I want to learn to be a luthier

swamprocker · #1 01-16-2007, 09:42 PM

where can I learn to be a great luthier? are there any luthier's on here that can offer advise?

swamprocker · #2 01-17-2007, 10:14 AM

anyone? books, videos, seminars? any advise?

Sam Sherry · #3 01-17-2007, 11:18 AM

I'm not a luthier but I used to be a bad one. The first thing to know about luthiery is, "Don't be in a rush."

I know succesful luthiers who have learned a lot at the Violin Making School of America and the North Bennett Street School.

I know other succesful luthiers who have worked as apprentices and not done the school thing.

I don't think I've ever met a great luthier who learned it all from books, vidoes or short-term interaction.

Good luck, bro.

swamprocker · #4 01-17-2007, 11:42 AM

thanks Sam. I definetly don't want to rush. Just no sure where to begin. I hope to learn by doing a lot of hands on.

mpm · #5 01-17-2007, 12:32 PM

Books you might consider would be the Wake, the Chandler, and one thats really hard to find by Geo. Borun (sp?).

peasandhoney · #6 01-17-2007, 04:55 PM

Indiana U. has a teaching shop . I have heard good things, seeing as youre in the area.

PoorPlayer · #7 01-17-2007, 05:29 PM

http://www.luth.org/schools.htm

M_A_T_T · #8 01-17-2007, 07:13 PM

I'm not sure if there are any double bass making schools out there, but I don't see why a violin making school wouldn't be a bad idea. Construction styles are practically the same but on a much smaller scale. Apprenticing is also a great way to learn.

Ken McKay · #9 01-18-2007, 12:41 AM

Move to Cremona and enroll in a violinmaking school. Not kidding, if I were 16 and I wanted to be a violimaker I would do just that.

Paul Warburton · #10 01-18-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

Move to Cremona and enroll in a violinmaking school. Not kidding, if I were 16 and I wanted to be a violimaker I would do just that.

Great idea Ken!
Also, keep doing what your doing...check out our great luthiers here on TBDB. They're all very approachable, and each have great web-sites.
Ken McKay used to nag me constantly, and though i'm not a luthier, his interest in lutherie was so profound, he's a highly thought of luthier now, presently making a cornerless pear shaped bass that has all of us excited....well, at least me.

And please go to: www.kensmithbasses.com for pictures of some of the most beautiful basses in the world collected by one of the most passionate bass people in the world including histories and repair info! It'll make you even worse than you are.

swamprocker · #11 01-18-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

Move to Cremona and enroll in a violinmaking school. Not kidding, if I were 16 and I wanted to be a violimaker I would do just that.

yeah, maybe if I were 16. but since i'm 35 and have a family the 'ol lady my put her foot down on that one.

I just found out from my buddy and band mate that there is a violin maker just a few miles down the road from him. I might stop in there and chat him up.

swamprocker · #12 01-18-2007, 07:44 AM

Thanks Paul. looks like i'll be spending some time on Kevin's site reading.

Bob Branstetter · #13 01-18-2007, 10:53 AM

I almost didn't reply here because I've seen this topic come up countless times and 99% of the time, the person asking the question doesn't like the answers because they are already convinced that they can learn "on their own" or aren't willing to leave their home town to learn about it.

The question you have to ask yourself is what does the word "luthier" mean to you. If it means doing the common repairs (i.e. clamping & gluing) on broken instruments, you can probably get by with books and a friendly violin maker. If you want to get into the world of true professional restoration and instrument making, IMO there is no substitute for spending a few years working as an apprentice under a master luthier and/or working in one of the larger shops that specializes in doublebass. Even luthiers who graduate from one of the 4 year violin making schools frequently spend some time working in one of these shops before going out on their own.

clink · #14 01-18-2007, 04:07 PM

[quote=Bob Branstetter;3732057............ there is no substitute for spending a few years working as an apprentice under a master luthier and/or working in one of the larger shops that specializes in doublebass....................[/QUOTE]

Hey Bob,
Wanna take on an apprentice?

Bob Branstetter · #15 01-18-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

Hey Bob,
Wanna take on an apprentice?

I already have enough problems Greg!

Marcus Johnson · #16 01-18-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamprocker

yeah, maybe if I were 16. but since i'm 35 and have a family the 'ol lady my put her foot down on that one.

Wow.. my wife would be all over that one....she'd be in the attic, looking for the luggage.

swamprocker · #17 01-19-2007, 12:17 AM

Bob, thanks for taking the time to respond.

While I obviously can't leave my home town, I definetly believe in needing the guidance of master luthier. I too was hesitant to start the thread thinking I would not get many responses due to the fact that I figured this topic comes up often. :-)

Paul Warburton · #18 01-19-2007, 02:13 AM

Didn't Murray Grodner used to own Lemur, run his bass business and teach at the University in Bloomington? I always thought of that as a pretty prolific DB town.
Check with some of the symphony players there. Call the Musicians Assoc. to get phone #s.

Heifetzbass · #19 01-19-2007, 07:24 AM

The University of Indiana has a course in violin making and repair. (Actually, a degree program.) I would check into that. You may be able to work and take some classes, maybe even audit them.

My local luthier went to school there, then worked at Potter's in MD, then got his "own" shop here in Greenville. He definitely got a lot out of his program, but spending time in the shop gave him real practical experience. He now repairs and makes some fine violins- and a living.

FWIW
Brian

Bob Branstetter · #20 01-19-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heifetzbass

The University of Indiana has a course in violin making and repair. (Actually, a degree program.) I would check into that. You may be able to work and take some classes, maybe even audit them.

My local luthier went to school there, then worked at Potter's in MD, then got his "own" shop here in Greenville. He definitely got a lot out of his program, but spending time in the shop gave him real practical experience. He now repairs and makes some fine violins- and a living.

FWIW
Brian

It sounds like this might be a good starting place for swamprocker. Finding a true Master Luthier to train under is difficult. Most will require that you have some formal training before they will even talk to you and then you will have to sell yourself and prove that you have what it takes. Your local violin maker may be helpful, but being a good violin maker does not make you a Master luthier or Master Violin Maker. If there are no Master Luthiers in your area, find a violin family luthier (most guitar "luthiers" don't have a clue about the violin family) with atleast 20 years experiece in the violin family business. An experienced doublebass luthier would be the ideal, but I imagine you have already exhausted that avenue.