Robert O’Brien

Luthier. Instructor. Craftsman.

Built one at a time in his Colorado workshop, Robert’s guitars are crafted with precision and care. His teaching follows the same approach, trusted by luthiers worldwide for its clarity and depth.

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Robert O’Brien leaning over a workbench while building a guitar.

What began as a passion for guitar making became a lifelong craft — and a way to teach others. Robert O’Brien builds custom instruments for players around the world and shares his knowledge through personal instruction and Lutherie Academy, the online school he founded.

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Robert O’Brien and a student examining work together at a workshop bench. Student working on a guitar body at a bench in Robert O’Brien’s workshop.

Teaching & Courses

Whether you’re building your first instrument or refining advanced techniques, Robert offers expert instruction for every level. He teaches both in-person courses in his Colorado workshop and a wide range of online classes through Lutherie Academy.

His teaching approach, grounded in clarity, structure, and hands-on experience, has reached students from around the world.

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Instruments

Robert builds classical, steel-string, flamenco, and electric guitars — each shaped to meet the tonal and structural demands of its style. His process is rooted in decades of experience and close work with musicians.

Explore His Guitars
Front of an O’Brien steel-string guitar, showing the soundhole, bridge, and polished soundboard. Polished wooden back of an O’Brien guitar, showing its grain and contrasting center strip.

The O’Brien Guitars YouTube Channel

Robert’s YouTube channel is a trusted resource for luthiers worldwide. His Luthier Tips du Jour, build diaries, interviews, and tool demonstrations provide practical guidance and detailed instruction for builders at all levels.

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Luthier Tips du Jour, Mailbag 176: Symptoms of Lack of Humidity. Luthier Tips du Jour, Mailbag 177: Fixing Loose Frets. Shop Talk 44: Modal Tuning with Trevor Gore.

Get in Touch

Have a question? Interested in ordering a guitar, taking a class, or just saying hello?

Contact Robert