Karim Hourani Luthiery

Artistic Restoration: part 1 Inside the Violin As you flip through, you will see that the top plate was removed, all old linings and corners were removed and new ones were installed, a new bass bar was fitted, and a sound post patch was installed to fix the sound post crack. Many cleats were also added to fix various cracks. ... I did this restoration job a few years ago, and the work looked perfect to serve as a demonstration on various repairs and restoration operations done on the violin family. Part 2 on outside work and after setup photos will follow soon.

I am very excited to announce to you my upcoming long-term project "Carving Music: A journey from wood to world music." This vision came to realization through the very generous help of the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada; I thank them for this grant. The goal of this project is to bring luthiery, composition, performance, and music technology together in a single art production. The project will result in a family of hand-made instruments - oud, gui...tar, & violin - a music album inspired by and composed for these instruments, a book on oud making plus full size plans, and a documentary covering the full journey. A true interdisciplinary and cross-cultural experience! I'm very happy as well that I will be collaborating with composer and oud virtuoso Ahmad al-Khatib, who will be composing the music for the ensemble and playing the oud. More details about the musicians, performance, recording, and release will be shared soon. Stay tuned! #workshop #whatsonyourbench #luthiery #luthier #luthieria #liutaio #guitarmaking #guitarmaker #guitarist #guitar #classicalguitar #violinmaker #violin #oud #handtools #handcrafted #handmade #madeincanada #madeinvancouver #classicalmusic #artsnw #art #newwestminster #vancouver #luthierlife #canadacouncilforthearts #artproject #music #performance #recordingstudio

Some pictures of the Oud in the making. Yew is used for the bowl, sitka spruce for the top, and Spanish cedar for the neck. I am having a lot of fun working on this project, hoping it yields good results. I'm documenting the entire building process starting by a full size blueprint and taking pictures, notes, and short videos of each step along the way. ... The oud introduces a modified geometric shape for the body and a totally new bracing pattern. #workshop #woodshop #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #wood #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #guitarmaking #guitarmaker #oud #violinmaker #oudmaker #handtools #handcrafted #handmade # #madeincanada #madeinvancouver #classicalmusic #artsnw #art #process #howto #newwestminster #vancouver #luthierlife

This is the second hand-made rosette I put together. It is on a Oud top; I'll share more pictures of the instrument soon! Flip through to see the full process. #workshop #woodshop #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #wood #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #guitarmaking #guitarmaker #guitarist #guitar #classicalguitar #handtools #handcrafted #handmade #madeincanada #madeinvancouver #classicalmusic #artsnw #art #rosette #mosaic #process #howto #newwestminster #vancouver #luthierlife

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Nick Kahwaji, Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Vancouver. He is a fascinatingly humble eloquent person who is interested and educated in cultural affairs and the arts. Thank you Dr. Nick for the visit.

Started French polishing the bodies yesterday, and the two guitars are looking beautiful, clean, and shiny.. I will be polishing over the next several days before finally glueing the fingerboard and bridge. Which is your favorite, rosewood or yew? ... #workshop #woodshop #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #wood #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #luthieria #liutaio #guitarmaking #guitarmaker #guitarist #guitar #classicalguitar #handtools #handcrafted #handmade #frenchpolish #madeincanada #madeinvancouver #classicalmusic #artsnw #art #newwestminster #vancouver #luthierlife

Six weeks of daily work passed in a blink and suddenly these two classical guitars are sealed, primed, and ready for french polish! Im very pleased with the progress on both....Finish and setup are exciting but it will take a few more weeks to get these strung and ready. #workshop #woodshop #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #wood #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #luthieria #liutaio #guitarmaking #guitarmaker #guitarist #guitar #classicalguitar #handtools #handcrafted #handmade #frenchpolish #madeincanada #madeinvancouver #classicalmusic #artsnw #art #newwestminster #vancouver #luthierlife

November was an excellent starter month! Great progress on commissions, projects, and a few restorations. In the making two classical guitars; a rosewood and spruce torres inspired and another yew and spruce personal combo. #workshop #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #wood #luthiery #luthier #violin #violinmaker #guitarmaking #guitarmaker #guitarist #guitar #classicalguitar #steelstring #acousticguitar #handtools #handcrafted #restoration #baroqueviolin #martindreadnought #handmade #madeincanada #madeinvancouver #classicalmusic #artsnw #art #newwestminster #vancouver #luthierlife

Back in full swing and it feels great. I hand planed the spruce top and Indian rosewood back & sides to rough thickness, and glued the two top pieces. This new commission will be a copy (with slight modifications) of Antonio de Torres 1888 guitar. #workshop #woodshop #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #wood #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #luthieria #liutaio #guitarmaking #guitarmaker #guitarist #guitar #torres #rosewood #spruce #classicalguitar #handtools #handcrafted #handmade #madeincanada #madeinvancouver #classicalmusic #artsnw #art #newwestminster #vancouver #luthierlife

I'm very happy to announce the reopening of my luthiery shop in New Westminster. It took about two months to move, build, and setup the space and it's looking sharp ;) Please stop by and check the space out if you have time some time next week. #workshop #woodshop #grandopening #reopening #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #liutaio #luthieria #violin #madeinvancouver #violinmaking #violinmaker #madeincanada #violinista #handtools #handmade #handcrafted #custommade #varnish #restoration #stradivarius #new #classicalmusic #orchestra #artsnw #vancouver #newwestminster #luthierlife

Sneak peek from the new workshop. Today I started unpacking the tools and things are starting to look and feel homey. Very excited to opening soon, and starting on some late commissioned instruments! #workshop #woodshop #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #liutaio #luthieria #violin #violino #violinmaking #violinmaker #violinist #violinista #handtools #handmade #handcrafted #custommade #varnish #classicalguitar #guitar #guitarmaker #beforeandafter #classicalmusic #orchestra #artsnw #vancouver #newwestminster #luthierlife

I find it really hard to throw away any offcuts, that even shavings are bagged and tagged... one day I'll find a use for all, I hope lol Those french-polished pick holders were the offcuts from the ribs of the last two guitars I built. Made from quilted maple, Indian rosewood, and mahogany. #workshop #woodshop #hobby #pickholder #maple #burl #guitarpick #rosewood #mahogany #fancy #color #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #liutaio #luthieria #violinmaking #violinmaker #handtools #handmade #handcrafted #custommade #guitar #artsnw #queensborough #vancouver #newwestminster #luthierlife

I made this miniature victorian style bedroom set about 3 years ago. The wood used is maple finished with shellac (clear for bed and golden yellow for chair) with somewhat primitive upholstery. #workshop #woodshop #hobby #miniatures #maple #miniaturefurniture #victorian #furniture #scrollsaw #fretsaw #scrollwork #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #liutaio #luthieria #violinmaking #violinmaker #handtools #handmade #handcrafted #custommade #guitar #artsnw #queensborough #vancouver #newwestminster #luthierlife

Today's toy is a medievil catapult, said to be inspired by leonardo da vinci's model. You can buy these kits ready for assembly if you wish, but I made this from a plan using spanish cedar for the body, yew for the bow arms, and maple for the gear and firing arm. It fires over a 12-18 ft range :) #workshop #woodshop #hobby #catapult #maple #medieval #weapons #leonardodavinci #yew #cedar #instawoodworkers #whatsonyourbench #workinprogess #woodworking #luthiery #luthier #liutaio #luthieria #violinmaking #violinmaker #handtools #handmade #handcrafted #custommade #guitar #artsnw #queensborough #vancouver #newwestminster #luthierlife