Official Luthiers Forum!

Frank Finnochio is in Easton, PA (about an hours drive from NYC) and has classes that last from 7 to 9 days. You will come away with a guitar that you built yourself. It isnt cheap, but the experience and knowledge you gain are priceless.

You can check out his schedule at www.finnochioguitar.com

 

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Reguards,

Ken H

[QUOTE=Hodges_Guitars]

Frank Finnochio is in Easton, PA (about an hours drive from NYC) and has classes that last from 7 to 9 days. You will come away with a guitar that you built yourself. It isnt cheap, but the experience and knowledge you gain are priceless.

You can check out his schedule at www.finnochioguitar.com

 

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Frank will also work with you on whatever you want to learn, he has a "day rate" for training that IMO is pretty resonable and he is very knowledgable on building, repair and restoration. That would be a nice option for learning "a little as you go"

I have also thought Bryan Galloup's school looks like a great opportunity. But I have never taken instruction from Bryan's group, but other's here have. Perhaps they can comment on their experiences.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

If you are unable to attend a training school just remember that much of being a Luthier is about being creative (creativity before capitol). If you hang out here for a while you will find out that many on the OLF are self taught with lots of help from other members, books, DVD's, and determination!

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Brad
Avon, OH

Ditto the luthier course. I have been through Sylvan Well's course (wellsguitars.com)and feel that it has saved a ton of time in my skill development as opposed to plugging away on my own. Books and dvds are certainly useful and I continue to consume them as well. But to spend time working alongside someone who has been in the trenches for a while is an experience that really is worth the time, effort and $.   I am essentially 10 months into this endeavor. At the one year mark I will have completed 4 guitars (two acoustics and 2 electrics) worked on several shop projects (other peoples instruments) learned about and built numerous jigs, as well as several repairs. That doesn't happen trying to go it alone. If at all possible find a mentor!!

PS You can pick up plenty in your spare time on the OLF

As a former student (did it a 53, 4 years ago) I can highly suggest Galloup. Can check out links noted above for the courses and cost.

If your circumstances and resources are such, I suggest the 6 month course. More guitars start to finish. They include a highend tele kit, sort of jumbo/OM (don't ask just a design he came up with) cutaway classical and an archtop. Get lot of courses in other things and repair experience. Just a great school. I am sure other are also, but know Bryan's is first rate. Also includes really decent housing.

I know for sure Bryan also gets student placed with other builders. Ones I know of for sure are McPherson, Bourgeois, and Ervin.

I know Bryan is setup with VA (for those who read this and may be in that catagory) I am also thinking, but you may want to confirm, he is setup with the State and maybe Fed Dept of Ed. for student loans.

Also if looking at this as a possible career, getting on as an apprentice to further education and building, builders in small shops are more apt to take on a person with the school training. They can come in and do more right away and lessens some of the beginning training. You then have knowledge of the tools, terms, just alot of things a small shop builder would find beneficial to their shop right away.

Doing the apprenticeship then adds a huge benefit to your own building career. You get to know folks in the business, symposiums, shows and hear and see what it take to be sucessful in this work. Not easy to break into and for sure not one to get rich at right away if ever, but the ride is great.

I may be out of line here, and if so I apologize in advance, but know this site gets a lot of folks looking and maybe can be of help to those in the following catagory's.

I did the school on VA. I did it for those who may be in this catagory under Voc Rehab program, as did on of the other students who did 6 month course. Bryan may be the only school in this field to be setup with VA. Venn is setup for student loans, but don't think VA. Red Wing or other state or tech schools sure would fall into the VA also.

I did it in the Voc Rehab program called "Quality of Life" For those looking who may be a vet, 100% total and perm, may want to check this out. Pays for the total class, all tools and monthly stipen. Easy program to get if fall in this catagory, but getting into the catagory sucks. I did it getting shop, blown up and sucking agent orange for several years and wars/operations/can't talk about it all. Just spend time in one or more wars, get to VA 100% and go for it(which takes a year or more and lots of physicals, and other things, if vet in system know what talking about) Well I will get off the pity party. I wouldn't trade my time, friends and brother served with over the years for anything. If got messed up, again for me the ride was worht it and if could would do it again, knowing what I know.

For those who may be interested, the Montgomery bill and reg Voc Rehab will pick up the cost and tools also. A CORPMAN/MARINE I took the school with a few months did it this way, and I think they helped him with a SBA loan and other things. Can get a hold of VA or Galloup if interested in Galloup or other school and VA benefits

Again if this fall in politics, didn't mean it that way, but maybe a lot of young vet's or that matter older vet's, out there looking for something in this field (looking at OLF also) and never thought VA would allow this. So maybe way for them to get into the field.

I fight the problem of thinking at times and maybe most of the time, guilty of being on the public dole, but who knows maybe I earned some of it, don't know. Other topic another time, not here.

First thing to do is to get some tools and learn how to use them, tune and sharpen them, and how to look after them. Also learn their dangers.

Learn how to dress a piece of wood so it's square all round, then to pick a reference surface where all your measurements will originate from. These are the basic elements of good accurate wood work.

Also follow the advice of all the guys above. You'll get there if you really want to.

You could start by taking a cabinetmaking class at a community college. That will get your hands on some wood and tools, although the quality of the tools and the instruction will vary widely.

If you still want it after that, a good test of your commitment would be your willingness to move to the school.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.