Handbuilt classical guitars in Orléat, Auvergne — one instrument at a time.
Craft
Every guitar begins with wood selection. I source tonewoods from specialist suppliers across Europe, looking for the specific density, stiffness and grain regularity that each model demands. The choice of back, sides, top and neck is made as a whole — each piece in conversation with the others.
Construction follows classical Spanish methods with refinements drawn from my own experimentation over more than a decade of building. Each instrument is voiced individually during the build — tap-tuning the top, adjusting brace geometry, listening at every stage before the plates are closed.
Wood selection & preparation
Tonewoods are selected for tap tone, stiffness-to-weight ratio, and grain regularity. Tops are bookmatched, sides bent over a hot pipe, backs joined and left to settle before shaping.
Strutting & voicing
Fan-braced or double-top construction depending on the model. Braces are graduated and shaped by ear — each top voiced individually before closing. The goal is a controlled, balanced resonance across the full register.
Assembly
Body closing follows the free-assembly method. Neck joint is set precisely for scale length and action geometry. Fretboard and bridge are fitted and checked under tension before finishing.
French polish
All instruments are finished with traditional shellac French polish — applied by hand with a pad over many sessions. The finish is thin, acoustically transparent, and deepens with age. It is the only finish that does not dampen the wood's vibration.
Setup & delivery
Final nut and saddle fitting, fret levelling, string spacing, and action adjustment for the player's style and repertoire. The guitar is played extensively in the workshop before delivery.
In the workshop
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Technique
Shellac French polish is the finishing method used on all Soroka guitars. Applied in thin layers over many sessions with a traditional tampon, the finish is acoustically neutral — it does not seal the wood but allows it to breathe and resonate freely. The film builds up slowly, revealing the depth and figure of the wood beneath.
French polishing with shellac — workshop demonstration
Location
The workshop is located in Orléat, a village in the Puy-de-Dôme department of Auvergne, central France. Workshop visits are welcome by appointment.
Publications
Five articles published in Guitare Classique magazine, covering techniques and methods from the workshop.