Official Luthiers Forum!

In your opinions, how do you define "world class" guitars or "world class" Luthiery? (haven't checked my dictionary yet, but you guys are much more interesting anyway) Terry Stowell38671.4229398148

To me, its definded by the Buying Public.
If they consider your guitar "World class" and they lay down "World class cash" the it must be!

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

So, what is world class cash, then? See where this is going....?

To my way of thinking, "world class" simply means the work will stand up to the local standards of any locale in the world. For example, if you lived in a 3rd world country, and built a guitar of the local woods, with nothing more than a sharp knife, and finished it with a homemade something or other smeared on and used nails for frets, etc..., then it may do the job locally, and you'd sell some there, but it wouldn't get you far at Healdsburg. This would not be "world class". But if you take a guitar you built to japan, and they accept it as being up to par, then skip over to Italy, and they give you a nod of approval, then the same in North America, well, that would be "world class".


In the end, it's just a buzz word...

For me Terry

The world class luthiers are the ones who push it to new heights in terms of quality, and balance innovation with tradition.

My definition....the opposite of mine or me

_________________
Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

I like Mario's description.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I liked Mario's description too...he hit the nail on the head except for one thing. You have to add the consistancy factor. For a luthier's work to be considered "world class", it should also be consistantly on that level...each and every instrument on par or better than those considered at the top of the industry.
I think that a lot of us here can make an occasional brilliant instrument, but not all of us hit that level on virtually every one. I can't. Yet. Maybe someday.

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[QUOTE=Don Williams] I think that a lot of us here can make an occasional brilliant instrument, but not all of us hit that level on virtually every one. I can't. Yet. Maybe someday.[/QUOTE]


Whew, I apparently dodged a bullet there, eh?

_________________
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.