First Luthier Building Project

So I am saving up some dough so that I can afford to get the necessary items to start building a guitar. I’m looking forward to working with Sensei Todd to get started. I still need some more money before I can start that adventure.
In the mean time I want to practice, and test my wood working skills with a little project that should help me prepare for Sensei Todd. I’m pretty sure that project will be.....................................................A Mountain Dulcimer.




It looks like it would be fun to build, and fun to play. The materials are cheaper, and let be honest….Amy wants one. I really think it will help me improve my skills so I can really get going with the instrument building and repair. I am having fun with the little projects I have done so far, but I think I’m ready for the next step.
I still have some instruments that friends have given me to work on, and I will continue to work on those. Some of those require skill beyond what I am currently comfortable with. I’m hoping that building this dulcimer will help move me in the right direction.

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Posted in luthier

Luthier Work/Merlefest

Sorry I have not updated. Things have been crazy and I have not had much time to post. I did finish the bass I was working on a few weeks ago.
I replaced the tuners,
cleaned and polished, and did a setup. It was sounding great when it left my workbench.

Since Finishing this Bass, I received another one that needed some work. I have already started learning how to hand make a nut to replace the broken one on this Bass.

On a different note. Merlefest is this week! We will drive to Wilkesboro on Thursday Morning to try to be there in time for the Mandolin contest that afternoon. We love going and there will be even more family there to visit with this year. It's really hard to beat a four day music festival. Hopefully the weather will stay nice this year. It looks like it could rain Saturday and Sunday, but should be nice otherwise. I just hope it stays dry enough to see Steve Martin perform Saturday night.

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Posted in luthier, merlefest

New Tools and First Project

When I got home from work yesterday, I had received the first of 2 boxes of tools that I ordered for instrument repair. Some of the things I ordered were not in stock so I have to wait a little longer for those.

The first box contained:
Bench Rest
Precision Straight Edge
String Action Gauge
8 Under String Radius Gauges
2 Dual Edge Nut Files
3 Piece Mirror
Digital Caliper
Nut Blanks
Bridge Pin Puller
Hide Glue
Preservation Polish

Here is a picture of my almost finished workbench. It’s usable now, but needs the top attached, and some sanding.
These new items, combined with what I already have will let me get started. I hope I don’t have to wait long for the other box.

A friend gave me his electric bass to work on. It is in decent shape and only needs some standard stuff so I feel pretty confident in jumping in with this one.



I cleaned off the dirt and grime from the body neck and the hardware last night. It needs some new tuners, that I already have, and a basic setup. The action is way too low on this bass. The neck is straight so I’m hoping I can take care of everything by adjusting the saddle and the neck. If I have to I’ll make a new nut for it, it may have to wait until the 2nd box of tools arrives.

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Becoming a Luthier

I have been thinking a lot lately about becoming a luthier. I have thought about it in the past when I was making minor adjustments to my own instruments. I really started thinking about it about a month ago when I had a dream that I was in my basement fixing a guitar. Ever since that dream I have not been able to get the idea out of my head.

That day I started searching for anything I could find about luthiery. Traditionally becoming a luthier involved a long apprenticeship with a master somewhere. Builders of classical instruments have been doing things that way forever. You could only become a luthier when your master said you were ready. As cool as it would be to apprentice and learn how to build and repair all the strings instruments it takes half a lifetime to do it traditionally, and there are not many places where you could actually apprentice. Also an apprenticeship is a full time deal, and in today’s world it does not make much sense.

I found several schools that I could go to, but they are expensive and not close to home. I would have to go out of town for several weeks. The shortest program I found is 6 weeks long. Others I have found are as long as a year. I love the idea of going to a school to learn the skills but, I don’t know how far I really want to take this. After all this is all based on a dream I had. I don’t want to rush into anything.

So I have bought a few books and videos from a luthier supply website, so I can learn some basics, and see how I like it. I have several friends and family members who have instruments that need repairs, and they have all been nice, and trusting enough to give them to me for me to learn on.

I won’t touch any repair that I don’t feel like I can handle, so I’m not worried about screwing up anyone’s instruments.

This past weekend I started building a workbench, so I have a place to work. All I need to do is attach the top of the table, a little bit of sanding and it’s good to go. I’ll put a varnish on it later if I think it needs it.

I ordered a big chunk of the tools recommended by the schools to get started. This type of work requires some very specific tools, so there was no easy way to get around buying them. If I decide that this is not for me then I can always sell the tools on eBay or something.

The tools should arrive today, and I’m excited to start. I want to share my progress as I make it. Maybe I’ll post some pictures as I start working.

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Posted in luthier, music