Luthiers Question Time with Ben Crowe, master luthier of Crimson Guitars and host of Crimson Custom Guitars, the premier guitar building channel on YouTube. In this weekly podcast Ben answers a series of questions on life, the universe and guitar making.. not necessarily in that order.  The questions are recorded during a pair of live streams on the Crimson channel from which only the most interesting, entertaining or possibly compromising answers make this podcast. Check out the rest of what Ben does with his team of luthiers and toolmakers at http://www.crimsonguitars.com 

Crimson is also one of the largest in person luthiers schools in the world with hundreds of happy students attending courses yearly.. you too could build your own guitar, or two.. it is our mission to facilitate that in as many ways as possible.

In this Luthiers Question Time Special lifted from the vaults of the original video podcast from over 5 years ago Ben discusses what mistakes a beginner and professional woodworker should avoid when they begin building guitars.

Let us know of your worst mistakes and best recoveries! 

Luthiers Question Time with Ben Crowe, master luthier of Crimson Guitars and host of Crimson Custom Guitars, the premier guitar building channel on YouTube. In this weekly podcast Ben answers a series of questions on life, the universe and guitar making.. not necessarily in that order.  The questions are recorded during a pair of live streams on the Crimson channel from which only the most interesting, entertaining or possibly compromising answers make this podcast. Check out the rest of what Ben does with his team of luthiers and toolmakers at http://www.crimsonguitars.com 

Crimson is also one of the largest in person luthiers schools in the world with hundreds of happy students attending courses yearly.. you too could build your own guitar, or two.. it is our mission to facilitate that in as many ways as possible


Today we unearth where the Crimson Guitars name came from, Ben discusses how being called ‘Salad Head’ led to him changing his head tattoos, and we get a sneak peek at what his ‘How to’ styled guitar building book will entail. 

You can find out if direct mounting pickups has an advantage and how you too can fixed bowed necks and cupped caps.

Why is the childhood memory of sherbet seared into Ben's mind? That is to be revealed...

Luthiers Question Time with Ben Crowe, master luthier of Crimson Guitars and host of Crimson Custom Guitars, the premier guitar building channel on YouTube. In this weekly podcast Ben answers a series of questions on life, the universe and guitar making.. not necessarily in that order.  The questions are recorded during a pair of live streams on the Crimson channel from which only the most interesting, entertaining or possibly compromising answers make this podcast. Check out the rest of what Ben does with his team of luthiers and toolmakers at http://www.crimsonguitars.com 

Crimson is also one of the largest in person luthiers schools in the world with hundreds of happy students attending courses yearly.. you too could build your own guitar, or two.. it is our mission to facilitate that in as many ways as possible.

In this Luthiers Question Time Special Ben discusses his top 10 (although a few more may have slipped in) essential tools for any new or experience guitar builder to get started from home.  What do you think has made the list? Planes? Saws? A CNC that you'd need to re-mortgage your house to be able to afford? All to be revealed... 

Luthiers Question Time with Ben Crowe, master luthier of Crimson Guitars and host of Crimson Custom Guitars, the premier guitar building channel on YouTube. In this weekly podcast Ben answers a series of questions on life, the universe and guitar making.. not necessarily in that order.  The questions are recorded during a pair of live streams on the Crimson channel from which only the most interesting, entertaining or possibly compromising answers make this podcast. Check out the rest of what Ben does with his team of luthiers and toolmakers at http://www.crimsonguitars.com 

Crimson is also one of the largest in person luthiers schools in the world with hundreds of happy students attending courses yearly.. you too could build your own guitar, or two.. it is our mission to facilitate that in as many ways as possible.

This week we see the return of the infamous ‘Would you rather?’ which sees Ben either writing the tab for an entire DragonForce album or having a fist fight with Phil Anselmo.

The origins of the ‘masking tape and superglue trick’ are revealed and Ben discusses if zero radius fretboards are what they are cracked up to be.

This and many other luthiery conundrums included...

Luthiers Question Time with Ben Crowe, master luthier of Crimson Guitars and host of Crimson Custom Guitars, the premier guitar building channel on YouTube. In this special episode of the weekly podcast Ben answers a series of questions on sustainability and the ecological impact of guitar making.. from materials used to supply chains.. it is a sticky question with many facets that need addressing as our world becomes more and more precarious a place to live.

 The questions in this episode were recorded during an interview with Baden Aldridge, from BIMM in London, which in its video format went live on the Crimson channel. Check out the rest of what Ben does with his team of luthiers and toolmakers at http://www.crimsonguitars.com 

Crimson is also one of the largest in person luthiers schools in the world with hundreds of happy students attending courses yearly.. you too could build your own guitar, or two.. it is our mission to facilitate that in as many ways as possible.

Timestamps:

00:02:56 Question 1 - Why is building sustainably in your business so important to you?

00:07:23 Question 2 - In the wider industry, in your career have you seen any impactful changes?

00:10:59 Question 3 - Do you find it easier to source sustainable materials? If so, where do you source them from?
 

00:15:24 Question 4 - Does the sustainability that you've put in place come at a hefty price?

00:18:35 Question 5 - What is your opinion on upcycling? The pros and cons?

00:24:24 Question 6 - What type of woods are your favourites to use? Are these necessarily traditional in guitar building?

00:25:47 Question 7 - How does the type of wood affect the tone and sound of an instrument?

00:33:26 Closing thoughts - How would you balance the sustainability, final price and the sound quality of an instrument to make a sellable product?

Luthiers Question Time with Ben Crowe, master luthier of Crimson Guitars and host of Crimson Custom Guitars, the premier guitar building channel on YouTube. In this weekly podcast Ben answers a series of questions on life, the universe and guitar making.. not necessarily in that order.  The questions are recorded during a pair of live streams on the Crimson channel from which only the most interesting, entertaining or possibly compromising answers make this podcast. Check out the rest of what Ben does with his team of luthiers and toolmakers at http://www.crimsonguitars.com 

Crimson is also one of the largest in person luthiers schools in the world with hundreds of happy students attending courses yearly.. you too could build your own guitar, or two.. it is our mission to facilitate that in as many ways as possible.


Today we cover everything from where to begin with guitar building, truss rod slot routing disasters, and finishing tips. Ben plays ‘would you rather’ which sees him choosing between re-fretting Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar while he watches or eating crushed glass…

Is putting a pickup in the fretboard a good idea? Can you use titanium for a truss rod? Should I shield active pickups? All of this and more to come.

Bonus coffee bean guitar story.