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 Post subject: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:09 am 
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Walnut
Walnut
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Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:00 am
Posts: 35
Location: Calgary AB
First name: Nick
Last Name: Burman
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Hi there,
This is my first post here. Im on a few other forums but this is the first luthier-based forum I've found, so hopefully I can learn some things and share some things peculiar to Luthiers:)
Ok, first of all I'm not a luthier as such, but have am working on numbers two and three. All are my own designs and reasonably unique. So far it's all been about me, but I would definitely like to make some for others. This isn't a career move for me but hopefully I could make some money in the future.
I wondering why others make guitars. Is it just for you? Do you plan on selling or taking commissions? What's the plan?

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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 3:53 am 
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Koa
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Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:41 pm
Posts: 708
Location: Bothell, WA USA
First name: Jim
Last Name: Hansen
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Easy ...

I do guitar making like things because it's great therapy for having to grind through a 40 hour work week. I've never sold a guitar, and have never given one away. I still own every guitar I've built and most of the guitars I've ever bought. I have a lot of guitars. People ask me why I keep making more guitars. I just tell them it's because I like doing it.

Eventually I'll probably make some donations to Guitars for Vet's or something...

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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:01 am 
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Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:53 pm
Posts: 1075
Location: United States
First name: Coe
Last Name: Franklin
City: Decatur
State: IN
Country: USA
`Cuz the chicks dig it! Eat Drink

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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:10 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:40 pm
Posts: 455
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
First name: Roger
State: Oklahoma
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I work a job where I don't really get to use any of my creative side. I've been playing guitar for over 20 years and decided I'd like to make one, and it gives me a great outlet for my creativity as well as an opportunity to learn new skills. I love doing things with my hands, plus when I tell people I'm building a guitar, they're somewhat impressed. I don't get the chance to impress people very often :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:16 am 
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Koa
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Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:17 am
Posts: 1937
Location: Evanston, IL
First name: Steve
Last Name: Courtright
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Reasons:
a) I like guitars, playing them, etc.
b) I like making stuff.

Here is my other reason: a (somewhat) unique "business" plan.

Each year I try to make one
i) for me to play,
ii) for me to sell,
iii) for me to give away.

That way I get more guitars, can afford to keep making guitars, get to make somebody happy (including me) by connecting a deserving person or charity with a guitar.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:56 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:17 am
Posts: 381
First name: Michael
State: AR
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I've been learning to play them since I was 7...56 now and
thought I'd give it a shot.
Two years of great enjoyment so far.
No plans for it to be a business...especially with my
current skills.


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:32 am 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:47 am
Posts: 175
First name: Jamie
Last Name: Unden
City: Lakeside
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 92040
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I started playing in Jr. High, 1970. I haven't been too faithful to the guitar in that I go months without playing, then play every day for a few months. I never got really good, but I love it. I went through a period at work where there wasn't anything to do for almost two years. Luckily, they had to keep me on because I had certain knowledge that they couldn't lose. I'm no genius, just in the right place at the right time to gain the knowledge. Anyway, I got really interested in studying guitar construction to pass the time. I eventually started a guitar design business (www.guitarplansunlimited.com). The next logical step was to actually build some of my designs. Being overcome by life's events has limited my build time, but I will get back to it within the year. I'm still designing guitars, though.


http://www.guitarplansunlimited.com


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:58 am 
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Koa
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Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:37 pm
Posts: 1740
Location: Virginia, USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I've played guitar for at least 25 years. I absolutely love them. I can spend a lot of time just holding them and running my hands over them. They are beautiful, and they beckon to me. I can't help it.
I have looked at them, handled them, played them, and have wanted to build them for a long time. I learned everything I could about them, and started building. I'm still learning, and building, and it's not possible at this point for me to stop building. It's in my blood.

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The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:04 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:08 pm
Posts: 1958
Location: Missouri
First name: Patrick
Last Name: Hanna
State: Missouri
Country: USA
For me it's the process as much as the finished instrument. I'm my own worst critic, but I get a little better in fits and spurts. My friends think my instruments are cool, and they want them whenever I'm ready to give one up. There's that sort of gratification, too. But it's not an ego thing. It's the process, from drawing it out to stringing it up. Then it's like "I've got to do this again."


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:07 pm 
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Mahogany
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Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:50 am
Posts: 53
Location: Oregon/Hawaii
First name: Hal
I'm new to this also. That being said I can already tell that building guitars is like wood crack... I've always built things creative, mostly street rods and high-end car stuff, but I've also built houses and some furniture quite a while ago, and can repair anything mechanical. I've always repaired and modified my own guitars. I've also been a professional player for a long time. The natural progression is to build a guitar and already I am hooked big-time. In my case I also like that I should be able to build a really cool guitar in a couple of months (at my present rate) instead of being married to a car project for a couple of years. On a comparative basis it's instant gratification and keeps me enthused.


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:37 pm 
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Koa
Koa
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Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:21 am
Posts: 783
First name: Virgil
Last Name: Mandanici
State: FL
Focus: Build
Welcome to the forums! I have been playing guitar for 35+ years, teach guitar for a living and last year I realized that woodworking was my best "therapy" too; it calms this savage beast per say, so what better thing to do than build guitars - I just started last year and am currently working on #2, 3 & 4. I'm hooked.

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See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
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 Post subject: Why why why?
PostPosted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 12:59 am 
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Walnut
Walnut
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Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:00 am
Posts: 35
Location: Calgary AB
First name: Nick
Last Name: Burman
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
It's therapy for me too. I'm staring at a computer screen all day and have to get away. Plus running my own business can be quite stressful so I need something else to fill my head! I've only built one and am working on #2 and #3.
steve , that's a great plan. I like it! And Sandy, having seen your tele, you could easily sell some. That is one stunning guitar!

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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:13 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:07 pm
Posts: 512
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Most certainly a career goal for me


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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:41 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:54 pm
Posts: 235
First name: Jim
Last Name: Outman
City: LaGrange
State: GA
Zip/Postal Code: 30240
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I enjoy creating things out of thin air. Want to work at it and get good enough that I can make this a retirement project. Want to make basses and guitars that play well out of the box.


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 Post subject: Why why why?
PostPosted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:28 am 
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Walnut
Walnut
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Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:00 am
Posts: 35
Location: Calgary AB
First name: Nick
Last Name: Burman
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
That's interesting Jim, same here. Although my retirement is twenty years away! Perhaps I'll be good at it by then.

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 Post subject: Re: Why why why?
PostPosted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 8:55 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:17 am
Posts: 381
First name: Michael
State: AR
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Nicholaspaul wrote:
It's therapy for me too. I'm staring at a computer screen all day and have to get away. Plus running my own business can be quite stressful so I need something else to fill my head! I've only built one and am working on #2 and #3.
steve , that's a great plan. I like it! And Sandy, having seen your tele, you could easily sell some. That is one stunning guitar!



Not only to say thank you very much Nick but to also mention; I'm in front of a computer doing my job for a large company and I've learned that trying my hand at building has been a benefit fit to me any many ways.
The issue that I imagine would not be good is if I sold any instruments - it could possibly bring problems into the trip.

I can understand completely a customer not being satisfied -the deal is I don't want to be dealing with their issues. I don't
want to take the chance or "open the door" for anything or anybody that could add negativity to something that has been
so positive...so far. However, nothing remains the same but currently that's my thoughts and I realize that I'm ignorant to many aspects of building and selling instruments.


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 Post subject: Why why why?
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:42 am 
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Walnut
Walnut
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Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:00 am
Posts: 35
Location: Calgary AB
First name: Nick
Last Name: Burman
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
You're welcome, Sandy. I see your point, and I think thats why I enjoy guitar building so much - no clients! In my business (I'm a graphic designer) I'm constantly trying to focus and move away from potential problem clients. Pricing myself out of cheap markets helps as I've found many nitpickers are cheapskates and want everything for nothing. Perhaps that would work with guitar building too. In business there's always a magic price point that puts your product in the realm of clients who know what you do and appreciate that they are paying for quality and understand that you are the potential. So if there's a way to make sure people appreciate what you do then it could still be a positive experience. I'm considering putting one or two in the hands of some pro friends and seeing what happens.

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