipe I bought at Lewis Music in Vancouver, B.C. I had to work at a regular job and save money for quite a while before I could afford to buy two Overholtzer side-bending molds. A friend of mine had a custom mold made by the Overholtzer company, and it cost $1,000, I believe. That’s a lot of money. I can bend guitar sides with either a hot pipe or a cast mold quickly and accurately, but I am in this to make a living, and if I can save time and money I will do it. That’s why I prefer my new method. By the way, would anybody like to buy two nice Overholtzer molds? Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
