Tom Blackshear Classical Guitar
East Indian Rosewood Sides and Back with Spruce/Cedar Top
SAD NEWS. TOM PASSED AWAY ON 6/29/2023
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Tom Blackshear has built flamenco and classical guitars for over 55 years
in the Spanish tradition.
Through the study of the master builders, he developed a technique of fine-tuning the voice of the guitar. Notable Spanish guitar builders acknowledge his ability to recreate the sound and tonal projection of the old masters.
"There are numerous ways to build guitars and adjust sound, but my methods have been judged with proven results for the past 30 years. These techniques are hardly new as some of them were taken from the old masters and experimented with to add a more modern concept to strengthen the guitar’s resolve. This, along with some of the more modern patterns, has helped lift the traditional guitar to its highest level in modern building practice. The goal is to consistently bring each instrument to its premier voice level, on the bench, before age takes over and improves the guitar to its maximum level of quality and performance.
My guitars are built and finished using the 5 physical senses. Scientific methods of tonal production cannot replace these human reactions. Even though science can identify quality by recording what has been achieved by the human touch, it cannot create a human voice alone. I believe, along with a physical response, there must be an innate understanding how the woods interact with shape and design in order to create a magnificent instrument.
Can science assist the human touch? Absolutely, but it can’t create a quality voice without human technique, and nuance."
"There are numerous ways to build guitars and adjust sound, but my methods have been judged with proven results for the past 30 years. These techniques are hardly new as some of them were taken from the old masters and experimented with to add a more modern concept to strengthen the guitar’s resolve. This, along with some of the more modern patterns, has helped lift the traditional guitar to its highest level in modern building practice. The goal is to consistently bring each instrument to its premier voice level, on the bench, before age takes over and improves the guitar to its maximum level of quality and performance.
My guitars are built and finished using the 5 physical senses. Scientific methods of tonal production cannot replace these human reactions. Even though science can identify quality by recording what has been achieved by the human touch, it cannot create a human voice alone. I believe, along with a physical response, there must be an innate understanding how the woods interact with shape and design in order to create a magnificent instrument.
Can science assist the human touch? Absolutely, but it can’t create a quality voice without human technique, and nuance."
Information on building and tonal production for Tom Blackshear's Guitars can be found on YouTube:
- Tom Blackshear Guitar, 1987 Manuel Reyes Style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi_AHu-XeOI
- Tom Blackshear Guitar Builder, Style of 1968 Conde Hermanos Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHEO22VE8fo
Tom Blackshear Guitar Builder
17303 Springhill Drive, San Antonio, TX 78232
San Antonio Texas
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