Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on June 19, 2015 at 12:04am

Nope

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Permalink Reply by c# merle on June 14, 2015 at 4:13am

that looks awesome. i have a lute dating from 1910-20 handmade in germany. the idea was to restore it but it's been sitting for the last five years still waiting:)

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lillo on June 13, 2015 at 1:51pm

Very nice work Michael. The scroll work on the sound hole is amazing.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 13, 2015 at 4:57am

Amateur luthier  is not quite accurate either -  in that amateurs as I understand the term, do not get paid for their efforts.

If someone is willing to give me cash money for my hand built musical stringed instrument... that seems to me to convey the added accolade of Luthier. 

At the same time, I considered myself an Artist long before I ever sold an Art piece. What I consider myself is not always what others call me.

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Permalink Reply by John Jordan on June 13, 2015 at 7:10pm

Amateur means one loves what one does, though its rarely used that way today. 

I have carved/turned pieces in 40 art museums, but typically refer to myself as a maker, or woodturner, rather than artist, though that's how I'm usually referred to. "I just make stuff"  :)

John

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on June 13, 2015 at 5:07am

nah nah ya got it all wrong guys we're just bunch of cowboys

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 13, 2015 at 7:53am

Cow luthiers...

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Permalink Reply by John Roberts on June 13, 2015 at 7:27am

John Mackay said:

"We're just a bunch of cowboys".

Kid Rock has something so say about that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glb2U6y-GdU

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 13, 2015 at 9:13am

Thanks boys, this has been interesting.

My take on it, if you've built more than one then you might in strictest terms be able to call yourself a luthier (the definition appears to demand plural, stringed instruments..) and a cigar box guitar is definitely descended from the lute. But doing so may come across as conceited and may seem to diminish the achievements of guys who are at pro standard. (Disrespectful)
Should a guy who once felled a tree call himself an arborist? If you once burned some toast are you a chef? I'm much more comfortable with 'artist' myself, and I don't spend hours of my life explaining that term to others.
The best, and no disrespect intended to those who see things differently :)

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on June 13, 2015 at 9:16am

I am an engineer.  I call myself that because I have qualifications and experience in engineering and I am chartered through an institution.

I am not a luthier, although I have made a few CBGs.  Similarly, I am not a plumber, but I have mended a few taps, or a carpenter, despite having made bookcases ....etc, etc.

I think that to call yourself a luthier, you have to make stringed instruments to a professional standard.  I have seen some work on CBN that would comfortably fit that description.

That's just a personal view and, if people want to call themselves luthiers, that's their choice.  A lot of technicians and mechanics (extremely useful skill sets) call themselves engineers but I don't lose sleep over it.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on June 13, 2015 at 12:31pm

Does it matter?Certainly some guys here have all the attributes required to be termed luthiers albeit without formal training,somewhat akin to the first that took that title,but if you want to hedge your bets,how about 'ludicrous luthiers'?

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Permalink Reply by John Roberts on June 13, 2015 at 12:48pm

Darryl:

I was going to write a detailed reply to your post, then I realized, why bother?

Titles mean little these days. Anyone can take a weekend workshop and present themselves as a professional.

So, have at it. Call yourself a luthier or the Duke of Paducah. What does it matter? 

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