BECOMING A LUTHIER

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BECOMING A LUTHIER

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JBASHORUN

Posts: 1839
Joined: Jan. 23 2005

BECOMING A LUTHIER

Hi everyone.
I'm interested in luthiery, and am considering doing a course in guitar making. Although I own quite a few guitars, I have never tried to make one! So the subject would be completely new to me. I was wondering what the best way to go about becoming a luthier is? If I did the course, I would get a certificate, and could then apply to do a degree in instrument making.
I would like to know what sort of course is best to do to get started and develop my skills. Or is there some other way of getting into the industry? Also, any recommended books on the subject.

Any opinions from luthiers or other members are, as usual, greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

James

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2005 15:47:10

Sammy K

Posts: 30
Joined: Dec. 2 2004
From: Finland

RE: BECOMING A LUTHIER (in reply to JBASHORUN)

Hi, James...

Try Roy Courtnall's Making Master Guitars... that's quite a good book with a lots of info about different nylon guitars and their makers from the past. Torres, Santos Hernandez etc. There's step by step stuff to tell you how to make a guitar from logwood.
I myself graduated from a three year luthiery school. That's one way... or you could just start on your own, but it's a harder road. I recommend taking a course with a skillful luthier. Good luck.

_____________________________

-Sami

--This goes to eleven--

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2005 17:18:52

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: BECOMING A LUTHIER (in reply to JBASHORUN)

Hey James,

I think the self learning approach is interesting, but at the same time, lessons would help too. Good luck anyway. The important thing is that you enjoy yourself learning and making guitars, whether for personal use or commercial later on.

Take care,
Cheston

PS. I've been busy with National Service, I'll send you more stuff to your GMail account as soon as I can. By the way, have you received the other stuff I sent you so far?

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2005 1:47:48

Armando

Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland

RE: BECOMING A LUTHIER (in reply to JBASHORUN)

Hello JBASHORUN

I agree with Sammy K that the book "making master guitars" is a very good book to start with.

I have read many books about this topic but the above mentioned is the most detailled one. It allows you to build a fairly good sounding and well playable guitar from beginning on. I have build my first guitar after the Santos Hernandez plan in this book and the outcome was quite successful. Most other books are incomplete and contain insufficient instruction for the construction of a whole guitar. They require more insight and knowledge to understand and can only be used as supplement. If you can afford it and if you have the chance to study with a skilled luthier it is of course the better way. There are different luthier schools mainly in the US but also in the UK. You may find adresses on www.luth.org
There are also some two or three week courses offered by luthiers.

Stephen Hill offers three week courses in England for Flamenco Guitar construction.

José Romanillos and his son offer a course on classical guitar construction every year in Siguenza in Spain.

Sometimes there is a guitarmaking course offered at the festival de la guitarra in Cordoba but the last one was held in 2003.

I have experienced that spanish luthiers usually do not like to speak about their construction methods to anybody. They don't appreaciate walk inn tourists in their workshop just asking a lot of questions. If you buy a guitar from them, they may change a little bit their mind, but who is able to buy a guitar from each one of them just in order to get some information?
American luthiers are more open for questions and some of them helped me a lot with their advices and hints.

You should however think twice if you want to go for a career as a professional builder. You have to invest a lot of money and time with no guaranty for commercial success. There are by far too many luthiers and factories producing more instruments than there is demand. If you live in the US, UK or Spain, you might have a better chance than elsewhere. In Switzerland for example there is a very small market for high end classical or flamenco guitars and if somebody is willing to spend 5K+ for such a guitar he will most probably not buy a guitar from you but a Ramirez, Conde or whatever famous brand.

I build my guitars with a different approach. I consider it as a costly hobby which is of personal interest for me. If i will be able once in the future to sell some instruments to cover my expences it's o.k. for me. I don't really expect to be able to make a living with it.

regards

Armando

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2005 11:01:07

JBASHORUN

Posts: 1839
Joined: Jan. 23 2005

RE: BECOMING A LUTHIER (in reply to Armando)

Thanks everyone, some really helpful advice and information here. I will look into the "Making Master Guitars" book.
As I said in my first post, I am completely new to guitar-making, so it is unlikely that any established luthier would be willing to take me on as an apprentice without any previous experience. But if one would, that would be an ideal situation- learning from a master builder directly.
The course I am considering is for a certificate. It would give me a basic guide to how to make acoustic guitars. I would then need to either do a degree course in instrument making, or try and find a luthier to work with.
But I have to admit, that this would NOT be a hobby! Ultimately, I need something that will pay the rent. I wouldn't be doing it JUST for the money, as there is often very little profit in luthiery, and it is hard work compared to some other jobs that may pay more. But if I spend 3 or 4 years (or more) studying luthiery, I do want to build guitars to sell at the end of it, not just for a hobby or to cover some expenses. I have lots of hobbies already, so I could do without yet another one that is very expensive.
I do live in London, so I'm guessing that there is some demand for handmade guitars here. I think maybe Classical guitars might be more in demand than Flamenco ones. But the question is whether there is a big enough gap in the market for me (and others) to become professional luthiers after studying. Or at least make a living somehow. otherwise all the studying will have been a waste of time.

Thanks again for all your advice!

James

PS: Cheston, I received the files you emailed to me a few months ago- thank you! No hurry for any new ones, just whenever you get time and at your discretion.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2005 13:23:17