Official Luthiers Forum!

I'll be in Scotland for a couple of weeks in early August. Any luthiers there who might not mind a short visit from a Hawaii based instrument maker?

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“ The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away” Pablo Picasso

Hi Bob
I'm a newbie (4 guitars so far) so there's not much point in visiting me, but not many professionals in Scotland are on the forum often as far as I have seen.
If you google "luthiers scotland" you could get several email addresses.
I can think of some luthiers here, Colin Morison (classicals) Arbroath, Moon guitars company (mainly S/S, well known) in Glasgow area who I thinks accept visitors, one classical builder just outside Aberdeen, a mandolin maker Inverness area, etc
Here's a start http://www.luthierdirectory.co.uk/luthier_search.html
Have a good time when you are visiting, that should (hopefully) be a good time to visit!
Colin North

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I couldn't disagree more. One, four, or forty-four, any person who can actually create an instrument from raw wood has something to say about them. The most clever students and observers of the craft develop a true sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness that allows them to see the merit in communicating not just with experienced builders. And those that accel the farthest in any field of endeavour never really stop being students, or keen observers.

And consider the acknowledged masters of today. In perfect hindsight, who wouldn't want to have had the opportunity to speak to say Somogyi or Manzer at the time of their number four, and thus have benefit of understanding something deeper about where they started and how they evolved over time? Maybe you are tommorrow's Somogyi.

I know this much, if I were coming to Scotland, I would love to see and play your one two three and four : -)

Well I hack, chop and saw bits of wood to try and resemble guitars - newbie so - probably not great for in depth discussion on the the 'dark arts', but have played for over over 30 years (badly) and spent much of that time trying to understand what makes them work and sound as they do... just set up a new workshop when I moved to Scotland last year, so you are welcome to pop in for a chat if in Fife... but as Colin mentioned, there are far more experienced professionals out there that you would actually learn from... with me, I amke a good cup of coffee/Tea or beer and talk alot about wood and tools, if that's of any interest!

not from Scotland.... but wait.... my grandfather was..... so to the Americans that make me Scottish, right?

anyway in reply to the "i've made 4 so I don't know much" attitude...

NO WAY!!!!!

I find the new folks MUCH more entertaining and challenging in thier ideas before they get the chance to settle down to be building purely to satisfy thier clients rather than for FUN.

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

Like your style Martin!

I must admit, I do enjoy the freedom with doing this as a hobby rather than as a professional - certainly takes off the pressure (enough of that stress in the day job) and no problem with making mistakes... I tend to stretch myself a bit on the limits of my current woodworking skills... but enjoy it all the more when it goes right... and learn a huge amount when it goes wrong (which is more often than I would care to mention!)

Nice to be able to build what you feel like, try different approachs without only one end user to satisfy... me

...Although I have no intentions of doing this professionally (would have needed to start when young and mortgage free) am building for friends and family at cost of materials - well about to start on a thinline acoustic bass - nice that my friend is open to trying new things... so we can both see how it turns out!

My thought was that perhaps Bob's time is limited when he is visited.
I would be positively delighted for any visiting maker to come to visit my small shop and talk about building, just give me the chance - pickup/directions, B & B, whiskey distillery tours included at absolutely no extra charge. LOL!
There are even 2 well experienced makers at least close to me whom I whom I would like to visit, perhaps we could go together.
Just PM me to make sure I am there!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Thanks for the replies. Yes Colin, to me 4 guitars IS a lot of guitars. You'll find many builders on the various forums who will NEVER get to guitar number 4, or even finish number 1 for that matter. I learn from everyone. Many "experienced pros" can be too pro for me. I've been doing luthierie nearly 40 years now and I'll never be a very good fit with production techniques. The link you gave me to the Scotland makers is excellent. Anne & I have no exact travel plans yet. In fact we never make any plans, so I don't know routes or timing at this point. As the timing gets closer, we'll know more. I hope to meet up with you. And Frank, we drink all that stuff on your list, so hope to meet you also.-Best regards, Bob Gleason

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“ The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away” Pablo Picasso

My grandmother was from Scotland. She made the best shortbread I've ever tasted and lived with my aunt in Ashfield Massachussetts. My clan is Stewart of Bute.

Hello from California. Hawaii rocks and the Goodall factory is worth visiting on the big island. Someday I'd like to visit the old country. Closest I've been is Giant's Causeway on Ireland's Antrim coast.

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

Would be fun Bob, so please PM nearer the time... always good to talk guitar, wood, drink a cold beer, or as we say up here a wee dram, or a fine malt

Cheers

Frank

PS, Colin, maybe time is approaching for a clan gathering? the Luthier clan so to speak?

Och aye, Laddie, ya cud be richt aboot 'at.
A'll se what wi can dae whan a' kin get oot 'a this Africa place in a few wiks like.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Rory Dowling is an up and coming luthier, currently a (business) neighbor of mine in Edinburgh, but he is moving at the end of this month to Fife (which is still in Scotland...).

Rory is a hell of a nice guy, builds great guitars, and would be delighted to meet up with you.

You can check out his stuff, and contact him, by googling "Taran Guitars"

Frank, apologies for the unintelligable scots dialect message posted earlier ( you would need the advanced certificate to unscramble ) I was in a funny mood when I posted, 8 p.m. offshore Cameroons in a tropical downpour can be wierd!
Can I contact you when I get back from this posting to arrange something?

Murmac - I had a look at your neighbor's website, and he builds some really amazing guitars. I'm impressed with his website as well.
Do you know where he is moving to in Fife?

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

'Nae bother' I understood most of it! (although as someone from the 'South', I have the advantage of being married to a Scot )

Please do get in touch when you get back, I emailed Rory Dowling to see if he was interested in a chat sometime if moving to Fife, so maybe will hear back)

Have a good trip!

@ Colin & Frank

Rory is on holiday at the moment, should be back by this weekend, I will find out his moving date, and his exact new location, then. I know that his move is fairly imminent.

Thanks Murray.

Would be good to meet sometime and discuss a few things guitar.. wood... maybe a beer!

Friends, I am continuing to check the postings here, but am just laying low until it get's closer to traveling. Traveling dates are landing in Edinburgh Aug. 9th and leaving on Aug. 23, though I'll actually leaving be Hawaii 2 weeks before. No traveling plans, except to stay out of big cities as much as possible. Hope to get in on some wood/beer/scotch/coffee discussions. Aloha, Bob

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“ The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away” Pablo Picasso

A safe journey to you both.
No real "big" cities here, but Edinburgh will be busy when you arrive, the Festival will be in full swing.
It is a nice place to look around. Don't know what your plans may be, but maybe take in a show if you feel up to it.http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/festivals

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

So, getting closer to the Scotland travels and know a bit more about my plans. I'll be leaving home in a little over a week, but will be in Scotland on August 9th. So far I know I'll be based around Stirling for the first 2 days and then most likely heading to the West coast after that. I know from previous travels that it turns out to be very difficult to meet up with luthiers, but I always try and sometimes succeed. If anyone is along that proposed route, I'd like to give it a try. I will have a car, and since it is only a rental, I can drive it anywhere on any kind of road! I enjoy meeting other builders and seeing their ideas. I know from experience that we can often learn things from anyone, no matter what their skill level. Luckily my wife supports that. In fact, she has built several instruments herself.-Bob Gleason

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“ The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away” Pablo Picasso

Bob, some photos would be nice if you get a chance to meet up with someone.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

nooooo - I am too to be photographed

Bob - I am based in Fife which is West Coast between Edinburgh and Dundee/St Andrews way. i have an existing comittment with work between the 9th and 13th but would be great to meet up after that if it fits with your plans - same goes for all the Clan north of the boarder!

Ha ha.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Its true...I give folk nightmares - (or maybe that's just the sound of my instruments when I play them... )

...I am sure a few images might escape and be forever floating in cyberspace if we meet up.

Steve, Looks like we'll probably pass you by on the beginning of our trip since you'll be busy. We leave Scotland on August 22, so hopefully we can catch up with you on the way round. Are you in the phone directory book, or do you folks have phone books?-Bob

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“ The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away” Pablo Picasso

Bob... did you mean me or Steve?

I will PM you my contact details

Frank