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Luthier School

#21
Ray Holt said:
Angus, you're right, it'd be hard. We would never require them to have luthiery experience before they came. Maybe just try to find ways to weed out the people who are doing it "just because it would be cool", and find people who are really going to be dedicated.

It's not so much about the ability you have coming in, but the attitude and desire you have. There were guys in my class who were late like 19 days in a row!!! Just try to avoid people like that.

Oh, and the "You only get out of it what you put it" was aimed more at life in general, at RV plus whatever job you go onto afterwards.
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Unfortunatly Ray, that would be a poor bussiness ethic, monitarrily. As for quality, it might be a good practice, but I can't see them weeding out possible undesirables with money in their hands. Just not good for the bottom line....LMAO
 
#24
It doesn't work like that, though. I go to a school that's supposedly only for the most dedicated of students, each of whom pay $50k a year, etc etc etc...and most people skip class all the time, don't pay attention to the work they're doing, don't really give a crap in general and are really only there to get the certificate. Welcome to school, and to life!!! I'm certainly guilty of it- I skip class all the time.

This happens everywhere, and there is really no way to stop it. Find a way to only bring in higher quality students...and you'll just have higher quality students that still come in late or don't take it seriously.

Trade schools of all sorts tend to have the most trouble with this, because let's be honest, they are usually with people that didn't enjoy school in the first place (much like myself!), so it's sort of a difficult middle ground. As musiclogic said, it'll only make bringing in bottom line more difficult!

You can think of it this way, though: the less dedicated students are the one keeping the school in business (and cheaper!) for those who are there to take full advantage of their education. Most colleges operate like that. So, even then they serve a valuable purpose.
 
#32
Haha, thanks for calling me dumb, musiclogic! :p

#include <MK> said:
Ha, c'mon Angus you can read. Maybe some won't go into business for themselves. I'll try again. What I'm asking is, that since students are forking out so much money what are the work placements and the return on the investment?
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That's a much clearer question! I got confused when you mentioned start up costs because I wasn't sure if you misunderstood something or where you were going with it.

Well, work placement is a bit up to the student, because it's not a trade school. The fortunate thing, though, is that companies are snapping at the heels of the students by graduation time. They also visit on a consistent basis, give money to student programs, etc, all in an effort to coerce the students to work for them. Usually students are able to get a position almost anywhere during summers, which are sometimes hard to get otherwise.

The return on the investment completely depends on the field of study. It's a bit tricky to answer. In engineering, it supposedly can lead to higher base salaries or positions, but I'm a bit skeptical of that. For pre-meds, pre-law, pre-biz, it's more to help them get into better med school, etc. I think more than anything you are paying for the name (a bit like RV), which could help you get your foot in the door somewhere that otherwise you might not have been able to.
 
#33
I wasn't calling you dumb....LMAO...just simply stating a fact of life today. Reading and comprehension are becomming lost to each other these days among, not only students, but executives in all facets of the workplace, along with the general labor force. The mind of todays general population is so overwrought with input from multiple source factors, that the mind bypasses the inheirent ability to comprehend all but the least complex of mental tasks. Otherwise known as "lack of concentration". This was not directed directly at you Angus, rather just a general statement of fact in our society.
 
#34
Angus said:
Well, work placement is a bit up to the student, because it's not a trade school. The fortunate thing, though, is that companies are snapping at the heels of the students by graduation time. They also visit on a consistent basis, give money to student programs, etc, all in an effort to coerce the students to work for them. Usually students are able to get a position almost anywhere during summers, which are sometimes hard to get otherwise.

The return on the investment completely depends on the field of study. It's a bit tricky to answer. In engineering, it supposedly can lead to higher base salaries or positions, but I'm a bit skeptical of that. For pre-meds, pre-law, pre-biz, it's more to help them get into better med school, etc. I think more than anything you are paying for the name (a bit like RV), which could help you get your foot in the door somewhere that otherwise you might not have been able to.
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How many years is the course?
 
#36
Kind of late getting in on this one but I might as well throw in my hat. I too just graduated from Roberto Venn, in the same class as Ray.

I would say that attending Luthier school has several benefits. 1) you get to do alot of networking. 2) If you screw something up there is someone else there to help you along, or to bounce ideas off of. 3) That is your 24/7 focus. I would have never built an instrument let alone three and starting a 4th each very different for the other. It got me out of my comfort zone and in the end I left with alot of skills and some cool instruments.

It has helped me get interviews with companies I would have never dreamed of and god willing a job doing what I really love.

As for Schools there are dozens. Here is an inconclusive list of schools I know of. I know that RV and Southeast Tech are accredited schools. Roberto-Venn in Phoenix, AZ, Southeast Technical College (aka Red Wing) in Redwing MN. Galloup, in Big Rapids, MI. Atlanta Guitar Works, in Atlanta, GA. Curbow, in Morganton, GA. American School of Lutherie in Portland, OR. Luthiers School International, Sebastopol, CA. Summit School of Luthiery, Qualicum, BC Canada, and Luthiers International, Lilburn, GA

As for which school is better, I guess a person needs to look at what they want to get out of it, how much money they have to invest into their education, and what type of life you want afterwards. There is no perfect school school out there. Figure out who you would like to work for and see if they have any preference on which school they hire from.

I chose Roberto Venn because it is an accredited school. The school has been around for about 4 decades, and I researched many graduates and was impressed. Now my other choice in schools was based directly from the curriculum of Roberto Venn,the instructor was an RV Grad so I figured I would go directly to the source.

If you have the drive and focus to get through the course offered, don't screw around and party too much great things can happen. I have had four interviews with some pretty cool companies and a couple job offers for my dream jobs. I just have to decide now. I would not have had the skill or confidence to do this with out school.

By the way it is great to see Ray here. He is a great guy and hopefully can build a decent bass if he gets his act together.
Ray keep the guys in line.

Scott
 
#37
Hey Scott!!! I was wondering when I'd see you on here!!!

You'll be happy to hear that I am getting my act together :) I'll be starting a 6 string bass for my friend soon. I already got the ebony FB for it. I just had to get in touch with him about string spacing and now I can draw it out. I started finishing my 3rd today too :)

How's that electric upright coming?

So you're still deciding on jobs? Keep me updated on where you end up man. I'm already starting to think about where I'd like to go after RV.

Please keep in touch, you're one of the great friends I made at RV. I'm trying to keep this class in order... they don't have nearly as much character as ours did... yet at least hahaha.
 

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