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Double Bass How to become a luthier?

chris1125

chris1125

May 14, 2007
1,336
11
#1
I am a bassists by nature, I've been playing longer than I can remember and have a good amount of orchestral experience. I love the bass and can't imagine doing anything else. I'm a senior in high school, I applied to several conservatories and to my delight, I got in to most of them. The problem is simply financial. I can't really afford anywhere at this point and I know performance isn't the steadiest career route to begin with so I'm starting to look at other options. I also enjoy wood working and set up/repair bass guitars in my free time. I have thought about becoming a luthier. My question is, how do you go from someone with no money and nothing but a high school diploma to a proffesional luthier? I'd like to get an apprenticeship with a bass shop but there are none in the area so I would most likely have to move to a big city, which is expensive.
Once again, this is just an idea, going to a conservatory is still my first choice if I can afford it.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
 
#2
Moving to a big city for an apprenticeship is not as expensive as college any day of the week. Degrees mean less and less as time goes on. My advice for you is to find someone you would like to apprenticeship under, move there into an inexpensive living situation as possible (probably with room/house mates), and then take weekly private lessons from someone really good.

That will be less expensive than a conservatory, or college, and you will become more practically skilled for the marketplace than you would getting a piece of paper. And while you are doing that you can decide which path--luthiery or performance--you'd like to take after you've had some experience in both fields.
 
#3
I know this is a long shot, but this situation actually exists where I am. Look for a local luthier / woodworker`s guild. I too was wondering how to get into lutherie. After spinning my wheels, I found out by chance a few months ago that a statewide woodworker`s guild is headquartered just a few miles from my home. They have a full shop available two days a week to all members, and several classes per month with master woodworkers. There are a few resident luthiers in the guild as well, I`m told. Membership is only $50 per year !!! I also discovered a lumberyard locally that carries a great selection at unbeatable prices. As soon as life settles down a little bit, I`m all over it :)
 
#4
chris1125 said:
I am a bassists by nature, I've been playing longer than I can remember and have a good amount of orchestral experience. I love the bass and can't imagine doing anything else. I'm a senior in high school, I applied to several conservatories and to my delight, I got in to most of them. The problem is simply financial. I can't really afford anywhere at this point and I know performance isn't the steadiest career route to begin with so I'm starting to look at other options. I also enjoy wood working and set up/repair bass guitars in my free time. I have thought about becoming a luthier. My question is, how do you go from someone with no money and nothing but a high school diploma to a proffesional luthier? I'd like to get an apprenticeship with a bass shop but there are none in the area so I would most likely have to move to a big city, which is expensive.
Once again, this is just an idea, going to a conservatory is still my first choice if I can afford it.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Chris, at your age you should be pursuing your passion, not making decisions based on perceived job opportunities. If your passion is music, find a way to study music. If your passion is lutherie, find a way to pursue that. I think some soul-searching is your next step, and then when you are certain what turns you on the most, go for it. And don't expect your life to follow a straight line!
 
#5
I've been dabbling in luthiery for years and always wondered what it would be like full time. A quick google search lead me to this somewhat helpful thread:
Yearly Income For Luthier

The takeaways I get from it:
- start young
- expect to actually make a living later in your career
- diversify: e.g. don't just build new instruments, also repair, rehair bows, work on mult. types of instruments.

I really like Arnold's advice - do what you love. The career part will follow.
 
#8
arnoldschnitzer said:
Chris, at your age you should be pursuing your passion, not making decisions based on perceived job opportunities. If your passion is music, find a way to study music. If your passion is lutherie, find a way to pursue that. I think some soul-searching is your next step, and then when you are certain what turns you on the most, go for it. And don't expect your life to follow a straight line!
Click to expand...

Wow! Super advice. Something tells me Arnold has a fair bit of experience in life and music.
 
#10
chris1125 said:
I am a bassists by nature, I've been playing longer than I can remember and have a good amount of orchestral experience. I love the bass and can't imagine doing anything else. I'm a senior in high school, I applied to several conservatories and to my delight, I got in to most of them. The problem is simply financial. I can't really afford anywhere at this point and I know performance isn't the steadiest career route to begin with so I'm starting to look at other options. I also enjoy wood working and set up/repair bass guitars in my free time. I have thought about becoming a luthier. My question is, how do you go from someone with no money and nothing but a high school diploma to a proffesional luthier? I'd like to get an apprenticeship with a bass shop but there are none in the area so I would most likely have to move to a big city, which is expensive.
Once again, this is just an idea, going to a conservatory is still my first choice if I can afford it.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Congratulations on being accepted into several conservatories you must have considerable music performance skills! If you enjoy woodworking and have a desire to learn more I encourage you to do both. Having multiple skills as a musician is a benefit to your ability to know your instrument and make a living. Didn't the man who started Upton Bass start out as a orchestral bassist? If possible find a luthier that will help get you started then see if you want to pursue formal training - you could do this during summers or as a side job while at the conservatory. These are just a few ideas
 

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