Advice on how to become a luthier

[Shunyata]

I ask the following with respect and interest… as I myself am considering lutherie as an Act 2.

I see many here recommending against lutherie as a profession - due to their interest in greater financial means.

Is there anyone here who has left lutherie to enter a more lucrative profession?

 

[JacksonMaberry]

4 minutes ago, Shunyata said:

I ask the following with respect and interest… as I myself am considering lutherie as an Act 2.

I see many here recommending against lutherie as a profession - due to their interest in greater financial means.

Is there anyone here who has left lutherie to enter a more lucrative profession

I'd be interested to see who chimes in. I know many who pursue lutherie and something else, and just as many of not more who stopped doing lutherie for greener pastures altogether. 

[Andrew tkinson]

Hello subcrust,

I would learn woodworking, as that, I think, will be good even if you don't become a violin maker, it will be useful, good fun and very likely a great source of enjoyment for the rest of your life, a bit like your violin playing. I agree with others that you should study at school to keep your future options open.

If you can work with a violin maker that will help you a lot and will hopefully give you an insight into the ups and downs of working in this field.

I presume you are in your mid teens, It is difficult to know what career to choose when young, I suppose it would be good if you can find a career that you enjoy, find fulfilling and pays adequately. But, (sorry Dr. Mark!) you are young, so I wouldn't worry unduly at this stage of your life, keep learning, pursue your interests and have fun!

But, (sorry again Dr.) don't listen to me, I'm only a wooden pig!

[JacksonMaberry]

1 hour ago, Andrew tkinson said:

Hello subcrust,

I would learn woodworking, as that, I think, will be good even if you don't become a violin maker, it will be useful, good fun and very likely a great source of enjoyment for the rest of your life, a bit like your violin playing. I agree with others that you should study at school to keep your future options open.

If you can work with a violin maker that will help you a lot and will hopefully give you an insight into the ups and downs of working in this field.

I presume you are in your mid teens, It is difficult to know what career to choose when young, I suppose it would be good if you can find a career that you enjoy, find fulfilling and pays adequately. But, (sorry Dr. Mark!) you are young, so I wouldn't worry unduly at this stage of your life, keep learning, pursue your interests and have fun!

But, (sorry again Dr.) don't listen to me, I'm only a wooden pig!

Good advice, well said in a friendly spirit. Cute piggie, too!

[Andrew tkinson]

12 minutes ago, JacksonMaberry said:

Good advice, well said in a friendly spirit. Cute piggie, too!

Yes Jackson, I'm glad I learned woodwork when I was a young pig. I followed this with further dilligent study in bricklaying and now, myself and my collection of ebay violins are quite safe from all envious wolves!

[GoPractice]

Subcrust,

Any thoughts?

 

[Don Noon]

4 hours ago, Shunyata said:

Is there anyone here who has left lutherie to enter a more lucrative profession?

I would suspect that most of those folks aren't following Maestronet very closely.

At one time in my mid-career, I took a leave of absence for a few months to see how I could do at lutierie full time, and considered quitting my high-paying job if it looked promising.  I found out that I had more time to spend money, and the income (I don't recall if there even was any) didn't cover it.  Back to the dayjob.

Presumably our young friend here is not paying rent, food, etc., and might not grasp on the budget of in a decade or so with mortgage, spouse, kids, house, car, insurance, etc.  It might be enlightening to ask your parents about this, and work out a budget.  This should be taught in school: money and life.

[JacksonMaberry]

15 minutes ago, Don Noon said:

would suspect that most of those folks aren't following Maestronet very closely

Exactly right. Why would they, after all, if they've moved on. A lot of people are understandably embittered if they're forced out of a trade they otherwise enjoyed and want some distance.

Then again, most of my friends in this business I most respect avoid Maestronet like the plague anyway. I'm grateful for the ones that do post here. 

[David Rosales]

I don't know about everyone else but I've found that when I feel the pressure of having to produce something because my grade, paycheck, livelihood, etc... depends on it, what once was an activity I enjoyed suddenly becomes less so; to the point it becomes a drag. All that to say that I support those who advise that anyone who is at a stage in life where they need to figure out their place in the world should consider the realities of the world we live in. 

 

As someone mentioned, some things make a fine hobby and it's never too late to start. Here's a case study: https://michaelduschenes.substack.com/ 

On the other hand, you have the rare person who is so good and so passionate at what they do that they excel against all odds: https://www.davegrohlstoryteller.com/. But even Dave Grohl will tell you in his book that he owes much of his success to luck.

I guess what Im trying to say is that you’ve gotta ask yourself one question: do you feel lucky, punk?

Just something to think about from a non-luthier. 

 

 

[Mark Norfleet]

1 hour ago, JacksonMaberry said:

Then again, most of my friends in this business I most respect avoid Maestronet like the plague anyway. I'm grateful for the ones that do post here.

Do you respect them because they avoid Maestronet?

This is a curious place and I’ve learned a lot here, but not much of it has had anything to do with violins.

And to the original question…, what Jerry Lynn contributed on the topic is excellent.  After all there’s a lot of desert in Australia.

My succinct answer is…

Don’t, unless you have to.

[JacksonMaberry]

42 minutes ago, Mark Norfleet said:

Do you respect them because they avoid Maestronet?

No, though (to avoid using "but") it doesn't hurt. Not that that affects the respect I have for you!

[Don Noon]

4 hours ago, JacksonMaberry said:

Then again, most of my friends in this business I most respect avoid Maestronet like the plague anyway.

The internet (MN included) can be a tremedous time sink, and prevent actual productivity.  I know.

[Riccardo964]

14 hours ago, Shunyata said:

Davide Sora’s YouTube videos are amazing; and this forum is an excellent resource.

Yes. These videos are gems. Really recommend it. Thanks, professor Davide, for sharing your knowledge.

Riccardo

[SCorrea]

Subcrust.

I am an old guy just starting out in Volinmaking.  I offer you these tidbits that help me a lot.

You don't know what you don't know.  This is a universal limitation to people, so keep an open ear, listen a lot, watch the answers to other peoples questions, you an gain a lot of understanding by remaining silent. Ask solid questions when you ask them and remember that other makers are gifting you their time, so use their time wisely.  Hack on wood, make chips, generate a feel for how this happens. Acquire great tools, Xacto knives are sharp enough to do the job BUT there is a feel difference in quality knives and you can trust them as your skills improve.  Don't think these little gems are simple because there are so few parts to them, the interrelationships between them are complex and at times mind bending.  Beware of analysis paralysis, you can overthink stuff to the point where you do nothing because you cant make a decision.  So my last bit is this.  Buy the Strobel Violinmaking book and follow the directions.  You will end up with a playable violin.  The build sequence in the book works and gets you quite a way down the road to understanding.  Ill leave all the economics to others, I hope this helped. 

 

[Dr. Mark]

23 hours ago, Andrew tkinson said:

Yes Jackson, I'm glad I learned woodwork when I was a young pig. I followed this with further dilligent study in bricklaying and now, myself and my collection of ebay violins are quite safe from all envious wolves!

As an aside - this use of literary reference for practical expression should be noted.

As another aside, anyone notice (and appreciate) that Mr. Burgess told us that he uses a Schmidt bridge knife to finish purfling corners?  Didn't even have to ask.  Sawzall-gouged plates but precise and refined purfling corners - maybe that's how you do it!!!!

[JacksonMaberry]

1 minute ago, Dr. Mark said:

As an aside - this use of literary reference for practical expression should be noted.

As another aside, anyone notice (and appreciate) that Mr. Burgess told us that he uses a Schmidt bridge knife to finish purfling corners?  Didn't even have to ask.  Sawzall-gouged plates but precise and refined purfling corners - maybe that's how you do it!!!!

I wish I had a Schmidt knife or three. One day!

[violins88]

Jackson,

 

Thanks. And I hope I can make knives again one day. Still waiting for my NZ visa

[David Alex T.]

On 9/22/2023 at 2:13 AM, subcrust said:

. 

I've been given an opportunity to learn how to set up violins, so I'm going to do that on the school holidays. 

Good start ! Just do it !...

[David Burgess]

On 9/22/2023 at 1:28 PM, jacobsaunders said:

I thought that the Americans were keen on "freedom"

Yup, including a high degree of freedom to choose a path which has a high probability of being unsuccessful,  like full-time professional violin making. Fortunately, most people choose other paths.

Extreme example: Some people would rather live in a homeless camp, than go through drug addiction treatment, or follow the social norms involved in more conventional housing. We more-or-less let them do that.

[jacobsaunders]

1 hour ago, David Burgess said:

 

For example, some people would rather live in a homeless camp, than go through drug addiction treatment, or follow the social norms involved in more conventional housing. We more-or-less let them do that.

That's jolly nice of you

[Blank face]

29 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

That's jolly nice of you

Nicer is a Künstlersozialkasse. That's translating to deprivation of liberty, I'm supposing?

[AJW]

I'm recently retired and in my first foray into violin making. There are great videos on Youtube that can guide you into making your first instrument. Combined with a couple of Strobel's books, you'll be on your way. 

I think that if you want to be a painter, you should paint. A writer should write, and a luthier should...luth? I mean, you might hate making violins, but you don't know until you try...