You’ve probably all been there already, but just in case, I’d like to recommend the set of web pages detailing the construction of an oud – an ancestor of the guitar – that appeared a few weeks ago in the Gallery.

You may have missed the link, so here it is again:

http://www.msocp.com/Jameel_OudConstruction.htm

Why am I boring you all with this?

First, this is the sort of material that makes on-line forums (fora?) like this so valuable. I’ve got no interest in making instruments, but I am trying to engineer some new ideas in wood, and I found this guy’s approach really interesting – he’s solved a few problems, and used some techniques, that I will be applying and trying this weekend. 

Second, the story is fascinating. And very well told. It’s what FWW should be doing, either on paper or in-line, as its core business. I know the editors do commission some of this sort of stuff, but if the purpose of a master-class-level magazine is to change and improve how people work, then this is the sort of story that delivers on that promise.