Today we’d like to introduce you to Rod Gomes.
Hi Rod, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, My name is Rodrigo Gomes (Rod), and I started been a luthier in 1999 trying to set up my own guitar, but after having so many issues with the guitar coming back from the “luthier” with lot of scoff and dents, I was always imagining how a relic guitar became a so dirt and “used,” because of maintenance and luthiers scrating them, but I realized that was not like this a relic guitar comes to your old finishing visual. Then, I decided to start a luthierie course in Sao Paulo, Brazil (where I am from) and after 1 year, the owner of the luthierie school called me to become member of the team, and I became a luthier instructor, helping students how to set up and build their guitars. In 2007, I left the school and started my own business as a luthier in my dad’s garage, and in 2010 having a giant passion for jazz guitars (archtops) I decided to fly to US, Nazareth PA, to taking courses with Dale Unger at Nazareth Guitar Institute where I could get involved with this great and fabulous instrument. In the main time on this trip, I met Dan Erlewine, one of the most famous luthier in America and in the World. We became friends and got a great relationship involving our families in a very warm connection. Since then, I have been working with him in some projects, in some seasons from 2015 – 2017, videos were recorded by Stewmac, and lot of fun together. I made a special telecaster to Him, and this guitar was used to record a video to Stewmac on “How to install six in line tuners.” I also made a Jerry Garcia Tribute guitar in His shop; we were published in the Vintage Guitar Magazine 3 Times showing some great works done on guitars and luthierie tips too.
Due to this connection and lot of things I have been learned with him, working, etc., I was in a round trip Brazil-US/US-Brazil. My shop in Brazil started to becoming famous in the country, and I got lot of students craving for some information about luthierie and of course, listening to the stories about all this journey.
In 2016 I made a Test here in Savannah for Benedetto Guitars, and there was so many resume on the table I came focused in doing my best, and after 2 weeks they sent me an email to a full-time position. So, been a non-immigrant doesn’t allow me to take a full-time job in US, so, they started a 7 years process to take me on board. During this time, I worked with so many exceptionals luthiers in Brazil, like Carlos Novaes owner of Novaes Guitars (very criterious and rich Acoustic Guitars); Ivan Freitas (Music Maker) one of the biggest guitar factory in Brazil; Adriano Guerra, one of the special Friend and luthier in my life (archtop Guitar Maker). Anselmo Pessoa (Custom PIckups) one of the best guitar Pickups made in Brazil, and so many others that improved myself as a luthier and person.
Today I work to Benedetto Guitars from Monday – Thursday and Fridays and weekends I Work for myself in my shop set up in an apartment, but soon it is going to be a real shop like in Brazil.
We (my wife, son Thomas, and the new boy Lucas) have been set here in US, Savannah, specifically in May 27th, 2023, so this is just a start to a new life and years to come making, setting up, and restoring guitars. A full-time building guitars at Benedetto Guitars, Part-time working with Randy Wood repairing guitars, and setting up my own business at home – RGomes Custom Guitars.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey of being a luthier has been a process of been known and showing you skills to people see the difference of your work and how specialized you are for some kind of job. So it takes long, as many people see you, and share your service with others, is the best way to achieve your goal, but it takes time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would say that I can see the customer perspective, because, after finishing some work, I am always thinking on: if I had paid for this job, would I be happy with that? I always want to do something that makes people amazed by the work, specially when I heard the phrase that match what I am saying. Larry Perkings (the finishing guy at Benedetto) came to me saying: “We split hair” that means everything. Because I like to deliver a perfect job to the musician who trusted on me his personal guitar for a work to be done. And I don’t want to disappoint him/Her.
The attention to details is everything.
I am specialized in archtop guitars, restoration, and Refret, but refret is something like, you can see your face on the end side of the polished frets of the guitars.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Savannah is a Beautiful Town and very rich Historical City, the parks, places to walk, great seafood, and adorable people around.
What I like least in the city is the hot weather in the summer.
Pricing:
- Neck Reset 600,00
- Fretwork 250
- Refret – Starting at 500
- set up 150
- Nut/Saddle 160
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rgomes_rod/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodluthier
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rodluthier2368/videos
