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Location: Fort Worth, TX | I took the luthier built guitar I acquired this past week over to a luthier to examine for me this weekend (he pronounced it healthy as did its original builder recently). While there, I inquired as to whether he had ever trained anyone in his field, and he said a number of people have come and gone over the years. I never saw a shop so FULL of violins and cellos, interspersed with a number of guitars. I told him of my transferable skills as a sign painter for 40 years and hand pinstriper in a major motorcycle factory for 5 years. He didn't seem to get it. I told him my life has been devoted to eye/hand coordination type work. That seemed to resonate. I told him I retired last year at the age of 58 and since my income is adequately in place I would love to work for him for free. I told him too I had run my own business all my life and knew how to handle customers and could eventually run his shop when he needed to be away. He became much more friendly at this point and said he'd consider it and get back with me the first of this week.
I'm really anxious to hear from him. It would be the second time in my life I learned something the old school way of working for free for a master. I started at age 19 sweeping the floor of a one armed sign painter and lifting boards onto his easel for him and eventually getting to learn brush control from him. It launched me on a highly successful, financially rewarding career. I'm not looking for that outcome again obviously as I can only make a maximum of $600 a month without loosing my benefits and I'll be lucky to have ten years left as it is with my surgical history. But still, I'd love to someday be able to build a guitar to leave to each of my sons who have learned to play. Man, I am waiting for that call! |
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| I'm really jealous, Dave. Retired at 58, huh?? Well, that sure as heck isn't in the cards for me, but if it were I'd grab a broom and show up at the door of the New Hartford facility every day until they'd let me sweep the floors there.
That's a great story, Dave, and helping for free seems like a great way to get your foot in the door. Best of luck on a new budding career. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | Chazmo - 2012-10-29 7:44 AM
I'm really jealous, Dave. Retired at 58, huh?? Well, that sure as heck isn't in the cards for me, but if it were I'd grab a broom and show up at the door of the New Hartford facility every day until they'd let me sweep the floors there.
That's a great story, Dave, and helping for free seems like a great way to get your foot in the door. Best of luck on a new budding career.
Wow! This was a very short lived opportunity. I just heard from him and he said he too has decided to retire after 30 years. He said he's just letting everything wind down and not taking on more work.
To clarify: my retirement is actually medically necessitated. I was granted a full disability last year after 18 major surgeries in a 20 year period... you can do the math on how frequently they occurred. My wife and I had enough money anyway even without the SS income. Don't envy me, being put out to pasture at age 58 is the most boring thing imaginable. I spend my time pursuing a lifelong goal of learning fingerstyle playing and the only saving grace is I am progressing exponentially. Still though, my fitness level is atrocious with nothing to do all day. I wouldn't wish this on anybody. As for the second career... easy come easy go! |
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| Fair enough, Dave.
My 2 cents is don't give up on the idea. Isn't Collings somewhere near you?!  |
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Location: Flahdaw | Luthier thinks to himself: "Damn, this DaveKell guy wants to come work with me! Do I kill myself, kill him, or retire? Hmmm....maybe best to retire and move VERY far away from here." |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Hmmmm, there used to be FUNNY comedians hanging around this site....
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Location: Flahdaw | Man, THOSE were the days.... |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | fillhixx - 2012-10-29 3:46 PM
Hmmmm, there used to be FUNNY comedians hanging around this site....
Maybe someone should do a "search". 
Edited by Patch 2012-10-29 4:32 PM
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Location: sitting at my computer | patchmcg - 2012-10-29 5:31 PM fillhixx - 2012-10-29 3:46 PM
Hmmmm, there used to be FUNNY comedians hanging around this site....
Maybe someone should do a "search". heeheehee 
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | It occurred to me this morning, it almost worked once getting to learn from an established luthier. Why not give it a shot with another one? Only problem is next one is way across town. If I'm gonna work for free I don't want a long drive and the gas expense with my Ford truck. Probably will head over there this morning. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Offer to work with him for a week. If he realizes that you are benefit, he should be willing to provide some gas money.
On the other hand, you ARE using him. The guy who built my Everett guitar holds guitar building workshops and charges ALOT of money for them. So, figure you are going to technical school...it ain't free.
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | DaveKell - 2012-10-30 4:35 AM
It occurred to me this morning, it almost worked once getting to learn from an established luthier. Why not give it a shot with another one? Only problem is next one is way across town. If I'm gonna work for free I don't want a long drive and the gas expense with my Ford truck. Probably will head over there this morning.
Or, you could just start buying cheap project guitars off eBay, then fixing them up.
A) You'll learn how to do it.
B) You'll occupy your time learning how to do it.
C) You'll have fun.
Dan |
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | For example, here's a great starter project.
It's a 12-string Ovation with OHSC for $165 BIN. The seller says the action is a little high and the belly is bowing.
The model number in the label is hard to read, but it looks to me like a Pinnacle 385T
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PROJECT-OVATION-ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC-12-STRING...
Edited by DanSavage 2012-10-30 12:46 PM
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | One final note. A really good source for the do-it-yourself luthier is: Frets.com. |
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2nd Career as a Luthier!
