Advice for Aspiring Luthiers

You will not be surprised to learn that I am frequently asked questions by aspiring guitar makers like: How can I learn guitar making?; How can I “make it financially” as a luthier?, and (most frequently); “Will you take me as a apprentice?”  My website has led to many such inquiries over the years.  I welcome these inquiries and enjoy them, but it occurred to me that it would be helpful to post some information right here on the website itself.

I am not seeking an apprentice and don’t ever expect to, but I am presently reaching out in my senior years to connect with younger luthiers and aspirants.  This is the time when I really will have learned something about this demanding craft, at least all I’m ever going to know.

My mentor, a local self-taught guitar maker whose name was Macario Breseño, took me into his workshop as a student, refusing to accept compensation of any kind, and I hope to be able to use his example as a basis for applying my God-given talents nowadays.  My plan is quite different from Macario’s, however; today I have digital resources—this website, Facebook, email, etc. that enable me to make instant connections worldwide.

Actually, an “apprentice”, particularly one who is not a family member, is nowadays little but a burden for a practicing luthier, and for this reason it is difficult for an aspirant to find an apprenticeship.  In times past, the guild systems that prevailed in European countries enforced work discipline and long-term commitment on aspirants so that a master could expect to eventually get some real work out of an apprentice in return for his investment of time and energy (while the apprentice could expect little but abject penury and near-slavery under the master).  Today every practicing luthier knows that an “apprentice” will pick the luthier’s brains until he has learned all the “secrets” he thinks he can and then fly the coop.  When a luthier takes on an “apprentice” nowadays, he’s probably just lonesome and wants some company.

Here’s some advice I have given to a number of aspiring luthiers:

1.) Start with this Undeniable Truth #1 of luthiery life: There are far too many luthiers in the world.  Because the guitars they make don’t wear out for decades, there is an overwhelming glut of luthier-made guitars available on the market today, and things are only going to get worse.  Does that mean there’s no room for a newcomer in the field?  No, but it does mean that you have to resolve to be the best, whatever that requires, if you’re going to make a living at it.  (This is true for guitar players, too.)

2.) Don’t waste years of your valuable time doing a lot of “apprenticing.”  There is a plethora of written, image-rich learning material available about the basics of guitar making; just do your own research on the internet, you’ll find it.  If you put in an extended time with any one luthier, you may gain some worthwhile knowledge, but you may end up with somebody else’s bad habits, too.

3.) I don’t doubt that there are some estimable schools of luthiery in the world, though I have never attended one and really don’t know much about them…except that the tuition and collateral costs (materials for your first guitar, which will probably be unsalable, travel, meals and lodging away from home, etc.) are very substantial.  Will your future luthiery income ever allow you to amortize these costs? Hmm.

4.) Don’t give up your day job until you have accumulated most of the capital you will need.  Plan to work on your guitars and your workshop before or after you’ve put in a paycheck day.  The economic return on luthiery activity never gets very large, and this makes it difficult to capitalize your business while trying to make a living from it. I worked afternoons as a railroad switchman for almost twelve years.  The work was a bore, but it paid well and was not particularly stressful.  It gave me my mornings for guitar making, the time of day when I function best.  Live in penury, so you can save as much as possible to plow back into your business.  This is hard, and you will have to endure it for many years

28 thoughts on “Advice for Aspiring Luthiers”

  1. Hello, my name is John Toon. I have been building basses and guitars (electric) for 6-7 years now and I always admire someone with the same love of creating musical instruments. I still have a lot to learn and expand on but I love what I create in the workshop. I have a coworker that has one of your fine guitars and the craftsmanship is amazing. So Im just reaching out to say hello from one luthier to another. I’m in the kansas city area by the way.

    1. Welcome, John. You’re the first visitor to respond to this completely re-platformed version of my website that went public at exactly 3:56pm yesterday.

        1. French polish entails shellac, but it is an application technique that requires special skill and practice.

    2. Hi John, I’m just starting the hobby myself and I’m also in the Kansas City area (Parkville) would you be willing to answer some questions as I work on a couple projects? I’ve been reading the books and doing countless hours of research online, but it’s always nice to be able to ask someone a question from time to time!

      Casey Schaaf

      schaaf_casey@yahoo.com

  2. Thank you for the information. Some of this I expect. Some of this I hope to push through. Nothing gives me more joy than seeing a guitar in action, played by someone who knows how to express themselves through it. Finishing work seems to be killing my time. Mess it up, strip it, do it again. That will be my next challenge.

  3. Thank you for this post, you just saved me so many mistakes. I was going to try to apprentance or attend a school and had high hopes of making a decent living once my buisness grew lol. I still might start this craft but atleast I know what to expect and avoid. Thanks so much.

    Cody

  4. I’ve been a cabinet maker for 35 plus years and looking to build a guitar or two for my son and I but have absolutely no experience in this field. Everyone I’ve spoken with assures me that I can do it. I’m self employed and should have more than enough tools set up , just looking for words of encouragement maybe and or solid advice on where to start.
    Thank you

    1. I’d recommend that you start by building a kit, Harold. You can purchase such one at Stewart-MacDonald’s Guitar Supply or Luthiers Mercantile Intl. A kit would let you try luthiery without some of the specialized equipment needed for start-from-scratch, e.g. a wood bender.

    2. If you’re still looking to do this, start out with searching for “how to build a guitar” on the YouTube channel “Crimson Custom Guitars.” Yes, he specialises in electrics, but he is one of the best YouTubers on guitar luthiery.

  5. Hey Paul thanks for the article, the frankness and reality check is much appreciated.Im in Boston and put together a strat and tele over the last few months for my own enjoyment,a friend of mine is luthier that runs a small school and suggested I take some classes with him, so I’m doing that at the moment,I’m enjoying it, but it seems like it would be tough to really make a living at it., He seems to get just about enough work for himself , and that’s it, but it might be great to bring me in some part time income, I seem to have a good touch for it,anyway we’ll seee, thanks again for this write up Rich

  6. Hello, I´ve attended high school of guitar making in Luby u Chebu, Czech Republic, 4 years study. It was great experience, the whole study was for free, you can learn a lot if you want to. There are two fields of study: guitar and violin making. The school still exists, living in Czech is not expensive and you can also stay at students dormitory for 35 euro/month. I can recommend it.

    1. Hi, what was the name of the schoool you attended? Was the course all taught through Czech?

      thanks

  7. My name is Victoria. I really enjoyed this article as well as perusing the rest of your offerings on this site. I believe that, for me, I would never want to be a luthier with the hope of making a business out of it. That said. I have a sincere passion for creating things with my own hands. Being a classical guitarist, I can imagine the joy of creating my own guitar, even if my first build was unplayable, and would likely continue until I created the perfect instrument for myself.

    Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom and experience through this venue. I am certain many of us will reap the rewards.

    Warm Regards,
    Victoria

  8. My son is close to graduating from a Luthier school in the US. They have asked him to stay on as an apprentice/student teacher for a one year stint – without pay. He is very talented and had already built a couple of beautiful guitars. Can I get your opinion on this opportunity he has? I would assume he would sell any guitars he makes during the year and after the one year he would be on his own I would assume.

    1. I don’t have any direct experience with a luthiers’ school, Dave, having never attended one. It would seem your son could learn yet more in his apprentice/student teacher role, so the time spent may be worthwhile for that reason alone, plus the chance to make a couple more guitars for potential sale.

  9. Please, is there another name for the workshop used by a luthier or guitar maker. Maybe a name that is not used often today? Lutherie or Luthere?

    1. I don’t know of any generic name for a luthier’s workshop, Dave. The two you suggested are sometimes used for guitar maker, but not luthier’s workshop.

  10. Hello, first I would like to express my admiration and thank you for this realistic advice. I have played guitar for over 30 years, and besides doing my own setup and modifications to electric and acoustic guitars over the years I have built a couple electrics. On these I did everything myself except carve the necks, those were bolt ons from other instruments. I also have recently started building cigar box guitars which I find to be very rewarding considering the relatively low cost of the materials needed for construction. I love acoustic guitars and hope to begin the journey towards being able to build my first soon. Like you have stated there is a ton of quality information and instruction online in this day and age, so I plan to learn what I can from the resources available rather than attend a Lutherie school. This isn’t something I have any expectations of doing for a living or to turn a huge profit, but for the experience and the satisfaction of knowing that something I built may be enjoyed by another long after I’m gone. My question for you is do you think that 46 is too old to begin this journey?

  11. Hiya my name is Tracey. My son has just left school. He feels that he would like to enter this field. Any advice people. Should he pursue it as a career or hobby?? X

  12. Hello!
    I am studying at the international lutherie school of antwerp (ILSA) in Belgium and i can highly recommend it!
    The study is for free, only material costs need to be carried by the students, it´s about 350€ per year! For that, we can keep our instruments, we have access to all the tools and the quality of work is really high since we have small classes and skilled, passionate, experienced teachers/makers by our side all the time!
    Learning all this from books and internet sources seems like a waste of time to me and i expect the costs to be a lot higher since one first would have to buy all the tools needed before one could even start…

    Having several teachers – learning different ways and methods – helps seeing things from different points of view and finding out what works best for ourselves while beeing prevented from creating bad habits.

    Kind regards,

    Robin

  13. I got a bit depressed reading your blog. At the same time it’s refreshing when someone is honest. I personally think it’s a responsibility of anyone doing this type of craftsmanship to pass it on to someone young. I do understand how the world is getting too busy and people are getting colder and are more apt to take care of themselves before thinking of others. I also have to disagree with you when it comes to the market being flooded with boutique (for a lack of a better word) guitars. I cannot figure out how anyone could think there are “too any” works of art. My wife and I plan to finish training and then open a school here in our area so there will be no expenses for a travel and room and board.
    The world needs more good people. Times are changing. What is time anyway? You only have a tiny bit of it and with the way the world is today we need more good people in the world. Guitars that are made good are ok. But I would argue if you want them to have a touch of soul as well, you need to add that little bit of magic. It’s different then attention to detail. It’s a mind set.
    Cheers.

    1. I have retired recently from guitar making, but I have every intention of continuing my career as a luthier, only in a different form. I have a large trove of photos which I plan to organize into a pictorial guide with commentary on my methods. I also have a list of articles I’m planning to write. These will not be Guitar Making 101; there are plenty of books already available that address the needs of beginners. Instead I will get technical and take up methods of mine that are unique. I expect there will be much still left undone when my heavenly Father takes me into His kingdom.

Leave a Reply to Paul Jacobson Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.