Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi I'm a very young music addict, (I'm only 18 and just graduated HS) My dream is to be a luthier. Only problem is I don't know where to begin, i figure i should research the art a bit, but I'm not sure where to begin. Anyone have any advice?
I'm interested in building guitars, mandolins, and other various fretted string instruments.

Welcome aboard Jake!

Many here would advise you to buy a book, peruse the forums, and make some sawdust!
For my first build I bought a serviced kit from LMI - which I advise any first builder to do, (I believe Bluescreek has these as well) just to get the first one done with the least risk of ending up with expensive firewood and deflated dreams....

nice thanks, so pretty much dive into a kit once I feel I know enough? cool thx.

Welcome Jake.

In your "knowing enough" make sure that includes how to sharpen your tools. Check out the Tutorial/Jig section. Todd Stock has three videos that you should watch. Pick up some scrap lumber, stuff without knots, and practice on it until you can plane it flat and square. Planing can be easy if your plane is sharp and set up correctly. You'll know you've got the plane right when you can take a thin curl that is the full width of the blade.

While you are reading, start gathering your tools, making your jigs, basically getting your work space set up. You don't need a ton of tools, but some really do make a task much easier. A serviced kit will require less equipment and is an excellent way to begin. Contact John Hall of Blues Creek and talk about what you want to make. Great guy to deal with.

There a couple thousand threads in the archives you should start sorting through. A ton of great information there. Remember to have fun.

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Aoibeann