NMG Posted July 13 Report Share Posted July 13 Hi ! I just finished my formation and tryna find my path in the world of violin making. I already asked ChatGPT but they weren't able to help me much, maybe you have some tipps. PS : I'm kidding but maybe you still have a few tipps, it's always nice to listen to experienced people (even if in the end you'll probably do the opposite of what they said ) Wish you all a nice summer, Noé Merlin Gremaud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddleDoug Posted July 13 Report Share Posted July 13 Perhaps work for a good shop until you develop a reputation. I’m not what you would call a “successful violin maker”.(started very late in life). I have heard people say to marry a rich woman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Richwine Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 First, become a very good violin maker by working with makers who are better than you and studying hard. Then achieve recognition by players whose opinions are respected. Then find ways to get people to say good things about your instruments, your skills and your integrity, by exhibiting all of them in abundance with consistency. That might get you started, but marketing and communication skills are hugely important, as well as time management skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane88 Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 Marry well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacksonMaberry Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 As long as you don't define "success" in strictly monetary terms, you can find success as a violinmaker through hard work, honesty, and humility. It can be a very fulfilling career, but only very rarely a lucrative one. For that, go into dealing and leave the lutherie to the masochists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 1 hour ago, JacksonMaberry said: As long as you don't define "success" in strictly monetary terms, you can find success as a violinmaker through hard work, honesty, and humility. It can be a very fulfilling career, but only very rarely a lucrative one. For that, go into dealing and leave the lutherie to the masochists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccardo964 Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 Hello noble gentleman, It's refreshing to read that experts have surpassed ChatGPT. On your question, obviously I don't have an answer, and this is just a hobby for me, but I remind this quote: Quote How do you make a million dollars with woodworking? You start with two million. Well, other answers are on point, "Marry well", "Have a rich wife", and so on. The market is indeed furious. Best of wishes, Riccardo964 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin swan Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 9 hours ago, NMG said: PS : I'm kidding but maybe you still have a few tipps, it's always nice to listen to experienced people (even if in the end you'll probably do the opposite of what they said ) What a strange way to ask for career advice Violin making is an extremely conservative craft which supports an extremely conservative performance tradition. If you are the kind of person who ignores the experience of others then I would do something else with your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 There are already plenty of struggling makers out there who are pretty good at their craft. Are you sure you want to even attempt to join them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Preuss Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 Success is in our human society measured on how prominent others think about you. This accounts not only for violin makers. But you can make your own definition and as long as you are happy with it you are successful. My personal view on violin making is not as conservative as it has been in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 5 hours ago, martin swan said: Violin making is an extremely conservative craft which supports an extremely conservative performance tradition. Then there's Mr. Kasprzyk... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCF Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 31 minutes ago, Dr. Mark said: Then there's Mr. Kasprzyk... And many others. I wonder if, the further away one lives from the cultures which nurtured and conserved the craft tradition for the last 400 years or so, the more likely one is to diverge from it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccardo964 Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 43 minutes ago, Dr. Mark said: Mr. Kasprzyk... Looks a bit heavy on the side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 29 minutes ago, Riccardo964 said: Looks a bit heavy on the side. If you had read any of his posts, you would know he is making lightweight instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Jacoby Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 Get work helping someone you admire make their instruments, or get a loan and go to a good school, or start cleaning rentals in a shop where folks make good instruments. I'm tired of the cracks about rich wives. Anyone, in any discipline, would be well served by having their bills taken care of. If you are stubborn and reasonably smart, make a go of it. The learning curve is long. Enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccardo964 Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 29 minutes ago, Wood Butcher said: If you had read any of his posts, you would know he is making lightweight instruments. Well, there are plenty of opportunities for accomplishing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeH Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 1 hour ago, Christopher Jacoby said: I'm tired of the cracks about rich wives. Thank you. Me, too. Not all violin makers are cisgendered straight men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMG Posted July 14 Author Report Share Posted July 14 Thank you all for triying to help me, and sorry if I offended some of you with my jokes (of course Mr. Swan I highly respect people with experience but it's always important to try the things you shouldn't do by yourself to figure out if it really is that bad). Anyway, to really present myself in a few words, I graduated two weeks ago from the Swiss School of Violin Making (and I love Bergonzi). I'm really into Antiquing but also appreciate a nice full varnished instrument, it's also for me the only good starting point for a good antiqued one. I love experiencing with varnish and wood browning(staining). Also I love to control the whole process of making and trying to extrapolate this idea, I already processed several m3 of Tonewood, from spruce to maple to boxwood etc. Also trying to work with alternatives to ebony. I made only 4 violins, a viola and a cello but I try to favor quality rather than quantity. I love a nice cut bridge and good sounding new instruments. Wish you all a nice Sunday ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane88 Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 19 minutes ago, GeorgeH said: Thank you. Me, too. Not all violin makers are cisgendered straight men. I said Marry Well. No gender implied. Bottom line is that basic needs must be met. Rent, Insurance, food, ect. Either someone has to help you or, as I did, Work a full time job in your previous profession until things pencil out. I can tell you from personal experience, that is tiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davide Sora Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 41 minutes ago, NMG said: Thank you all for triying to help me, and sorry if I offended some of you with my jokes (of course Mr. Swan I highly respect people with experience but it's always important to try the things you shouldn't do by yourself to figure out if it really is that bad). Anyway, to really present myself in a few words, I graduated two weeks ago from the Swiss School of Violin Making (and I love Bergonzi). I'm really into Antiquing but also appreciate a nice full varnished instrument, it's also for me the only good starting point for a good antiqued one. I love experiencing with varnish and wood browning(staining). Also I love to control the whole process of making and trying to extrapolate this idea, I already processed several m3 of Tonewood, from spruce to maple to boxwood etc. Also trying to work with alternatives to ebony. I made only 4 violins, a viola and a cello but I try to favor quality rather than quantity. I love a nice cut bridge and good sounding new instruments. Wish you all a nice Sunday ! Sounds like you're on the right track to become a successful maker, good luck. Just don't neglect to make yourself known, the means to do so today are many, if no one knows who you are and what you do (and how you do it) it won't be easy to make a living. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANFIO Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 If you have made 6 instruments, you may still have basic things to work on such as corners, scroll, archings, purfling, model, and set up, that is, the basic things. As Christopher pointed out, the learning curve is long, and I would work on the basic things for the first years. This is a tough market, and Davide Sora is correct, you have not only to make excellent instruments but also have to sell them, and these are two different kinds of work. Focus on a model and develop it, if you keep changing models you can get lost. Whenever you find a good maker or top player ask him "what can I do better?". Keep asking till he say something, and keep your ears open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H R Fisher Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 It depends on what one considers successful. I made my first violin [VSO] in the late 50s ,I considered that a success.I made my first real one in2005, I considered that a success.Since than I have made many and always have a a sense of accomplishment or success when I string it up and play it. Even tho from a monetary standpoint its a losing proposition. I find a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction in the process. Success for me is enjoying the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baroquecello Posted July 15 Report Share Posted July 15 If you want to open a workshop and earn your living party through repairs and setup work, do your market research and open your shop somewhere where recent demand has increased, or where there are few other makers. Costumers, especially the better players, are loyal to their lutiers if they do good work, and no matter how good you are, it is not going to work if you open up a shop in a place with lots of competitors already established. I've seen that happen a couple of times, and it is not good for anyone. Internet presence is important nowadays, and a nice video can make a difference. I think much is dependent on your marketing skills and finding the right tone in that for your potential clients. Too much or too flashy and you will be viewed skeptical, too little and then you won't be known. I'm a musician by the way, not a maker, and to us marketing is increasingly important also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arglebargle Posted July 15 Report Share Posted July 15 19 hours ago, GeorgeH said: Thank you. Me, too. Not all violin makers are cisgendered straight men. What does cisgendered mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeH Posted July 15 Report Share Posted July 15 5 minutes ago, arglebargle said: What does cisgendered mean? Look it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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