Ervin Smoygi Books

[Deems Davis]

As a new builder I'm trying to digest as much fact based information as I can regarding guitar building. That's what I REALLY appreciate about Trevor and Gerard's book. I've found that in the world of guitar building there is a never ending stream of opinion that is freely offered, but the vast majority is described in abstract/qualitative terms rather than quantitative / measurable terms. Ervin Smoygi has a 2 volume book set regarding guitar design and building. He has developed a reputation for building high quality instruments, so he must be doing something different or unique. I'm interested in any feedback from anyone that has actually read them, and particularly:

1. Does his approach to guitar building align with Trevor's Gerard's?
2. If it's different how would you describe the primary differences?
3. Is the information provided in the books supported with measurable facts, or is it qualitative?

Thanks for any feedback opinion you might have. If this is not the right forum for asking the question please suggest where I should post this


Deems

[kiwigeo]

I bought Ervin's books but since Trevor and Gerard released their books Ervin's books have sat on the shelf gathering dust. To be frank most of the theory that Ervin covers is much better covered by G and G. If I had to choose either books.....Gore and GIlet would win hands down.

[aljosha]

it depends on how you build

erwin's more "romanitc" vs the more "scientific" approach of G+G

he builds using his ears rather than microphones+computers+whatnot
so one could say a bit abstract
I personally build his way

best
j

[Deems Davis]

That's the sense I get from reading articles he's written and browsing his blog. He definitely seems to exhibit a strong artistic flavor to what he does. I suspect that may be his single largest contributing success factor.

Deems

[DarwinStrings]

I have never read Ervin's books but from other stuff he has published I get the feeling that if you are a beginner and you want to build like Ervin does but you can't get a apprenticeship with Ervin then buy the G & G books and develop your ear from those methods then when you have it right in your head continue on using your ear. If you are a seasoned builder and can consistently build responsive guitars (if that is what you want) then you don't need no "Stinkin" (quote Hesh cause I miss him on the forum) books.

[kiwigeo]

Ervin actually has his own sub-forum on the ANZLF.....dedicated to his books. it would be great if Ervin would magically chime in on a discussion about HIS books

[kiwigeo]

erwin's more "romanitc" vs the more "scientific" approach of G+G
j

Nicely put..

[johnparchem]

I have both sets of books. While I enjoyed reading both, I use Gore\Gilet during nearly every project. The first volume in both sets covers design. The Gore\Gilet books contains a comprehensive and usable text on all of the design parameters for acoustic guitars. My take is the Ervin Smoygi is more of what is described as an intuitive Luthier (he uses his senses). The book does a great job describing how he thinks a guitar works and how he approaches guitar design. I am not sure that without acquiring his intuitive sense of what a guitar should be that his book provides the required information to use his system.

The Gore\Gilet build book seem to be a very carefully laid out and tested description of the tools, jig and processes required to build multiple types of both classical and steel string guitars including good full scale plans for the guitars it the text. I have an extensive library of guitar books and no build book compares to the Gore\Gilet in both completeness and clarity. I liked reading the Smoygi build book, if I remember correctly the book does a good job describing building a basic guitar, but for the more advanced work I sort of felt that magic happened.

[simonm]

I also have both sets. And am glad I have them.

I mainly build classical so my "go to" book for quick reference is neither of these but rather Courtnall (Making master guitars). I like both sets. For my purposes I got / am getting stuff from both. My main regret with Courtnall, G&G and Erwin is that I did not buy immediately when I first thought about them. I would have saved money on tools if nothing else.

My suggestions would be hold onto to your cash for another 3-4 builds then get these as well. There is a different perspective. While all these books tend to give us sticker shock at first sight, both Erwin's and G&G's books are quite cheap in the bigger picture. Check out what a more advanced college text book in medicine, law or the like can cost if you think I am wrong.

Erwin talks a bit about workshop organisation and there are pictures/descriptions of his sanding table set up which is very neat. At the very minimum you get some insight into what goes into guitars that sell for 25k direct from the maker. That has to be worth something.

[DarwinStrings]

Ervin actually has his own sub-forum on the ANZLF.....dedicated to his books. it would be great if Ervin would magically chime in on a discussion about HIS books

I thought that was gone so I looked and can't find it.

[kiwigeo]

Ervin actually has his own sub-forum on the ANZLF.....dedicated to his books. it would be great if Ervin would magically chime in on a discussion about HIS books

I thought that was gone so I looked and can't find it.

Next sub-forum up from this one........The Responsive Guitar FAQ: viewforum.php?f=26

[68matts]

I can't see Ervin's sub forum either, when I clicked on your link it said I was not authorized to view that forum

[kiwigeo]

Dunno what's going one. Looks like a bug in the forum. Ill let Bob know. If a Geologist starts mucking around with the forum settings you'll end up not being able to see ANY of the forum

[Nick]

From what I remember Ervin didn't visit his own sub forum much and certainly didn't offer advice or answer specific questions as generously as Trevor does so maybe Bob removed the topic as it was dying a natural?

[kiwigeo]

Nah it's still there....I can see it.

[Trevor Gore]

Nah it's still there....I can see it.

Maybe because you're a mod, Martin. It's been gone off my screen for, idunno, 18 months... ...more??

[kiwigeo]

Nah it's still there....I can see it.

Maybe because you're a mod, Martin. It's been gone off my screen for, idunno, 18 months... ...more??

I'll let Bob muck around with the settings........letting a Geologist play around with the workings of the forum isnt a good idea.

[JamesO]

I don't see the forum either.

I've had the books, but I let them go. I do miss them. I scanned a few pages, but if I had the extra money, I'd try to pick them up again. I don't remember them being earth-shattering, but I do believe Ervin is one of the best, and it would be great to have that little window into his world again. I've seen a few comments here and there on the AGF that he's working on another book. Not sure what the focus is.

In terms of being educational and, "Here, lets go make a guitar," Trevor's are on a different level.

When it comes to, "I want my guitar to have a lot of X quality in my guitar," I still haven't gotten to the point where I can glean, "Ah, I need to do this and this and this." However, as you can tell from many of my questions, I'm still in the nascent stages of understanding them.