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Ok
So, I have made 2 guitars and I already had many. So I am at 7 guitars now.

So I start to think, I'll offer to make a guitar for a few friends if they cover the costs of material.

Adding up all the costs for a pretty simple guitar, no wildly crazy woods or anything.

The cost is about $500.

No wonder I'm broke.

(PS. I'm starting a new build this weekend with Sapele and Adirondack...can't wait)

N

What a hobby indeed....

I wonder if there is some potent substance in the wood that gets you hooked...I have never had an immensely fun, yet immensely frustrating hobby such as this...

You know, any time that you can find a hobby that uses both your mind and your hands in equal parts, and the result of your endeavor becomes more than the sum of its parts - that is a hobby that will keep you passionately hooked for a very long time.

I remember when I only had seven. I think Gerald Ford was president then.

Now I have at least seven in each of two rooms. And that doesn't count the other rooms.



Somewhere there must be a twelve step program....

Jay

Jay my friend this is the 12 step program - we are all enablers........ I think it's time for us to buy some more zoot, tools, plans, supplies, finishing materials, shop expendables, cases, tuners, truss rods and while we are at it don't forget to get some fresh glue if you use a glue that benefits from being fresh.......

For some this is a vocation.
for some it's an addiction .
for some it's just a passing fantasy .

Those who struggle through the mistakes & still love making guitars
are addicted to this art!

Then it becomes a vocation !!

mike

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Mike Collins

Hi neil,
I have been doing this "dance" for over thirty years now...

I love it when someone says something like "It must be so satisfying to build guitars".
I usually think for a moment then say something like "Yes,sometimes it is,but other times it can be the most FRUSTRATING thing I have ever done."
Just for the record I have literally cried,broken guitar tops into pieces with my bare hands,stomped up and down on guitar parts and sawn whole guitars in half on the bandsaw!!! (I am NOT joking.)
Yet looking back (and ahead) I wouldn't have traded it for anything (well almost). I guess I'm hooked......

Brad, I read your post and laughed ouit loud! I'm way behind you in terms of years and breakage out of frustration, but I'm starting to feel your pain now and then, when I re-do something for the third or fourth time, and make the same mistake multiple times (or another mistake).

I'm finding that by FAR my biggest issue is patience, or lack of. I'm always in a hurry to get through a step, so I can move on to some other one. Or to get a guitar strung up and see how it sounds... or some other reason.

But yes, it's the most addicting but rewarding hobby I've ever had, and I've had some pretty addictive ones!

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Brad, I read your post and laughed ouit loud! I'm way behind you in terms of years and breakage out of frustration, but I'm starting to feel your pain now and then, when I re-do something for the third or fourth time, and make the same mistake multiple times (or another mistake).

I'm finding that by FAR my biggest issue is patience, or lack of. I'm always in a hurry to get through a step, so I can move on to some other one. Or to get a guitar strung up and see how it sounds... or some other reason.

But yes, it's the most addicting but rewarding hobby I've ever had, and I've had some pretty addictive ones!

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

I tell my wife "aren't you glad I don't collect motorcycles?" I have 7 ukuleles and 5 guitars and still building.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I'm only 18 months in and I've already done everything you mention but the bandsaw trick.... I think thats what I love about it - always new techniques to master.

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Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!

There is nothing like finishing an instrument, and showing it to friends and insturment lovers, and hearing their praise of your talent and skill. However, you know in your heart that there are lots of mistakes, that probably only you will know and see every time you look at that instrument. You also know that you threw away two necks and a side. Thankfully, my six year old was out when I wrecked the headstock and I screamed a torent of obscenities that would make a sailor blush. However, it teaches you a lot about yourself, about being patient, diligent, and having a passion for quality and doing the absolute best work you can do and not being satisfied with anything less.

yup, I feel your pain!!

my biggest problem is that I scrounge most of my wood for free, which means that at a whim I can have a chat with a mate about electric mandolins on a Sunday, and start building one on the monday......

and hopefully have strings on it by the friday 10 days later!! (I'll let you know.... I sprayed it yesterday, & HOPEFULLY I'll get it playable by the end of next week)

electrics are so much quicker than acoustics!!

having to pay hard cash for the wood instills a huge level of respect for it and slows you down a LOT!!

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

I am now years into this and STILL buying tools and upgrading the tools I already have. I'm even upgrading the shop so that I have more room to work. When someone asks about building a guitar, it is hard to express just how addictive this can be and how expensive it can be also. More than the money for tools, wood, and supplies is the amount of time that somehow disappears into thin air. Even building from a kit can be expensive and it is sometimes the unexpected things like jigs that can eat up time and money too.

The next guitar is always the best one

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Reguards,

Ken H