Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey folks! I was wondering if any of you take apprentices/give instruction or know of anyone who does in the NE Ohio area. I was active on the boards about a year ago under another account.. but I cant remember the password for it.. I live in Waterford Michigan, that is to say that it is my home but after having been laid off for a year I was called to work in Lordstown, Ohio. I posted a few times about getting started and built a shop in the back of my garage. I'm this guy: viewtopic.php?t=26793
Well after being laid off for so long my entry into Lutherie was halted altogether. Now that I'm back to work though I'm really itching to get going again but having been called to Ohio I'm forced to live there separate from my family during the week in a small apartment and can't really do anything in there, and when I come home I spend every available minute with my family. What I'm hoping for is to find somewhere I can start building with instruction of some kind ideally in the area where I work. I have a lot of time during the week I currently spend wishing I could finally start building. I'm not looking for charity or anything, I am back to work after all, I just want to get moving. Waiting a year has all but killed me and I need to start building. Any info would be appreciated!

Jason Hall

There are some famously strong reasons against apprenticeship. There are so many luthiers these days that I would recommend trying to find a local woodworking club or individual, if you need support, that can be more useful.

In the meantime, just start something. Buy a kit, or a piece of wood, even a shingle, and start hacking some part out. Get a few tools, like razor knife, block plane, chisel. It will feel good just to start working towards a goal.

Well I planned on taking the back, sides and neck blanks with me to Ohio along with a smaller slab of granite for sanding/planing. My goal is to make a shooting board and join the back and thickness it. I was just thinking that with all the spare time I'll have there, if I could find an individual who would teach me at their shop, it would be the best use of my time there. I only expect to be working in Ohio for another 6 months (probably less). When I get back home I have an un-tooled shop to fill and use. I'd like to have some experience with a working Luthiers shop to take back to my own at home. I know it's a slim chance of finding someone willing to do this.. but it was worth a shot.