Hello all,

I have posted a thread about this before, (Ray Holt will know) and I just wanted to pop in on the Luthier's Corner and ask you all how you obtained such knowledge?

I'm very interested in starting my journey to become a luthier. I also need this knowledge for other things in the future. But, just out of curiosity, could you give me some tips on where to begin?

I understand if I can't get what all I need. But anything helps. Thanks!

-Jimmy-

Hello all,

I have posted a thread about this before, (Ray Holt will know) and I just wanted to pop in on the Luthier's Corner and ask you all how you obtained such knowledge?

I'm very interested in starting my journey to become a luthier. I also need this knowledge for other things in the future. But, just out of curiosity, could you give me some tips on where to begin?

I understand if I can't get what all I need. But anything helps. Thanks!

-Jimmy-

well, my friend, I'm affraid it's not that easy. Here's the list of MINIMUM requirements:

1. submit your application filled with a black ink ball pen.
2. 3000 application fee (NON RETURNABLE).
3. if your application is approved, submit to being repeatedly slapped in the ass with a paddle made of 11 pieces of wenge, maple and purpleheart.
4. build many, many basses.
5. after that, and this is the most important, MAKE SURE all your basses sound "warm and punchy with sparkly highs, solid lows and a slightly pronounced mid-hump"

:D

seriously, though. I would recommend that you get several books on the subject, and maybe some videos. The Melvyn Hiscock and Martin Koch books are favorites of all here. I also like Cumpliano/Natelson's book on acoustic guitars. Some of the videos at stewmac.com and lmii.com are very useful too. I recommend Bob Benedetto's video and book on archtop guitars.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA, gotta love that mid-hump wilser, HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA, ah that is so funny.

back to the thread.... hmmmm I dont know... study the subject, study some more, then some more, and when your self confidence is alright, try to build something. Maybe try to buy some Pine and build a Bass with that... not the hardware though, hardware is easy to install, the hard part is building the instrument out of wood. It will cost you 12 bucks to know if you can or cant build. Other than that... I dont know what to say, I guess I was born a woodworker.

mid-hump.... PFFFFF HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!

Ok. So Study x3297489032759032175

Alright. I'll take the advice guys.

Do plenty of reading, as mentioned the Hiscock and Koch books are great sources. Then just try it! I built a Carvin kit guitar first, not even really thinking of becoming a luthier. But then the bug bit :D

Then I bought a Carvin neck through neck and got my own wood for the body and built my own. It's rough, really rough, but with Hiscock's book it turned out pretty good! And that only gave me the itch more. That's when I decided to really get into it.

Read up, give it a try, and see if the bug bites :)

and when the bug bites, it bites hard !!! :smug: I just sold my car for a piece of Black Walnut and some Nordstrands !!!! :D

ONE OF US ONE OF US GOOBLE GABBLE GOOGLE GABBLE!
(old movie referance, they used it in Southpark too.)

On a serious note there is tons of info on the net that will help you with the knowledge part. I think the main thing is to just do it, learn from your mistakes and just make it your passion.

and when the bug bites, it bites hard !!! :smug:

...and so far haven't see anybody here saying: "hey guys I tried and didn't like it!!"

As all of us you will find out that this is like drugs ...once you try it and you will never quit. The bad thing is that this is more expensive than drugs!!! :p

One of whom????

One of the TB Luthier's corner contributors?
Build and write about it!

A real LUTHIER??
Build and write and build and learn and build some more. Now you have so many that you need to sell some off:)

But to start:
- read them books
- do that design
- get that material
- build one!

Alright thanks guys. I'll make sure to read up on dem books!! :smug:

ONE OF US ONE OF US GOOBLE GABBLE GOOGLE GABBLE!

Hahahaha! That gets me every time. :p

[QUOTE=Suburban;4080513]One of whom????

One of the ones biten by the bug.

ONE OF US ONE OF US GOOBLE GABBLE GOOGLE GABBLE!
(old movie referance, they used it in Southpark too.)

On a serious note there is tons of info on the net that will help you with the knowledge part. I think the main thing is to just do it, learn from your mistakes and just make it your passion.

That was the 1920's movie Freaks about circus freaks. Great flick! it was "gubba gabba one of us we accept ya one of us".
The Ramones used the pinheads from the movie made it famous.

That was the 1920's movie Freaks about circus freaks. Great flick! it was "gubba gabba one of us we accept ya one of us".
The Ramones used the pinheads from the movie made it famous.

Hey all I remember about that flick is that line and this torso walking around with its hands. I heard that all the "freaks" were real life Circus Freaks pretty disturbing actually. :crying:

It is a knarly film! There was the human worm that had no arms or legs and he could roll cigarettes and light them with his tongue. Yes they used all real freaks.

I'm here to tell you there's nothing wrong with just getting out there and doing it, doing it wrong, doing it over, doing it again, doing it right, doing it again.

My shop is used nearly as much for experimentation and education than it is for production. As such, I've become conversant in a lot of different things. That helps make combinations that some folks haven't thought of yet. I've found that "out of the box" dreaming isn't assisted by paying too much attention to the conventional wisdom.

Yeah thats right, 300$ is nothing compared to not trying and never knowing if you can build ! (of course, this can be 900$ as well, depending on hardware, wood choice, pups... )

Well put Hambone! Like with anything in life, there is a learning curve to luthiery, and you get out of it what you put into it.
If you poke around here, all the information is available to get you started.

Good Luck:)