la guitare électrique qui rentre dans la valise
Without instruments, there are no musicians! And these are very rarely genius do-it-yourselfers: mastering the design, choosing the types of wood, shaping the parts, assembling both a raw material and electronic components is a job. Conversely, few luthiers are exceptional musicians. This is where the talent of these craftsmen lies: understanding an artist’s expectations, his style and anticipating how the instrument will sound. Awaiting the verdict, when he completed his prototype in March 2020, Hervé Berardet immediately had it tested by around forty musicians from Bordeaux and elsewhere.
Tested and approved
The first to have had it in their hands succeeded Sol and Mat, the guitarists of the Bordeaux group sweat like a monkey. The instrument immediately convinced them; its finish was so well worked that they did not realize that this Osiris guitar was removable! Guitarist Denis Cornardeau also released it and made a demonstration video of it.. All that remained was to create other versions of Osiris (with different types of microphones in particular) to diversify the range and develop its full potential. The expectations of musician clients are indeed specific. “All the parts can be interchanged,” says its creator. The wood is French and the pickups are hand-wound. The price fluctuates between 4,000 and 5,000 euros.
Born in 1964 in Lyon, Hervé Berardet studied science in chemistry. A path he abandoned: “I wanted to work with my hands. My grandfather was a cabinetmaker… My older brother played the guitar; I especially wanted to understand what was inside,” he recalls. In 1991, he converted to lutherie, followed a training course and specialized in the guitar. In this case in those used for jazz, blues and rock. Because the luthier is passionate about this music; and knows how the instruments should sound, what aesthetics characterize them and the care that should be given to playing comfort. “Creating a flamenco guitar is not my thing”, he says.
To travel
His first workshop was born in Mâcon in Saône-et-Loire; then he moved to Bordeaux for family reasons. Bordeaux, a city where rock guitarists are legion… His Guitare et Création store opens at the top of rue Saint-James next to the Big Bell. Word of mouth brings him customers. The luthier, supported by his company Emma which manages the administration and the communication, does not count his hours. “I was doing a lot of repairs and I also wanted to create. I remembered a removable nylon rope model ordered in 2010. I wanted to adapt it to electric. Hervé Berardet launched in November 2019, during the Covid pandemic. “We made a travel guitar when it was no longer possible to leave. As a result, we had time to develop all the facets of the guitar. »
In 2016, the Bordeaux-Euratlantique public development establishment, responsible for managing the building complex in this district, created the Cré’Atlantique Fund which supports crafts and performing arts through a competition. The Action jazz association, known for its cutting-edge concert programme, has decided to present Hervé Berardet’s Osiris. The prize obtained consists of a financial endowment attributed to Action jazz. Which ordered with this sum an Osiris guitar which will be ready during artist residencies or concerts. What to make known the know-how of the luthier from Bordeaux.