Official Luthiers Forum!

I am interested in learning the trade of the luthier. Can anyone suggest a
way to get started?



Thankyou,
Brian

It was difficult for me to get a foot in the door so to speak. But, I was persistant and found a local builder who gave me a chance to come in and help a little around his shop. Hanging back, offering to help when the opportunity presented itself and eventually gained his trust enough to start doing small repairs, set ups and then progressed in to it. There are some luthier schools around the country but, don't know the names right off hand. I know there's one in Pheonix somewhere. Not sure where you are located. But, some luthiers offer workshops to teach their art and it helps them to make a little extra money and you get your first finished guitar out of the deal at the end of the course. I would suggest type in Luthier Classes or something similar on a search engine. That might get you some leads to start with.

Hello Brian! Welcome to the OLF!

LanceK

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

    There are plenty of schools out there. I went to Dave Nichols in Malone NY. $950 for the week. The things that are covered are basic construction and a good way to learn the techniques you need to run a successful shop.
    He is world known for both his guitars and inlay work. I took an advanced course and even though I have been building for a number of years I learned more in the week I was there than I did since I started.
    His guitars are out of this world and he gets $20000 or more.
     There are other schools Amos Guitars in Reading PA Bryan Gallop is in Michigan . and Frank Finiocoio of Easton PA
     It is a great trade to get involved in
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitar

A couple more good schools are the Roberto Venn school in Arizona and Red Wing in Minnesota.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Hey Brian

Great to see some young blood wanting to enter the business, be persistent and I'm sure someone will give you a break, it the uk there are a couple of the universities that run instrument building courses, not sure if there is similiar in America, of course their is no reason (apart from cost) why you can't start it off as a hobby and build your skill that way, I'm sure the guys here will provide advice where they can.

The best of luck to you

I have been to several workshops with Frank Finocchio. He is great. I can't say enough nice things about him.

His 7 day long guitar building class is certainly a good place to start, it is intense, but he does leave some room for customization (depending on the number of students and your wood working skills). I did wood bindings on my first guitar with him.

After that I usually have worked with him one on one for specific aspects of the building process.

Again, I think training is money and time well spent.

You can call Frank at 610.258.2268. He is not much of an internet guy... so the phone is the best way to reach him.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I'll second the Frank Finnochio recomendation. I have only been to his 7 day class, but it was worth every penny. I came away with a guitar that I was proud of and a lot of tricks it probably would have taken years to learn on my own.

Had some interesting culinary experiences there too. Brock, do you remember the spinach and artichoke pizza?

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Brian, Here's a link to a list of guitar making classes. It's old so not all of the address' are accurate anymore but it will be a good starting point.

guitar making classes

Not on that list but suppose to also give a good class is Sergei de Jonge

Good luck.

Roy

Highly recommend Bryan Galloup school. If can do the 6 month program. You will build in that course an electric from kit, somekind of jumbo dred combo with 5 piece laminated neck and other features from scratchm a cutaway classical and an archtop using duplicator. Learn alot of repair work, fret work and finish. It can be expensive, but you get pretty well rounded and come away ready to build. There is a 2 month program with the first two guitars noted, but still have lots of makeup to do when done. I think with 6 month school, easier to get additional then as an apprenctice or in a shop. I know Bryan has alot of contacts and ability to get folks placed at various places, I know McPherson, Collings and other places. Great school with the best instructors. IMHO

I took Charles Fox' class last January. While there was a lot of theory and some great jigs, I still think a person would be better off to take a class like Frank's.

A buddy of mine went with me to Fox's class and he had very little experience building. When we returned he basically said the class was worthless to him because everything was over his head.

A good hands on class would have done him a lot more good than just sitting around and talking about it.

Personally, I learned a lot from both classes and would take either one over again if I had the opportunity.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I think it is important to ask yourself what you need and on what level. A Class like Harry Fleishman's is great if you can only dedicate 10 days and need the basics( around $2000). Same with Frank Fords. Frank will also taylor teach a class for $300 A day ( at least that's what he used to charge)That's one on one!!!!!. So if you need just necks...hey a day or two could do it for you at Frank's. On the other hand if you want to learn from scratch and realy dig in... Brian Gallop has a two month and a SIX month master class. Other schools like Roberto Venn offer similar programs.

Charles Fox's is a master of jigs( and a true Master Builder). So is our very own SYLVAN WELLS( Sylvan recently offered a great class on Jigs and his new Semi-Hemsipherical fret system...awesome! you gotta see all the Beautiful guitars he has built). Ervin Somogyi( One of the Best) offers a hands on advanced luthier course
once a year on tunning tops/braces/voicing/dipoles/monopoles/cross dipoles/everything and then some among many other topics.

You can also buy every video and instructional book out there ( and there are a lot). StewMac and Erlewine have made some realy spectacular videos ( I have bought probably every one they have made and all offered great info). Bob Benedetto has a great set so does Frank Ford.

So depending on your time, pocket book, and end credentials desired ( like a certificate from Venn or Galloup) there is an awful lot of "classes" to be had.

P.s. don't forget the symposiums like ASIA and Healdsburg were there are many great classes being given by Master Luthiers all day long! Dave-SKG38567.7123726852

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

    If you have no experience Dave Nichols is pretty good as he has everything for the entry level builder. His price is also hard to beat and you will learn some very basic skills.
    Once you get more into it Frank or the Fox school may be better as you have more info and you will be more aware of your needs.
    Building is not that hard it is the fit and finishing that sets builder apart. theory and construction techiques vary widely and there are many ways you can do the same job.
    Frank and Dale unger have some of the best classes for arch tops.
john hall