Crafting a Masterpiece: Lou’s Tensegrity Guitar Project: At our recent meeting, Lou delivered a truly inspiring presentation on his latest project—a stunning handcrafted guitar inspired by an article in the American Lutherie Journal. From concept to completion, Lou walked us through every step of the process, beginning with converting paper plans into a 3D CAD model. Using premium materials like Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle, Rock Maple, and Spruce from Australian Tonewoods, Lou designed the build to be repeatable, developing custom software for his CNC machine and crafting precise jigs and moulds. The guitar’s unique design required a single mould for both body and neck, with side pieces bent using a heat-assisted jig and held in form for shaping.

The build continued with intricate mother-of-pearl inlays, CNC-cut kerfing, internal bracing, and a beautifully veneered headstock. Lou’s attention to detail was evident in every stage—from the internal shellac finish to the installation of electronics and the meticulous application of eight coats of nitrocellulose lacquer. After curing, the final sanding and a coat of carnauba wax brought the instrument to a brilliant shine. The evening concluded with a live demonstration of the guitar’s rich, resonant sound—a fitting finale to a presentation that combined craftsmanship, innovation, and passion. A huge thank you to Lou for sharing this remarkable journey with us!