Official Luthiers Forum!

Sad, especially when there were others who were more deserving still on the waiting list.

if they had honestly evaluated their skill level and sought out more local or regional instruction...

I am familiar with some of the grads. Given that what is taken out of a course is proportional to what has been put in by the student and instructor, I would look carefully at all of the residence programs before signing up for anything.

And apprenticeship versus student versus whatever...I would not call any period of instruction under 10,000 hours of full-time work an 'apprenticeship', given that the aim of apprenticeship is sufficient mastery to proceed to journeyman status and work either unsupervised or in larger shops where close supervision by a master is impractical. I think there is a tendency - particularly in the US - to elevate what is in essence a short internship or traineeship to something suggesting more mastery and structure than supported in fact. Given what I have seen of the grads, even a longer course such as the sort Roberto-Venn offers is aimed at an introduction to the craft and some basic level of proficiency in a subset of luthier and related tasks (machine and hand tool use, prep and simple finishes, etc.), versus something approaching journeyman status. That some of the grads are more proficient reflects on their own talents and work ethic, rather than the overall standards of the institution.

I also don't care to see an informal, open-ended situation referred to as a course of instruction or a class; it's may be both less than or more than that, so I usually suggest to folks that - having built an instrument with someone - refer to it as exactly that - "I built an instrument with so-and-so" rather than "I studied...", "I assisted...", "I swept floors for...", etc.

And for the record, whomever chooses to have Filippo grace their shop for a week or so will - upon reflection - get as much or more out of the experience than their erstwhile student. At the very least, insist upon Morelli providing the coffee making gear and beans.

After reading reviews and the curriculum of R-Venn I am going to pass on it. Too cookie cutter and intro level. Im certainly a beginner, but I feel like i've read, watched and done enough over the past few years that I wouldn't get what I am looking for out of it. I feel like my time would be better spent getting experience on my own.

I also don't really have any interest in electrics right now and it seems like half the course is focused on that. What drew me to it was that I could use a chunk of my GI Bill.

To those who would consider spending significant time (and money) to study with someone prominent I would first ask them "are you ready"?
By the time I went to Spain to take the Romanillos course, I had been building for over forty years and was in a position to get the most out of what he had to offer. It was my first formal learning experience in all that time and I made a point to fully participate in the methods he offered as well as being constrained by the extremely limited tools (one little power jig saw) which were present. This included learning to use a hand cutter and chisel to cut our binding and purfling ledges.

It was a bit distressing to see that many who had been admitted to the course (by virtue of their position on the waiting list) were beginners who in some cases were making their first guitar. These folks struggled with the most basic aspects of woodworking and were in no position to absorb the unique offering that they were privy to.
Sad, especially when there were others who were more deserving still on the waiting list.
As far as the course specifically, though I've been in recent touch with Jose' and Marian on other matters, it does seem clear that the museum in Siguenza has closed due to financial issues and that they are looking for a new home for it's collection.
Because the most recent courses (the one Robbie attended) were associated with the museum, I'm assuming a new venue would also have to be found if these were to continue.........?