Acoustic Instruments: The Perfect Blend of Form and Function

Paul’s interest in acoustic guitars led him to take up lutherie years ago. The instruments shown here are some of the ones he’s built. They include guitars, ukuleles, and a mountain dulcimer. All of these instruments have been given to friends or family members. Building acoustic instruments is a lesson in patience. While you strive for perfection, you never achieve it—although you do get pretty good at masking imperfections.

The beauty of wood is revealed in the exquisite grain of the black walnut back (left), which Paul built from wood growing on land the family once owned in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Half of the beauty of an acoustic guitar is hidden inside, like the interior of the all-mahogany steel-string model (middle), an instrument that Paul gave to a relative who plays in a band. The finished nylon-string acoustic guitar (right) features a red cedar top with a koa rosette inlaid around the sound hole. Nylon-string guitars are braced differently than steel-string models.