Richard Roth is a luthier, which means he makes and repairs stringed instruments. He learned the craft in college when he worked for Paul Reed Smith, a master luthier who founded the Maryland company PRS Guitars. Roth applies more than 40 coats of lacquer to a vintage Fender Telecaster he’s refurbishing for a friend. Roth says he prefers lacquer to polyurethane because it doesn’t deaden the resonance of the wood. Roth, who lives in Yarmouth, says he loves rebuilding high-quality vintage guitars but hates the high prices charged by dealers.
Richard Roth adds one of over 40 coats of a special thin lacquer to a vintage Fender Telecaster he is refurbishing at his home in Yarmouth. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
Richard Roth inspects the finish on one of his vintage guitars he is rebuilding. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
Richard Roth shows off a vintage Fender Telecaster. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
Send questions/comments to the editors.
