Official Luthiers Forum!

I was wondering, since I have been building guitars for so many years, I think its right that I get some kind of a formal training in order to become more professional. I am just wondering is there any kind of formal training or internships I can be a part of in Europe or other countries (the market for Luthiery is really bad... only a handful of people ever deal in that and they are not interested in taking anyone in, after all people only produce cheap guitars in Taiwan and if they want something better they import from Europe or America) either with a company, or a private builder. My friend in Taiwan advised that I should collect pictures of all of my works over the years and compile them into a portfolio and write a resume, then send it to various luthiery companies. I am open to making just about any stringed instruments not limited to guitars, I am just wondering other than OLF, MIMF, reranch, and others is there a directory of manufacturers or luthiers that I can attempt to contact?

I am not looking for a one or two month course, as I am unlike to learn much more than what I have already learned here and by my experience... it's hard to learn the real meat of luthiery (like tap tones) within one month... those things require years of training. I am more interested in either doing an internship or apprenticeship.

I want to thank you all for the support and guidance you guys have given me and I feel it's about time that I take this a step further.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

In Belgium there are two schools. One in [url-www.cmbpuurs.be]Puurs[/url] (parttime) and one in Boom (fulltime).

Ervin Somogyi takes apprentices. He's one of the few who do.

I can't really do it with a luthier who lives in America... visa is very difficult to get to the US and I am certain I won't get it. It does suck though because most of the good ones lives in the US.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I was told by Greg Byers that it's difficult to make a living by making guitar almost everywhere in the world. Why did you have problem getting a VISA and why is that a problem? I thought anyone who is capable of moving to another country/continent easily shouldn't have this kind of problems. Please enlighten me.

You can learn a lot in a month...nag Al Carruth for awhile and see if he'll take you for a month. His prices for teaching are an order of magnitude less than what time with him is worth.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

The Summit School in Canada is pretty good. I did the one year master course.

Here's the web site:
http://luthiers-international.com/

By the way, what are the career prospect for luthiers, whether its building or repair?

Is it an all or nothing deal (either you're not a luthier or you have 20+ years of experience/formal training) in order to get businesses, or it's not as bad as I think? What are the demand for luthiery services?

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Prospect... Hmmmm...
You've made two guitar over the years. You said no one you can find wants to buy your guitars or have them for free. And it must be the market.