Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by Dale Phillips Meet the Maker: Robbie O’Brien Meet the Maker: Robbie O'Brien by Brian Yarosh Originally published in American Lutherie #117, 2014 I’ve known Robbie O’Brien for more than five years through the local Colorado lutherie community, having taken his classes at Red Rocks Community College, and through his more recent association with the Colorado School of Lutherie. I can attest to his love of teaching and spreading the knowledge of guitar building throughout Colorado and the world. It was my privilege to sit down with him at his shop in Parker and get to know him a little better. Let’s start with some history. Tell us a little about yourself. My folks were military and I was born in Nuremberg, Germany. I don’t have German citizenship and I don’t speak German. I was there for about a year and a half before moving back to the States. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where my father was a commercial pilot for Delta Airlines. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 by Dale Phillips Seven-String Surgery Seven-String Surgery by Robbie O’Brien with Antonio Tessarin Originally published in American Lutherie #127, 2016 The 7-string guitar is a very popular instrument in Brazil. It is used as an accompaniment instrument for a style of music known as chorinho. However, many classical players also find themselves migrating to the 7-string instruments. So, what do you do if you currently have a 6-string instrument but desire the broader range of possibilities that a 7-string instrument can offer? You take your guitar to Brazilian luthier Antonio Tessarin and let him work his magic. Antonio taught me guitar building years ago when I lived in Brazil and we often exchange pictures and information about projects that are on our benches. The following pictures were recently sent to me by Antonio. They show the process of him converting one of his 6-string guitars into a 7-string guitar. With his permission I am sharing them with the Guild of American Luthiers so that others may benefit. Warning: Contains graphic images that may not be for the faint of heart! Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on March 30, 2026March 30, 2026 by Dale Phillips Battling Shop Dust Battling Shop Dust by Robbie O’Brien Originally published in American Lutherie #116, 2013 As luthiers we are all aware of the many health hazards and dangers we encounter daily in our craft. Sharp objects, hand tools, power tools, and chemicals from finish and repair work come to mind almost immediately. Many of us also play the instruments we make, so just the thought of losing a finger and not being able to play anymore motivates our safety habits. However, we often overlook a pervasive danger in the shop, wood dust. Even in cases when we are aware of the danger, we may do little or nothing about it. We protect our fingers, eyes, and ears in the shop, but what about our noses and lungs? Most of us know that dust in our shops is a major nuisance. But how many realize that excessive exposure to wood dust can cause health problems? The health hazards of wood dust are well documented. Some wood dusts are toxic, even carcinogenic, and frequent exposure can lead to sinus and lung problems, or worse. The U.S. Department of Labor OSHA website warns: “In general, exposure to excessive amounts is considered to have an irritant effect on eyes, nose, and throat in addition to pulmonary function impairment and is considered a human carcinogen. Western red cedar dust has also been shown to cause asthma.”1 Now wait just a minute! I use this species on my guitars. Now you have my attention! Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
