Official Luthiers Forum!

Me too....me too. !

I've been playing for at least 20 years now just about every day of my life. I started building about a year after I started playing because my first guitar was a junker and I knew I could do better. My playing is like my building, I never took a lesson in either. I don't think you necessarily have to be a player in order to build a fine guitar but it most certainly would help to have some one give you their honest opinion so you can make it better.

Taking this argument to the extreme, if you believe that only a player can build a good guitar then am I understand that you have to play as good as Julian Bream in order to build a really good guitar? Or for example, I can't play Gypsy jazz for nothing but I some how am able to build Selmer guitar.

Throwing my 2 cents in. Can you build without playing? Yes. Can you build a great guitar and not play? maybe. Does it help being a player? Absolutely. Players have already started training their ears to listen closely to tone (ok, not all players...). I think if you play, you are further along the path. Doesn't mean you can't get to the same place if you don't play, just may take longer to train your ears.

I think this is the same reason why if you play an instrument, it is a lot easier to pick up a 2nd instrument - even if it is totally different mechanics-wise from the first. You ears are trained, and you know what sounds good, and what doesn't.

Bottom line: Understanding the mechanics of Music helps the build process, IMO.

Glenn

I started building for exactly that reason to get myself to learn to play. It has more or less worked I play poorly but I play and take lessons.. I agree it is really the ear training that is of the most value and to have that you don't have to be a player to have that ... It is what i need to work on not really my playing skill or lack there of..

Kerry

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I miss playing in a band too. I have good and bad memories of playing with a group of like minded friends.

I don't think knowing how to play a guitar helps the build process since most of that is simply measuring. It is the setup part that it comes to play. Having played many different brands of guitars and lots of different setups gives you the knowledge to be able to replicate a setup for a client. I am sure anyone here that does repair has had more than one client say their guitar doesn't feel right and want you to change the setup after you have repaired something for them. That is when you really need to be able to feel the subtle differences in a setup and that can only be done by playing it (at least for me).

A good ear is handy but not necessary since electronic tuners can detect intonation and pitch much better than the human ear (or most people).


Bob

Had a Fella look at me once and say in a rather rude tone ...... You can Build one , but you cant play ??? I looked him dead in the eye and with the same tone said .... You Can Play one , But you cant BUILD One ???

He grinned and said ......... Point Taken .

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i play as bad as i build

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I'll tell you one thing. I wish playing would improve proportionally to building...I'm afraid I'm destined to be a mediocre player for the rest of my life.

I play. I think this helps when shaping neck shafts and doing the final set up.

I should add that I think it also helps when having conversations about instruments with other players.

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George :-)

I play electric but not often and I play the same old stuff I played in the 70's.
Funny, my son and daughter play the same stuff.
My problem is hearing loss.
I could attempt to build an acoustic, but I doubt I could judge how well or terrible it sounded.
I do have a feel for what a good setup should feel and play like from playing experience.
Of course, I'm sure everyone here who says that they don't play well are being modest.
Neat topic!

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I can play, but I have no idea how to make music. Problem is I would practice, learn a few chords and scales, but I can't seem to go from that to making music. I know the right stuff but for some reason I just can't make the right stuff. It's like an artist with a full palette yet he doesn't know what to draw.

So I stick with building guitars, and shaking down a guitar usually involves playing a bunch of non musical chord.

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I'm not a particularly gifted picker, but that does not diminish that satisfaction I get from strumming one of my own.

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Probably doesn't really matter how good a player you are. It's a good feeling.

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So true, the satisfaction that comes with the completion of a transforming a pile of wood into a functioning instrument is what its all about for me.

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

I only play harmonica and bass guitar and I build mostly mandolins and guitars, but I can set up any stringed instrument. It comes down to plucking and strumming to find out what is needed for good playability. It might not sound musical getting there but I usually get a set up that works as requested. To judge the sound, tone and volume of my instruments, I am lucky enough to have my brother around to give them a test drive. He is a great picker! So a builder needs feedback from good players to advance his skills whether he plays or not.

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Being able to play makes some things easier, but I think what matters most is whether you can listen, and what you understand a guitar to be. If a guitar to you is a beautiful object that makes a nice sound, and if you have some aptitude and work hard, you can make that. And people will want to have that guitar. If a guitar to you is an expressive musical instrument, with aptitude, hard work, luck, and the right inspiration, maybe you can make that. And there will be some people who want that instrument and are capable of making real music with it.

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