Hi,
This might be kind of weird. I am looking to learn more about woodworking and luthiery and I was wondering if anyone in the NYC area would let me come and hang out with them and soak up some knowledge/"help". I would gladly do grunt-work such as sweeping up the shop, run errands, etc in exchange.
FYI - I am an adult with a full time job and I approach everything with seriousness - this isn't just some fleeting interest.
Have tried that. I tried to contact Sadowsky and Fodera with no replies. I was hoping at least an email saying "no thanks", but nothing...very disappointing indeed.
I talked to Rudy Pensa and he is a very nice person to talk to. I have not asked him about learning in his shop (whereas I did with Sadowsky and Fodera), but I think he might be the best choice for such endeavor.
FYI I'm also a full time employed adult in NYC and I would definitely love to learn the luthier trade as well as do some woodworking, I just would not do it with people who are not clearly interested in having an apprentice. Just my 2 cents....
I would agree xgabriele - however, the nature of being a working adult and living in NYC creates some specific complications.
I was able to talk to the Sadowsky folks - but because they are a well established company, they operate during normal business hours. As a working adult, I am ideally looking for a hobbyist, semi-pro, or pro who doesn't keep normal business hours so I can come "help" 1-3 days a week. Clean, do graphic design, or some other favor in exchange for someone giving me a chance to observe and learn. I wish I could invest in my own shop - however my apartment is probably the size of your master bedroom and my rent is like 2 x a normal mortgage outside a major city.
That is why I am opting to go this route.
Anyone on this board based in NYC? Free labor is available!
Does anyone have any advice on how to make this happen? I am really looking to learn and simply don't have the space to use tools in my apartment (226 square feet total - yes, you read that right), nor is it feasible to rent workshop space.
prepare some samples of what you are capable of...then go to 30th st, Avella Coppollo, Umanaov's, EVERYWHERE and become the obnoixous pr**k kid with the interesting items, somebody may take a flyer on you...
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