Custom Guitar Video
Ervin
Somogyi Synopsis
Ervin Somogyi was born in Budapest in l944 and is
American by naturalization. He has lived in Hungary,
the U.S., Austria, England, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and
Spain.
Somogyi has studied English, clinical psychology,
and artistic wood carving, but it is in the area of cus-
tom acoustic guitar building that he is a true master.
Ervin’s 3 rules for success: “First, try to find the
humor and the good in everything you do. Second,
be prepared to work hard at it, at least some of the
time. Third, never reveal everything you know.”
Somogyi
When Custom Guitar Video met Ervin
Ervin Somogyi
Somogyi in Oakland, CA we had no idea
that we were about to film a piece of
true guitar making history.
Building Better Guitars
Ervin took us on a “tour-de-force” in fine Cus-
tom Acoustic Guitar making. It turns out to be
one of the rare cases where we absolutely refuse
to cut and edit the video... we’re afraid you’d miss
1
something!
Mr. Somogyi’s extraordinary knowledge, his
Part 01
mastery of the craft and his own philosophy
make up a true piece of “last of their kind” foot-
age. We aim to preserve Somogyi’s contribution
to the art of fine custom acoustic guitar building
for aspiring guitar makers and guitar lovers alike.
Part 1 of the extensive Custom Guitar Video
feature gives an impressive demonstration of
how tone tapping, bracing and even the back of
a guitar contribute to the sound his wonderful
instruments. Ervin compares the guitar with an
air-pump.
Ervin Somogyi is one of the icons of American
Lutherie. His work as a professional luthier and
woodworker of forty years, is internationally
known and respected among collectors, profes-
sional guitar players and guitar makers.
Somogyi’s Custom Acoustic Guitars are increas-
ingly recognized as the best recording instru-
ments available. They are sought by profes-
sional acoustic guitarists who wish to make and
preserve the highest quality of recorded and
performed sound.
Master luthier, Ervin Somogyi, has received
numerous honors over the years: he won the
prestigious award “Best Luthier” for 4 years in
Frets Magazine; one of his Custom Acoustic
Guitars was judged as “best sounding” in listen-
ing tests conducted at the Boston University at
a national convention of the Guild of American
Luthiers; and even has an instrument displayed
at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington,
DC. His artwork is inspired directly by his four
decades of lutherie work. Watch Part one of his
inspiring Custom Guitar Video.