Official Luthiers Forum!

The kids are about half way through our first
project...the refinishing and re-building of a
banjo-uke. When this is complete we hope to sell
the banjo uke and purchase materials to build
strumstick style dulcimers.

We've set up a crude...kid friendly...website at:

http://www.hoosiermaidukes.com/WhiteRiverHome.
html

The kids appreciate your interest in their projects.
Comment s are truly appreciated.hoosierukes38614.9634027778

Great stuff can't wait to see the finished result.

   My two oldest sons who are now 23 and 21 years old spent alot of time in my shop when they were younger. The introduction of wood shop at their elementary school back when they were in 7th and 8th grades and m,y beingn called in to design the layout and install all of the machinery sparked an idea of our building a guitar together for each of them to enter in the year end project show and contest.

   My oldest chose to go with a 000-18 style instrument and the younger favored a 00-28. Both did all of the bending and shaping and assembly under my instruction and oversight. Any dangerous power tool or machine operations were done by me while they stayed close at hand to understand the process and operation of the mchines or tools without being in any danger themselves. It was great time for all three of us and we documented all of the steps from their selection of woods for backs and sides and tops to the final application and polish of the finish with photos and descriptions.

   They both won "Best Of Show" in their grade levels and tied for the overall award. They still play both guitars and have been offered nice amounts by people who have wanted to buy them from them. It helped in their general knowledghe of woods and saw cut orientation, both hand and power tool use and set up, and the function and contribution of each component to a guitar's quality and longevity.

    I teach classes on guitar building here in my shop for 1 to 5 students at a time, but that was the most rewarding of all of my teaching experiences. They still have the photo albums from the projects too and will pull them out to share with family and friends.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Hi GB,

I've been trying to figure out about how old a kid has to be before they might be interested in building an instrument, rather than a painted macaroni art project. (Now, I'm not really making fun of macaroni art; my 6-year old daughter does some beautiful macaroni art.)

I was also trying to think of a good first project, and had figured either a banjo or a dulcimer. The only problem with the banjo project is that I will have to listen to it! (Now, I'm not really making fun of banjo music, but Bela Fleck's are few and far between.)

I tried to go to your web site, and got a comical error:


Dennis

_________________
Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

A space was introduced when the address
"wrapped" in the post. Try this (cut and pasted from
the actual page.

http://www.hoosiermaidukes.com/WhiteRiverHome.
html

Geoffhoosierukes38614.9628819444