Official Luthiers Forum!

Some of you will remember the Luthier Blog, which I ran for about a year. Well during that time I also put together an ebook - its the first in a two parter about making the transition from amateur to professional making and repairing. Much of what is in the ebook is based on real life experiences and observations. I actually wrote it for a coupe of friends in the trade who were really struggling despite both being very able and skilled craftsmen. Once done I realised it could actually help a lot of folk. Not just those who want to make a living, but also those who find their hobby is causing as much stress as it is joy.

So, clink the link in the banner ad at the top of the forum! A big chunk of the funds from every copy sold also goes to help support the OLF.

There are 156 pages in the ebook, and for £10 (around $13) it's pretty good value for 28 years worth of experience!

Here are the chapter headings to give you an idea of what to expect:

Somoygi’s advice
Artist or businessman?
Making a living from lutherie
What this book can help you with
What it can’t do for you
What you can do yourself
What to do first
Skills this book will help you develop
Where are things now? Finances
Where are things now? Time
Weekly timekeeping diary
Timekeeping diary results
So now what?
Reclaim your time
How to reclaim your time
Why mornings are important to your business
Breaks and errands
How to cut down on distractions: The web
How to manage web time: “The list”
How to use email sensibly
How to ruin your day: Forums
Smartphones make you stupid
How to waste your life: Social media
How to use the internet and email for your business effectively
The benefits of a web free day
How to cut down distractions: Work environment…mess
How to tidy the workshop (for those who’ve forgotten or never learned)
“But this might come in useful one day”
You only get one set of lungs
How they do it in Japan
Start again, start again, start again
How to work less hard and get more done
What to do when it all goes wrong
What to do when it really all goes wrong
Being realistic and setting achievable goals
Remember the options
“But the mess is part of who I am…”
How to cut down on distractions: People
How to deal with customers
The #1 pitfall: “Guitar talk”
How to deal with difficult situations
The ideal repairer pickup/drop off routine
More energy sinks
Who gets “mates rates”?
Sometimes it’s wise to say “no”
When it turns into a bigger job than you thought: six common scenarios
How to learn from your mistakes
Conclusion: Gradual change

Nigel

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/books/

Well done on the sponsorship Nigel!
Judging from the chapter headings, I really need this book!
I'm in.
Any idea when the second part may be out?

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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.

Well, I wanted to see how well the first part would sell and it's going well already. So I made a start. It's about marketing and selling. Without a budget! I plan to head off to India for a month soon so that'll be a good time to put it all together.

In the meantime I plan to release The Luthier Blog in ebook format in a couple of weeks. It's been up on Kindle for the last year but the sales have been poor so I took it down. I'll be selling it via the OLF and through my site in a couple of weeks if all goes to plan. I had a look through it all last night, there is a lot of good marketing stuff in there. I was nuts for giving it away for free!


nigel
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/books/

I followed the blog online, had some good stuff and insights.
Have a good time in India - I lived there (Delhi based) for a few years early 80's and loved it.
Namaste.

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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 have both the Luthier Blog book and picked up the latest book this past weekend. Enjoyable, easy reading.

I'm trying to purchase it with my iPad. But I hit "buy now" and just get a new window with the cover of the book.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Steve

You'll have to use a computer. Don't worry, you can still open the link in the confirmation email and download. The mail should have come from Payhip.

Hope that helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars

I purchased Nigel's books and it is full of great tips. A lot of the info is basic business stuff that many of us (like myself) without a business background may not think about. This is especially important for those of use who do this as more then a hobby and need it to make some money. Sometimes it takes an outsider or someone who has already learned these lessons to point out obvious things that need work. Well worth a few $.

"Thanks Nigel, I've already started putting some of your tips into action and they work!"

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Did you get this sorted Steve?

nigel

That's the thing, I've no business background either, the only background I have is guitar making, but for the first 15 years I had a very good teacher - someone who made a decent living where there was almost no market for high end stuff. But things are very different now - there is no shortage of high end stuff out there, and if your work isn't in fashion you're in very much a buyers market. So how we operate - spend our time in the shop, how we deal with folk and how we market and sell really matters.

For anyone looking for The Luthier Blog ebook - it was up on Amazon this last year but I've taken it down as I get a much better deal from Payhip. I plan to rerelease it in a week or two. And again, it'll be available through a button on the OLF and a big chunk of the proceeds will go to support the forum.

Nigel
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/books/

Got it Brad. Thanks

Steve