Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Lisa,

I've been down in your part of the world (my sister used to live in Eldorado.) Garden of the Gods is right in your back yard! And, when things get boring, you have the New Madras Fault to shake things up.

I too think it is awesome that your Dad ignited a passion to lutherie in you, and that you're excited to start building.

The fact that your Dad was a coal miner then woodworker made me think of dust, and I am hoping that if you do not already have adequate dust collection that you will consider it a priority before you start.

You can certainly find all the resources you need to build guitars in books, in video/DVD format, and with the help of the many great luthiers (and beginner luthier wanabees, like me) here on this forum. However, to view a number of step-by-step guitars being built, the Luthierforumis a great resource. Many of us are members of several luthier forums - they each have valuable info.

You are also in a prime area of the US for a number of species of lumber that you could build with, if you want to build with local species. Visit a few small wood mills in your area, and "plant the seed" with the owners that you'd love to get some quartersawn Walnut, or Osage Orange, or ... A piece about 1 x 8 x 36 will make a guitar back and side set.

Have fun, and welcome!

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Lisa,

What a great way to honor your Father! Welcome.

I spent some time knocking around Carbondale (in my youth) and lived in Robinson for a couple of years after school. Very pretty part of the state. Look forward to hearing about your building experience.

Lisa--

Welcome! The OLF is a really good group of people from all over the world. Don't be shy! There are people here with all kinds of expertise and we are all willing to share.

My condolences on the loss of you father and how cool it is to want to follow in his footsteps. Guitar making is a very satisfying avocation. You'll do well!

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

Hi, Lisa, I'm a Waddy, but I'm aspiring to be a Hesh! Welcome to OLF! It is a wonderful place to learn a lot about guitars and guitar construction. The people here who (most everyone) share information, are the most generous lot I have ever run across, anywhere. Someone will always have some kind of answer for you. Don't be discouraged if someone refers you to another thread in the Archives. That is often the quickest way to get you a good answer.

Condolences from me too, on the loss of your father. You are doing him proud in your desire to carry on his love for the guitar.

There are many other sites that will probably interest you, and Kathy Matsushita's site is excellent. Kathy is a member here at OLF, and shows up from time to time. Her site has some great building information for novice builders. Here is a link Kathy Matsushita "Amateur Luther". Enjoy your journey. It is very habit forming.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Lisa, I wanted to add links to a few web sites of women guitar builders, which may help inspire and encourage you. Most likely any one of them would be happy to hear from you and help you out (as would very many of the more dominant guitar-building sex).

http://www.urlacherguitars.com/

http://www.threetguitars.com/

http://www.joshiadejonge.com/

http://home.comcast.net/~kathymatsushita/

http://www.wingertguitars.com/

http://www.parkguitars.com/

I'll also mention the Fretboard Journal - http://www.fretboardjournal.com/ - and Acoustic Guitar magazine - http://www.acousticguitar.com/. The latest issue of Acoustic Guitar has their annual guitar makers' directory and a great article by Charlie Hoffman - http://www.hoffmanguitars.com/ - about crack repair, not to mention a great interview/lesson with Bob Weir.

Oh, and lest we forget, Frank Ford's treasure trove of lutherie info at www.frets.com is priceless. Though it's geared more to repair than building, every word and photo will help you better understand guitars and the materials and tools on which their existence depends. Every builder should learn as much as possible about guitar repair, anyway.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Howdy Lisa,

Good to have you aboard. I get down to your neck of the woods quite a few times a year. My dad has a place in Lake Egypt. Anyway, it appears there are a lot of builders in your area. I think someone from this board is from Heirin. (that doesn't look right ?). One of the small music shops in one of the near by towns has a guy building guitars too. I'll have to ask my dad which shop that was.

I only have one word of caution for you. While you have obviously been around woodworking and such your whole life, please remember this: If you are unsure or uncomfortable about an operation on a machine, its probably unsafe to procede! Come up with a different solution to the task that may be safer...even if it is a little more work. Simple example: I have been wood working my entire life (my dad is/was a cabinet maker/carpenter). From a very young age, I worked in his shop. So I am very confortable working with saws. Just the other day I was cutting some wood on the table saw and decided to rip down a few very thin guitar sides. While this is not the best way to do this work, the approach worked really well...until the stock I was using got too thin to hold. I didn't realize this until I was a little more than halfway thru the last cut. Instead of holding the wood firm and shutting down the saw, I proceded to push the work thru with a push stick. The last piece of wood was thin enough to slip between the blade and the slot in the table top. Because of the direction of the blade, it pulled the slat right out of my hands and down into the saw. While I was lucky enough to know when to let go and get my hands up in the air, a split second difference in decision would have taken off a good portion of my fingers on the right hand. I should have stopped when I realized the last few inches of the cut were going to be a little tricky to complete by myself. I should have never pushed the board the last few inches. I was lucky..and learned a valuable lesson again. I think each time we do something stupid in the shop, we re-learn what we already knew, but thought we could work around. My dad is 74 and still has all his fingers. I hope I will follow in those footsteps.

Please work safe and have a lot of fun! I may be headed down there with my dad in the next month or so. He is also interested in guitar building, so maybe we all can meet at the Tripple E and chat about guitars.

Joe

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Joe

Welcome Lisa;
Wanting to follow in your dads footsteps is rare nowadays !

You are to be commended for taking on the task.

We are all learning here!
Just jump in & start asking questions.
I'm sure if Hesh doesn't know the answers someone will!

send us pics when you can of your work!
Mike
Whos your favorite Nascar driver?

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Mike Collins

Oh my gosh darn, I didn't realize that you were from Marion, IL. That is about five miles away. I've also been to Tom Murphy's place in Marion. He is a wizard with the spray paint. Almost as good as a Hesh....lol When was the last time you were there.
Anyway, good luck in your new hobbie and keep us posted when you get around to starting. Feel free to holler at me any time. Al Peebles is also on here and he lives in Johnston City, IL. I've talked with him a little bit and he is one super nice guy.

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Hi Lisa:

I just wanted to offer you some educational materials if you are serious about learning to build guitars. It sounds like you have the shop, equipment and wood to get you started but it can become overwhelming if you don't take one logical step at a time. Achieve small successes based on your experience and skills and soon you will be running with the big boys.

I have several books, videos and DVDs that could help and would be willing to send them along for your use if you wish to borrow them. I hesitate to offer these materials publicly on the forum since a few of the members actually sell them. Ideally, if you knew an experienced luthier in your area, it would help to study under his tutelage. Secondly, if you could take a course (somewhat expensive) from one of the more known luthiers it could also get you started on the right foot. Finally, if you're ever in the Indianapolis area, I am about 2 hours north and would be willing to help you learn some things in my shop for as long as you could take the time.

You might wonder why I am so willing to help a complete stranger learn this craft. Well, we all started learning with absolutely no experience and I owe my skills to the few who took the time to really help me. I can never repay them but I feel that I must give forward. You'll understand that concept some day if you ever become serious about building. Over the years I have helped more than a few and always feel sorta spiritually renewed just knowing that I may have done some good.

Whichever method of learning you choose, just learn to be patient and realize that the mistakes you make are all part of the valuable learning experience. BTW, the mistakes never end...I just find new ones all the time!

Let me know what I can do to help and if you are interested in the learning materials.

Best Wishes...JJ

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JJ
Winona Lake, IN

"Play Like a Champion Today"
.............GO IRISH...............



Who is this JJ guy? I just got a PM from him.

Anyone know him? He's wanting to teach me things in his shop? Is that normal?

I'm sorry, but I just don't know anyone on here and I'd be leary of for right now.

Thank you,
Lisa

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Lisa Bullock
Marion, IL.

Good for you being cautious, Lisa. But JJ is legit, he's one of the good guys. You'll find a lot of folks like that here that will do anything to help out another builder. Especially one starting out. We've all needed help, that's why we're here!

Good on you for checking, though.

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Lisa not-to-worry even though I can understand your concern.

People are friendly here and we are in many ways a real community where not only do we interact on the forum we also get together, have events, participate in group projects, donate to worthy causes, and generally, most of the time be good to each other. This is of course if that is what each individual member wishes to participate with/in. It's all up to you how much you may wish to participate here.

JJ is one of the most decent people on the planet and I know him very well. His motivation to help you, should you wish for some help, is completely honorable and on the level. So if you are concerned that he is some whack job don't be. Instead I would be more concerned about what a Hesh is....... Just kidding...... And in all fairness none of us know anything about you either so consider this - folks are being kind to you when in reality you could be anyone - even a banjo player...... (that is a joke ya know....)

Again I understand your concern many of us are suspicious when a stranger approaches us and it's a good concern to have. But JJ is as honorable a guy as I have ever known. As soon as they let me out of the shoe I plan to thank him personally......

And I missed the opportunity to welcome you! I love your story and admire your motivation for wanting to pick up the craft. I know you Dad would be proud and it will be an awesome experience for you, I know. First on a personal level, by way of getting to "connect" with him in following suit with something he loved. Second, for yourself, I'm sure you'll quickly get hooked on the craft like the rest of us are.

I do feel for your loss. I lost my own Dad last August and miss him terribly. He was my hero and inspiration. The separation is only temporary, of course! I can't wait to see him again!

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Wow...I must say that this is the first time I've been embarrassed for wanting to help a newbie...if you read my PM, I recommended finding someone local or attending a course with a luthier before ever suggesting a visit to my shop. Others who live in the midwest have an open invitation so I only thought I'd do the same for another new builder as well.

Sorry to have offended you, Lisa. A simple response could probably cleared this up without the formal and public paranoia and embarrassment.

And to my friends...thanks for coming to my defense as character witnesses.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Welcome to the forum, Lisa. I think you'll find it worthwhile. You are wise to be wary of JJ I would also keep a close eye on Hesh and Billy.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Welcome Lisa. Glad you came out from the shadows. I'm sure you've figured out that we are seriously outnumbered by guys on the forum. Every once in a great while a thread will deteriorate into the bowels of a Frat House, but for the most part all of the gentlemen here, yes that includes you Billy, are just that, gentlemen.

I understand your concern about the PM. When I first joined I received one from member that sounded on the up and up, but there was something about the words chosen that put me on guard. It didn't take long for me to realize that the person sending me emails, PMs and being my champion in threads was listing to starboard more than a little bit. The administrators were aware of their behavior and stepped in before too long. Where as in my case the paranoia ended up being justified, please let me assure you that JJ is a great person. He is honest, kind hearted and above board in all his dealings. And he builds a sweet guitar.

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Aoibeann

I was blessed with multiple welcome PMs from different people on this forum when I first signed up, and in my experience, the kindness and welcome offered was unprecedented and extremely touching and something I will always remember.

It's great to be considered "one of the guys" round here!!!

It gave me a boost in my guitar building hobby. Here I am building #4!!

BTW, I also give my vote to JJ. He's a wonderful, kind guy, a good friend (albeit cybernetically ), a rare find these days. Not to mention a creator of beautiful guitars. EVERYBODY knows him!!!

Hello Lisa,

Your father would be incredibly proud of you, welcome to the OLF.

Cheers

Kim

Lisa -

You will find most of the builders here are open to newbies visiting their shops. I spent an incredible day with John Osthoff in his shop in Mass. and Dave Anderson and a couple of the other Florida luthiers offered to come help me unpack when I recently moved down here to Spring Hill...

Its good you are cautious, but once you have been up here for a while, you will get to know these folks pretty well.

One thing you can clear up for me if/when you go to JJ's .... is that thing a cat or a dog?

Its cute as hell, but it looks kind of trans...animal to me!

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Mitch

Lisa,

I guess I read between the lines of your opening "I've been lurking" thread title to assume that you were one of many, many people that reads a lot - maybe even for years - and then finally gets comfortable enough to step into the light of day. Maybe JJ should have known that if you didn't know what a Hesh was , (a very prolific and long time member and contributor) that perhaps you had not been lurking long enough to know who anyone is, or about the spirit of cooperation and camaraderie that is here. This isn't gender-based. Anyone who walks in the cyber-door, says "hello, I'm interested in lutherie", will be greeted warmly, made to feel at home, and will be offered assistance. As Mr. Spock might say, it is illogical. It is not logical for these lutherie enthusiasts - amateur and pro - to walk out of their shops, connect to an on-line forum, and spend time away from hands-on lutherie to freely help out "perfect strangers." That should give you some indication of the general character of the people that hang out here. As soon as you no longer want to be a stranger, you are welcomed. When you present questions, you'll notice that people are obviously spending time to ponder the question, craft an answer, and point to resources that may be helpful. Quite frankly, this place isn't about giving and taking; it's about sharing. And, when you have enough experience and enough knowledge, I hope you will be willing to share it with the next person that walks through the cyber-door.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Thanks for the kind words and votes of confidence my friends. At this point, I'd really prefer that this thread fall off the face of the earth...it's beginning to creep me out.

Please...Let's build some guitars!

Over & Out!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Over and out?

That's for sure!!! I've even been known to play jokes on myself, and we just laugh like crazy people !!

Actually Lisa, we all have a weak spot for the girly luthiers! The ones we have are really quite good and bring an restraining influence to the forum! Er... I'm not talking about the restraining order against JJ either! JOKING!!!!

JJ is sweetheart don't let that mean puppy avatar scare you.

Watch out for the Hesh !!!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

I am building my first to, well, am aabout to, still waithing for some material look forward to see your progress ..

as you can see by the many welcomes, its not so many woman in here hahahahaha. .. Just kidding. seriously, you´ve come across the best place ever here !! . I have posted a few questions, and although some of them might have come out as "beginner" and corny, they were answered with both heart and honesty. so there will be no question you cant ask. accept for "humidity" it seem i guess thats the one many are a bit tired answering, check the archive and youl see what I meen

Lars