The transformation service is, by far, the most requested at NRG Luthier. And it makes sense: many guitarists have had their instrument for years, grown with it, know every nuance of it and are not willing to exchange it for anything. They simply want to be able to take it on a plane without drama.
The good news is that the majority of classical and flamenco guitars of traditional construction are suitable for transformation. The less good news is that not all of them are. And it is better to know this before shipping than to discover it when the instrument is already in the workshop.
In this article I explain exactly what criteria I use to evaluate each guitar before accepting the work, what types of instruments are ideal, which have limitations and what the process looks like from start to finish.
Why not all guitars are equal when it comes to the Pullaway system
The Pullaway system works through a precision wood joint — a hand-cut dovetail — that allows the neck to be separated from the body without tools and without any metal element. The key to this system is that the joint is exclusively in wood, which guarantees the acoustic continuity of the instrument: vibration is transmitted in exactly the same way as in a one-piece guitar.
For this assembly to be possible, the instrument must meet certain structural conditions. These are not the luthier's personal preferences, but objective technical requirements that determine whether the transformation can be carried out safely and with a guaranteed result.
When I say "safely" I mean two things: that the installation process does not compromise the integrity of the instrument, and that the final result guarantees the mechanical solidity and sound quality that any guitarist demands. If either cannot be assured, I do not accept the work. It is that simple.
Guitars that work very well and guitars that are not suitable
Before going into the detailed evaluation criteria, here is a general overview of which types of instruments are ideal candidates and which present problems:
- Classical guitars of traditional Spanish construction
- Flamenco guitars (white and black)
- Artisan luthier guitars, any origin
- Instruments with solid cedar or mahogany neck
- Guitars in good overall structural condition
- Body built with solid woods (not laminated)
- Instruments with a well-glued and solid neck heel
- Guitars with bolt-on neck
- Student guitars made of laminated or pressed wood
- Instruments with poorly executed previous structural repairs
- Necks with severe bow or complex metal truss rod
- Guitars with a heavily deteriorated or replaced heel
- Instruments with a severely weakened body or active cracks
- Semi-hollow or solid-body electric guitars
If your guitar was built by an artisan luthier using traditional Spanish technique, there is a very good chance it is suitable. If it is an entry-level student instrument or has a construction very far from the classical tradition, it needs to be evaluated much more carefully.
The complete process, step by step
So that you know exactly what happens from the moment you contact me until you receive your guitar ready to fly, here is the complete process:
You write to me by email or WhatsApp with detailed photos of the instrument. I assess suitability remotely and give you a response within 24–48 hours. If everything looks good, we move to the next step. If there are doubts, I ask for more photographs or a short video call.
Once the preliminary suitability is confirmed, I send you a special box designed to transport the guitar safely to the workshop. It includes detailed packing instructions so that the instrument arrives in perfect condition.
When the guitar arrives at the workshop, I carry out the definitive assessment with the instrument in my hands. This is when I confirm (or revise) the preliminary diagnosis and communicate the final result to you before beginning any work.
The installation process is meticulous. Each assembly is worked by hand and adjusted specifically to the characteristics of your guitar. No two are alike: each instrument has its own dimensional particularities, and the system must be adjusted with millimetric precision to guarantee perfect alignment and acoustic continuity.
Before returning the guitar, I check the tuning, the action, the stability of the assembly and the sonic continuity. The guitar must sound at least as good as before the transformation. If any additional adjustments are necessary, they are carried out at this stage.
Your transformed guitar arrives in a 55 × 40 × 20 cm box — the exact dimensions of standard carry-on luggage for any airline — with the neck detached and everything perfectly protected. Ready to board the plane on your next trip.
All transformations include a lifetime guarantee on the Pullaway system. If the assembly ever presents any problem related to the installation, you send it to me and I resolve it at no additional cost. That is the confidence I have in the work I do.
Prices and what each option includes
- Free preliminary assessment
- Special shipping box included
- Pullaway system installation
- Personalised artisan adjustment
- Sound quality control
- Return in 55×40×20 cabin box
- Lifetime guarantee
- Selected solid woods
- Pullaway system integrated from the start
- Fully customisable
- 1–2 months of artisan construction
- Each instrument is unique
- Lifetime guarantee
- International shipping available
The price of the transformation may vary if previous necessary repairs are detected during the physical assessment (cracks, delaminations, truss rod adjustment, etc.). In that case, the additional cost is always communicated before beginning the work, and the guitarist decides whether to proceed.
Frequently asked questions about the transformation
No, or at most minimally and imperceptibly in normal use. The system works on the heel area, which is not visible when the guitar is assembled. The exterior of the instrument and its finish are not altered. The result is a guitar that, once assembled, looks exactly the same as before the transformation.
The system is designed for thousands of assembly and disassembly cycles. The dovetail joint is a centuries-old woodworking technique known precisely for its durability. Guitarists who have been using the system for years have reported no looseness or wear in the assembly. That is why we can offer a lifetime guarantee.
Yes. Tuning is minimally affected, just as happens with any change in temperature or humidity during transport. Once assembled and with a few minutes of stabilisation, the guitar tunes perfectly. All guitarists who have used the system confirm this, and some use it on international tours changing country every week.
You are informed before any work is carried out and the guitar is returned in the same condition it arrived in. The preliminary assessment is free and without commitment. If there is any return shipping cost, it is communicated in advance.
In technical terms, yes it is possible. However, it is an operation that requires workshop work and is not trivially reversible. In practice, no one has ever asked to go back: once a guitarist travels with their instrument in the cabin for the first time, they no longer want to lose that freedom.
Yes. We work with guitarists from all over Europe, Latin America, North America and Asia. The international shipping process is well established: a protective box designed specifically for transporting guitars is provided, and tracking is managed from start to finish.
Not only did he do it incredibly quickly and efficiently, but my guitar now sounds better, has a perfect setup and the highest guarantees. An absolute discovery, this professional guitar builder.
— Pablo San Nicasio Ramos, guitarist and journalistThe Pullaway detachable system is a great relief when travelling, especially by plane. Its compact system fits easily in the overhead compartment. Once at my destination, assembly is very straightforward.
— Jeff Wooldridge, multi-instrumentalist musicianIs your guitar suitable for transformation?
Send me some photos of the instrument and I will reply within 24–48 hours. The preliminary assessment is free and without commitment. If there are any doubts, we can talk.
Request free assessment →In summary: most can, but they need to be checked
The Pullaway transformation works with the vast majority of classical and flamenco guitars of traditional artisan construction. It is not a magic process nor does it work for every instrument, but when the right conditions are met — and they usually are — the result is a guitar that sounds the same as before, assembles and disassembles in seconds and fits perfectly in any standard carry-on bag.
The prior assessment is not a bureaucratic formality: it is the guarantee that the work is done correctly or not done at all. I prefer to decline a commission rather than deliver an instrument that does not meet the standards I demand. And when I say yes, it is because I am confident that the result will be exactly what the guitarist expects: their guitar, detachable, with a lifetime guarantee.
If you have doubts about whether your guitar is suitable, the fastest way to find out is to write to me. A few well-taken photos and a description of the instrument are usually enough for an initial assessment. The assessment is free, and the reply arrives within 24–48 hours.