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In 1975 I was recovering from a crop dusting accident. I was had reached the point in learning to play that I wanted a better instrument than the Asian knockoff I had started with. Workman's compensation (18 months worth) didn't pay enough to permit much of an upgrade.

I saw an add in Popular Mechanics that offered supplies to "Build your own musical instrument" from International violin supply Co.

I bought Irving Sloan's book, some wood from Luis Luthier Supply, and all these years later I am still at it. It turns my real talent is for building not playing.

cecil carroll

I think a lot of builders--especially the hobbyists and semi-pros--got involved similarly. I didn't suffer a forced layout from an accident or anything of that nature, but I got interested in the possibility of making a guitar just from noticing Sloane's classical guitar book on a friend's shelf one night thirty years ago. One thing led to another and I still build on a hobby basis.

One day, about 12 years ago while in a book store, I came across Cumpiano's & Natelson's book. I flipped through the pages and remarked to myself "how hard can this be?"


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