Luthiery

ball ox

I know this has been mentioned a few times before but just wondering what peoples views are on the subject.

First of all, as the topic suggests, I'm interested in luthiery. It seems that there are no real courses in Ireland (from what I can find on the web) with the exception of this FETAC course. I've been looking at a couple of courses in the UK (there is a good directory of places here) but am pretty shocked at the prices they are charging. For example:
this place in Devon looks fantastic but a tuition fee of £3,960.00 excluding costs for tools and materials is mental! It would seem fair enough if it was the price of a 1-2 year course in which you would learn the basic aspects of the trade but here you only get to build one instrument. Most of the places I have looked into only offer a course where you build 1 instrument from start to finish. I would imagine that when you finish, although you would know how to build a (insert type of guitar here) you would be a far cry from being a trained luthier.....
So i guess my question is, how does one get into luthiery without having to do a couple of these courses at €5K a pop? I assume it has traditionally been a master/apprentice type of craft but it does not seem like anyone out there is teaching apprenticeships

Anyone any experience in this area?

Kenny_D

I've read about some luthiers and a lot of them just start out doing some form of carpentry. Then they might join some guitar company and work from there. You'd have to learn a lot of carpentry stuff like dove tail joints. Failing that.... move abroad for a while maybe and look at some courses in america that might teach it because there's clearly not a lot of courses available here

ball ox

GStormcrow wrote: »

I've read about some luthiers and a lot of them just start out doing some form of carpentry. Then they might join some guitar company and work from there. You'd have to learn a lot of carpentry stuff like dove tail joints. Failing that.... move abroad for a while maybe and look at some courses in america that might teach it because there's clearly not a lot of courses available here

Was thinking about a couple of months in America alright but it seems that the price & content of courses over there are similar to those in Britain
e.g. this one comes to over $10k :eek:

Voodu Child

For most small luthiers, its not something you just suddenly 'get into'. As in, do a course, and bang, you're a luthier. Its not like being an accountant.

It just happens over time. Most guys just start working on their own instrument, repairing it or modding it. Maybe build a couple of warmoth type kits, learning and developing the skills bit by bit. Sure, maybe do a course or two. Learn how to paint and laquer etc. Do a few nixers, or offer your services to a local guitar shop.

For most luthiers, thats how it happens. Its just a hobby they develop over many many years...and at some point, it seems like a good idea to put the day job on hold and maybe set up a small shop.

Especially in this country. Maybe in the US you can just go and 'get a job' in PRS or Gibson factory, and gradually work your way up, but for a small country with no guitar industry, its usually just a hobby that turns into a job if you're good and develop a reputation.