Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Folks, I was just getting caught up with Andrew @ Hibdon Hardwoods and that reminded me to update the OLF.
You may recall, several members and sponsors graciously donated materials to get a few of my students started building that were interested in guitar. We entered the Science Olympiad and placed 6th--thats was good but only the top 5 moved on to state competition.
More inportantly, the interest level was peaked around the school and many more students inquired of starting a club. I run the JROTC program at the high school and the plan was to have the cadets build, but I took that one step forward and created a Luthiers Club!
I am the sponsor of the club and starting in the fall, we will have students sign up and begin a year long journey in Luthiery after school. This club will meet two nights a week.
This is more than just coming to meetings and hanging out. I have an entire curriculum planned, starting with the history of the guitar, wood specied identification, iGuitar types,in depth study of guitar parts, finishes and tone. I have a few tops that were donated that have different bracing patterns on the front and back and all the braces are labeled--Great teaching tool! Of course after many weels of classroom instruction we will move into building. At this point the interest is extrewmtly high and unfortunatley I have to limit the amount of kids that can join. I'm taking 12 students and will split them into four groups of three. I ahve enough materials to handle those builds. As you all are aware, this type of club and activity is far beyond the reach financially for any high school student, and I'm grateful for the chance to expose these kids to luthiery. If anyone has any ideas ideas or recommendations as to how to keep aquiring material, please let me know. I don't want to keep asking for handouts.

Good on ya Scott!!!

As for ideas I am sure that many of us would be happy to help - I certainly would. So just ask - the power of the OLF is awesome!

On another note won't it be interesting if any of your students design guitars that look like an F-22?

Where are you located? I was a Art teacher for 30 years. This is a great idea to get kids interested on several different levels. It's a wonderful gift to help a child find something their good at. If I can help count me in. One side note I bought reject tops from Bob Tibbets in Albany New York. They were $3 and I quess they are meant for bracewood. I resawed most of them and most were ok. Ok to learn on and probably would sound fine.

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Mistakes are mandatory-learning from them is optional. http://www.opensourceluthiersupply.com

Scott I am always willing to help with worthy projects like this. Just ask and I will do my best to contribute as much as I can.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I hate to beg, but I do love to scavenge!!

I teach High school too, and tried to get a luthiers club off the ground but without much luck so far.

Most of my back, side & neck wood comes from the dumpster at a local shopfitter.

More Walnut, mahogany, & cherry than will fill a 16 seater bus twice a year!! I also have a nice big block of WR Cedar which could well find it's way to becoming a four piece top for an archtop guitar.......

I'll have to remember to scrounge from our fine sponsors if I do get a club up and running!!

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

I may have another windfall soon so please keep us in touch and reminded about this program...................!