Official Luthiers Forum!

This was a question that Jack, my youngest son (13) asked tonight at dinner. I said, "Hmmm, I don't really know". So I thought I'd ask.

My guess is that the vast, vast majority are 1st luthiers in the family tree.

The other question I had on the topic is...are any of your children taking an active interest? I have a feeling that at least one son will follow in the sawdust footsteps.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

How about second and a half. My grandfather built a few but my father never did.

My dad made custom rifles, and I build Cannons... ok that was lame... but
my dad did make awesome custom riles

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

[QUOTE=John Mayes] My dad made custom rifles, and I build Cannons... ok that was lame... but
my dad did make awesome custom riles[/QUOTE]

John did he turn his barrels or have them tuned?

he has done both. And also was a gunsmith for years, as well as a
machinist.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

My lineage is simalar to Michaels. My grandfather was a professional
musicial who did some work on instruments (mostly banjos), while my
father was a machinist and restored older raceboats. There is certainly
something to be said for this being in the genes though. I few years ago I
met a 2nd cousin (I think - maybe third or something once removed) that
I never knew existed who is a violin repaiman just across the river in
Canada.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

My grandfather was a violin and mandolin maker. He was also a musician in the big band era. Frank Dowey and the Rhythm Ramblers.

My son has built several electric guitars and basses, and plans to build his first acoustic guitar as soon as he finishes rebuilding his Fiero GT.

Al

3rd GGFather was a wagonmaker, 2nd was a wheelwright. On my mom's side, grandpappy was a carpenter in LA. I use his 4 inch drawknife each time I make a neck. I also inherited his No 2. Stanley Plane and his Stanley N0.45 router plane and a spirit level. My dad was an asphalt cowboy then trucking firm owner, he never built a thing. Once he thawed out the pipes in the well house with his kerosene torch. Later we enjoyed the fun of watching the well house burn. Kids in a bathtub make a lot of noise watching a cool fire. My mother on the other hand built a stool for the bathroom which included a magazine rack on both ends. She would comb my sisters hair as she sat on that stool. It's still around. No Luthiers.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Great Uncle on my dad's side was a violin maker and instrument repair guy in eastern Europe. Grandfather - shoemaker by trade and made wagon wheels and barrels for extra cash. My dad was a blacksmith and made a lot of jigs for his uncle and father. So I guess it kinda runs in the family.

Anthony, yeah Blacksmith, my Gr Grandpa was one. He could weld the crack of dawn, so they said. I wasn't around.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

I'm the first in my family. Hopefully my son will want to follow suite...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

cool pic alan

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I wanted to post a pic of my son, age 10, surpassing his old man. He has autism, bright as hell and very verbal, and sometimes that's a blessing, but he is always. Anyway, another trait is an obsession with grouping things. I know, long story, but I'm getting to the point! My mom and brother got me Frank Finocchio's DVD's for Christmas and Michael got as hooked as me. The next thing we know he's making paper cut-outs of guitars left and right. He's up to nineteen to date. Shame on me, as I'm at 0 and still have to work on my shop first. His mom even got into the act today by making him uke-sized paper guitar (hollow body, neck, and peghead) The good thing is he's never been so creative before. The bad thing is the aforementioned guitar count that puts dad to shame!

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DES - Shepherd, MI

Great story Darin

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Actually, I may have two apprentices someday. However, my 12 year old wants to be the next Orange County Choppers. More power to him, I say. That way, if it works out for him, I'll have someone to give me a job if lutherie doesn't for me.   

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DES - Shepherd, MI

Ooooh, a Stanley #2 with family history! Way cool.

Only contemporary family I know of is the deJonge clan.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

It's the only No. 2 I've ever seen. I'd trade it for ten minutes with my grandpa, bless his soul.

Darin, Thanks for sharing about your son. My brother in law and wife has a brilliant son with the same. Cole is brilliant. He loves trains and is smart as a whip. Small world. His symptoms started soon after his childhood shots. ? We love him, he's 7.Bruce Dickey38767.2781365741

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Great blessing you have there, Darin! Sounds like you may have a motivated apprentice to help you get your shop built. Then you can have him go 3 dimensional with his creativity...of course under Dad's waychful eye.

That's just a terrific story!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

My great-great-great grandfather studied under one of Antonio Stradavari's students...and then passed the family trade on down through the years. My grandfather was the first to switch to making guitars, but still carried on in the family tradition. My father went to business school and never did any instrument building, although he was and still is exceptional with hand tools.


Ok, that's all bull....
Me the first...that I know of. Since I don't have any kids, I'll also be the last.

Don Williams38767.0203935185

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"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."

Great pic of your son Alain, he sure looks as dedicated as his father! I can't wait to meet him in person !

Thanks Darin for sharing your story, it reminds me of how the blessings come to us, mysterious ways they say but uniting a family like no other means would...

For the thread, i'm the first and probably the last too, ain't got any children of my own. My wife's son is more into trumpetts and saxophones than stringed instruments... Oh well, if i can make Mom and Dad happy with my next 2 builds, it will be heaven!

Okay, you guys with no offspring, have none of you heard of Tony Randall? If he wasn't proof that your never too old to have kids then I'm never going to build a guitar!!!!

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DES - Shepherd, MI

my grandpa on my dads side had a woodshop and built wooden toys. I remember going in the shop and was like a kid in a candy shop. My Great Grandpa on my moms side I'm told, built cedar lined blanket chests and furniture.My Dad was a machinist and I still use some of his tools and have his toolboxes too.So craftmen run in the family,But no luthiers.I will be the 1st if I am blessed with the privelage...and the last as I have no children.
Tim

I will take this opportunity to introduce myself to this terrific community
of luthiers. I have checked in here frequently over the last year or so, and
just want to express my appreciation for the openness of most people
who practice and love this craft. I don't think I will ever be a frequent
poster, but I sure do thank those of you who are.

My father was a life-long cabinetmaker. During WW II he worked for
Fairchild making wooden-framed airplanes, and met a violin-maker
there, who guided Dad through the building of a violin. That was the only
instrument he built until 25 years later, when he decided it was time for
something different than the cabinet and furniture work. Then (in his
early 60's) he made a few violins, and then switched to folk harps,
dulcimers, and viola da gambas in several sizes. I was in my 20's at that
time, and made quite a few dulcimers. He guided me through the
construction of a viol also, which was a wonderful experience. I dreamed
of making guitars then (30 years ago), but life has a momentum of its
own and led me in other directions until last year. So technically yes, a
2nd generation luthier, but realistically just another beginner.

Brook Moore
Halfway, Oregon

Sergio Zepeda, the luthier I'm working with here in Nicaragua, is a third-generation guitar maker. Unfortunately his father was a drunk and sold off every single piece of equipment his grandfather had, so Sergio had to start from scratch when he decided to go into business as a builder (had been a singer in a couple Nicaraguan bands). Pretty cool story, actually. He's been trying to get someone to sell him one of his grandfather's guitars as he doesn't own any for the above reason...unfortunately/fortunately they were pretty good and none of the current owners want to sell them! I suppose that's a good problem to have.

Andrew Wright
Managua, Nicaragua