Girdis Guitar Finishing Project
March 10, 2012
Through a Google search, I was contacted by a gent from Guemes Island who was in possession of an unfinished Rob Girdis parlor guitar. After discussing my background and having studied with Rob, we agreed that I would take on the job of finishing the guitar. It’s a koa parlor with snakewood binding.
I’m looking forward to this project, as I can still learn from Rob by examining and analyzing the construction of this guitar while I proceed with the finish. It needs the shaping and installing of a snakewood bridge, bone nut and saddle, tuning machines, and end pin. The guitar needs to be prepped for finish, then the application of a lacquer finish. Finally, strings and setup.
I’ll carefully document the dimensions and materials, and take a few iPhone photos of inside the box. It’s koa all around with an interesting trilaminate neck of mahogany and ??
The headstock treatment uses a backing laminate of the same wood in the neck, which may be boxwood.
One thing Rob was proud of was his binding and purfling work which really shows on this guitar. I remember showing him progress on one of my earlier guitars where he commented, “Nice work, but, you still have a way to go on improving your binding.” I do possess now, the example to work toward.
I have access to an extensive photo library of Rob’s guitars. I should be able to replicate tuners and bridge design to ensure the finishing of this guitar matches his design.
Mr. Alberto on 10 Mar 2012 at 4:08 pm #
hiya Stephen… that’s a lovely guitar… like the snakewood!… the purfling and paua insets are wonderful, as is the soundhole inlay work…. I especially like the fret end finishing work! Pretty guitar!!
tim barger on 04 Jan 2014 at 12:06 am #
Rob was a close friend of mine for over 40 years, miss him dearly. The wood looks like it may be myrtle which I know he used at times, usually from wood he found on the island. Good luck with the project his parlor guitars are amazing instruments, what a find!
Peter Roy on 02 Jul 2021 at 3:02 pm #
I played one of Rob Girdis Parlours at the ASIA symposium in
In Amherst Ma around 1995 or so.
It was the most significant guitar there – as a hobby luthier I absolutely put that in my to do list some day.
His parlour projected like a full size Larivee or Taylor I was so impressed.
I am now assembling a custom kit with my son as a high school graduation gift, and maybe I can pull myself back into building again
Cheers
Peter – Toronto Canada