That is my question for discussion. I would like to call myself a luthier, but I hesitate. I have built 21 instruments. They all work. I usually say I am an amateur luthier.
I have built 3 string guitars, 4 string guitars and 11 ukes. Do my own fretting, have built 5 boxes, albeit rectangular
Like most of us, I am self-taught, with a lot of help from you guys in the Nation. I've made lots of jigs to compensate for lack of power tools.
I have been at this for 1 1/2 years and have sold about 8 instruments. I am semiretired.
Tags:
Eric:
A seamstress is not a Tailor. A CBG maker is not a Luthier. Using the word Tailor or Luthier implies a higher level of expertise.
Looters?
Luthier is a fine word with a rich tradition. From the French word luth, meaning lute. Lutes are marvelous instruments, and if you have ever played one you will know what I mean.
So, please feel to call yourself anything you wish. However, if you want the public to know what you do, I would say "Maker of Fine Instruments."
Or, to split hairs, "Fine Maker of Instruments." I'm okay; they're so-so.
Ah, this question. It is similar to the world of traditional wooden archery. Can a bow maker call himself a bowyer, and at what point does that title apply to a bow maker? After a certain number of weapons? After a certain level of artisty or performance of the bow? Only for certain styles of bows but not others? If he makes money and is considered a professional bowyer rather than one who makes them just for fun?
I would say yes, someone who builds any type of stringed instrument is a luthier, just as any musician who plays any instrument at all or sings is a musician.
Unless you are the school of thought that a diddley bow maker or player can only call himself a monochord zither builder or player. A chordophone is what any guitar is. Cigar box guitars are as real a guitar as any other type of guitar.
Dane, under your definition, if someone makes a Diddley Bow (a stringed instrument), then they are a Luthier.
I don't think it works that way.
Thankfully, Robert, you are not on the committee to decide what to call anyone. :)
A luther builds stringed instruments. That is the base definition. One string, two stings, 12 strings, they are all stringed instruments. Suppose a one string was built to standards that Torres would approve of, with a v joint headstock, a Spanish foot, mother of pearl position markers, bracing that maximizes tone and volume, the finest book matched woods, and so on? And his level of craftsmanship rivaled the best luthiers working today?
Much like the term bowyer, it is jealously guarded by some who feel they are at a very high level, but anyone who builds a archery bow is a bowyer.
And in the end, opinions are just that. :)
Dane:
The gentleman asked for an opinion about calling himself a luthier, and I gave it. Is this somehow not permissible in your world?
There is a call coming in to the shop of Dane Donato Luthier.......
DDL: Hello this is Dane Donato Luthier.
Caller: Do you build classical guitars?
DDL: No I do not.
Caller: Do you build steel string guitars?
DDL: Uh, no.
Caller: Do you build violins, or violas?
DDL: Sorry, no.
Caller: Then what do you build, if you say you are a Luthier?
DDL: I build cigar box guitars.
Caller: What is a cigar box guitar?
Hey Robert, I don't want to continue a petty Internet fight. I think it is safe to say anyone building any of these instruments is an artist. A quick glance around this forum shows a wealth of talent and creativity.
The term luthier to you seems very proprietary, and that is fine, since you went to school to learn the craft. Maybe your sense of who you are as an artist is tied in to the word, or your sense of being formally trained in making guitars.
Consider this: Is a musician who can not read music or studied formally with a professional(s), or attended a degree program a musician? Or is he or she something else?
Dane Donato said:
"Hey Robert, I don't want to continue an internet fight."
First of all, my name is not Robert. Second, I am not fighting, I am discussing, sorry you don't know the difference.
Of course there is a lot of talent on this forum, and they can call themselves luthiers if they so desire. However, calling oneself a Luthier is not the same as being one. A seamstress is not a tailor, even though many seamstresses call themselves that. Once you begin to question their skills and training, the story falls apart.
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts 9 hours ago. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Bill Andy 10 hours ago. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by BrianQ. in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts on Tuesday. 0 Replies 2 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!