Official Luthiers Forum!

My name is Nathan. I am a student at Columbia College Chicago. I've been very interested in studying the art of the luthier for several years and am looking to find a shop willing to take me on as an intern for this upcoming summer. If located near the city perhaps longer, but I am more than willing to travel to make this happen at least for the summer. If anyone is willing or knows a shop that might be willing to help me in this matter please post their contact information. Thank you all so much for your help.

Nathan, it used to be common to find luthiers who accepted apprentices. Any more though, it's much less likely. Matter of fact, many very good luthiers actually have classes which seem to fill up. The students pay a reasonable fee, which sometimes includes room and board. At the end of the period, the student usually has a completed guitar less finish. The cost varies greatly. I wouldn't give up on the search. Several builders on this forum trained under some of the best. One builder on this forum actually offered classes last summer. Good luck finding an opportunity that suits your needs.

Secondly, just buy a kit and get after it. We'll all be glad to do a little cyber-coaching. That and visit four or five luthiers shops this summer and you'd get quite an education by the end of the summer guaranteed. I'll let you hang out for an entire day in my shop for free. You buy lunch for both of us, and bring your own dust mask!

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

I recall that John Mayes was looking for someone last year, he's in Oklahoma.
John?

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

yeah not anymore. I'm where I'm really doing great building and I think
someone would just slow me down....

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Nathan, as Bruce said, get a kit and start building right away and don't let any fear of mistakes bother you cuz like most of us, you'd be bound to make a few and further more, we're here to help , the sharing of information here is awesome!

If you already feel this passion within you bud, well then go for it, John Hall at blues creek guitars, one of our sponsors, sells great kits and is available to get you started!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Serge

On the other hand you could likely find a independent luthier in your area, one that on builds a few a year. Take the time to build a relationship with him show up (not unannounced) and watch and help clean up afterward. Maintain this relationship with out imposition and you will be rewarded with knowledge.

It is true that an apprentice is a hindrance and a huge cost in a small shop because it is expected that the luthier teach and the apprentice learn. This requires time that is not product productive. It also means material that likely to be lost due to the learning curve. Probably twice or three times the time required than if the apprentice was not there, and time is money.

If things go good for small shoppers and we are able to build a guitar that we retail for $2500 in 150 actual man hours, and assuming we have $500 in materials and $200 in consumables and utilities over that 150 man hours, we get paid $12 an hour for our very specialized skill. Now triple that time and suddenly we get paid $4 per hour. So it is easy to see why the apprentice system does not work anymore. And that is a shame.

I am one of those that love to teach, but don’t have the time or facilities to do so. Also when you start teaching the way the craft needs to be taught then teaching becomes the product and the full time Job.
MichaelP38779.6398611111

[QUOTE=MichaelP] we get paid $12 an hour for our very specialized skill.
[/QUOTE]
Wow, you got a raise! Hey, everybody, Michael's buying!!!

Michael's suggestions are very good. Just watching someone who knows what he's doing will shorten your learning curve by months or years.

not really I offer my guitars 3 differnt ways Student models 2A and 3A Mahogany and IRW/ sitka no frills at all for $800. I make about $3.50 hr on these. Customs models, 3A and up customer choice woods with some basic optional features like pearl top purfling start at $1200 and I make typicaly $8-$10 on those and Custom Deluxe models, all 4A or mater grade customer choice wood no limits on options. I make $12+ on those. A risk reward type thing. The more outside of standard or the greater the material risk the higher the charge. But even if I charged $15 an hour for all my work that is penuts for the effort. My low wages is what I consider the dues I am paying as I refine my skills in this very small market area I am in. No complants here though. My product is more than paying for tools and all my building and materials while I refine my product. What more could I ask for as a part timer at the five year point.MichaelP38779.6922685185