Let' talk the future of Jake The Loafer...(Luthier Work)

[Jake The Loafer]

:shock: Hi folks, not spending any time here anymore like I used to but I wanted to throw something out as short as I can :roll: . We haven't had a Jake letter since I had to take myself of my Oxycontin w/o checking in, but still am fortunate to have a new doc prescribe me some pain meds to keep me going. :lol:

I had to close my sign business 18 months ago (after 20 yrs.) due to the economy & whatever else went wrong. At least w/ the store, if the $$ came in, I had a pay check, & many things paid for by the incorp. I wasn't getting enough to cover overhead the last 6 months of '08. Now I'm trying to hang on w/ over $3K of expenses per month & no pocket money like I had. I 'm 63, can draw about $1k SS if I apply but had one doc tell me I had so many weight bearing joint problems I should go for disability which would be around $1500 monthy. I couldn't live either way & want a job paying me decent $$ & health insurance. I have 'till 65 to have to get on Medicare anyhow. My BC is soon to be $435.

After 18 months, 1 RN refresher course 12 months ago..still no job! Things are not looking my way. The ones of ya'll that know some of my history. My back had 4 surgeries, neck & other stuff is really messed up & I recently did some yard stuff & think I have herniated out some more goo on my right leg according to MRI 2 months back. So, when I do get up I feel like crap. I don't know if I could last a 12 shift even though I apply. The Home / Hospice would be ideal but no luck.

I have the hankering to learn how to build & repair acoustic guitars. Have no wood working expierience. As far as building, I don't care about alot of fancy inlay but just to be able to make several models of guitars that sound really good & look nice. At my age this seems crazy to try & get a name since all I see in the back of AG are many well know luthiers. I know I can start w/ a Stew Mac kit but I would still have to outlay a fair amount of money for the tools required to make it. Even though it comes w/ a DVD, I would feel better w/ a small 2 week class such as Haight Guitars in Scottsdale. A 1 week course w/ the material premade to a point is around $4K. This includes your own room to live in while you are there. They also have 2 weeks which I assume show you how to bend sides, cut & slot a fretboard + more & add on another $1k or so.

I'm nursing a chronic right thumb that makes it hard to use at time & I don't know how I would fair working w/ wood & the tools. :?

I really want to build my own acoustic & think I can. So, who here has some recomendations, etc. At 63 what can I do? Work out of my house repairing & building? Is there a possiblity of making a name for myself in a few short years & selling 6-8 per year? Don't know I many more years I have. Rather work for myself anyhow.

I know there are 7-8 week + probably longer such as at Roberto-Venn & others. so what would be my least expensive way to do it? I don't have much money & the 1 or 2 weeker could be all I should take out of my IRA. I need what's in there to live on & it is not going to last a year if that. Or should I spend $400+ for a kit DVD & maybe a thousand + worth of tools & have a go at it myself? I could not have learned to dance as well if I had not paid all the $$$ for private lessons for 2 years & really would like a mentor in person.

Talk to me. Please.

 

[southernGuild]

Hey Jake,
I can't really add much there except perhaps to say that you ARE indeed taking stock in all things around your life and surrounding situations and you're coming up with some good questions and ideas to explore. KEEP at that...you'll get some answers and options, follow them and you get MORE answers and options. It's all a step at a time........and its hard to see too far into any future really. :roll:
any option involves some 'risk'...but doing nothing....is RISK in itself.
For me,.....Good honest self-assessments, getting good info from all around the situation, and being proactive about bringing positive change into your life ( ie, YOU make it happen) WILL bring some good choices to you, and hopefully, when acted upon, will bring positive change into your world.
there is ALOT you can still do ( as you know best) given the physical and medical limitations you describe. Looking hard for longterm options is the first step.so yea, you're on the way.sometimes the most unexpected posibilities appear.and THOSE can be what actually works. Keep an eye out for THEM!!
I too suffer constant pain due to injury......and have limitations that have severly changed my world, and whilst you take Oxycontin, I take M.S contin. ( nearly the same wretched thing, I HATE the side effects) . Some of your questions, I am asking myself...looking for workable options. trying to THINK outside the square......and create something NEW.
Still, its not easy. but we HAVE TO TRY!!
I dont know much about the luthier option ( SO many variables) ..are there any in your area?....is there demand? Would it bring in enough to cover expences? would you be open to "repair" only if need be?..or is fully building the best option? ....and IF so, what kind of sales can honestly be expected? all hard to know.....
maybe get out there and Talk to folks already in that field in your area, TALK to other luthiers.....even outside your area. THEY would know the highs and lows involved, and some may share alot of helpful info ( to save you from repeating the same pitfalls) Talk to local, and extended area music stores ( what "service' would they wish that was out there? could YOU meet that need?) ,speak with musicians...open mikes ( folks who want their guitars serviced or set up. or perhaps custom built...) Is there enough DEMAND to match what you can, or want to do? What guitar centered, or music centered NEED needs someone to fill it?

My brother in law, at almost 60 years old, started a now successful woodwind repair service.......he's a very talented Sax and claranet player.....In his musical life, He saw the NEED for a honest local repairer of these instruments.....so he learned all he could, tooled up, and went for it! Now ( after a slow steady start) he is doing very well with it, and now, it supplements his music gig income.......AND , most importantly....HE ENJOYS WHAT HE DOES!!
Man.something like this CAN hapen....we all just need to find our own.
Asking questions.and being open to exploring options....is certainly the first step.
Stay with it.
I wish you all the luck! :wink:
let us know where it takes you.
Could be....................."Jake the LUTHIER"!!!

 

[adorshki]

That's so tough. For the personal mentor I'm thinking find a local guy who'd teach you stuff in return for free labor, or some mutually acceptable compromise? Problem might be that he may be training his own competition. It might pay to find out if there's a shortage of this skill in your area if you need to make at least a partial living at it. On the other hand, if you're gonna work for starvation wages, you might as well at least enjoy what you do!

 

[taabru45]

Why not start with making a dulcimer, you can use the wood from a door skin and a solid top, and its not all that hard...without a big commitment, being, a folk instrument you could probably get at least you're money back at the local flea market etc....I might even do that myself... :wink: . do as much as you can with as little as you got....you and me should write a song around that one.... :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[southernGuild]

Why not start with making a dulcimer, you can use the wood from a door skin and a solid top, and its not all that hard...without a big commitment, being, a folk instrument you could probably get at least you're money back at the local flea market etc....I might even do that myself... :wink: . do as much as you can with as little as you got....you and me should write a song around that one.... :lol: :lol: Steffan

THATS the kind of 'outside the square" stuff Im talking about! There's a man down here........he makes HARPS..BIG HARPS! in his garage! ..and not only sells them, but plays them at hospitals ( aged and oncology and newborne wards.) He makes a modest income doing both!
These harps seem ALOT less fussy to build than Guitars too! .and SOUND MAJESTIC!

 

[fronobulax]

Is there anyone local? Might be someone who would take you on as an apprentice and then feed you work because they know what you can do. Point about training the competition noted but I doubt that it is a real concern. A local luthier here sometimes teaches an 8 week course. You spend $800 and end up with a guitar that you built yourself under the luthier's supervision. Starting out with a dulcimer is an excellent idea. It seems like a low cost way to exercise the skills you need and make sure you are physically up to the task.

One of the dirty little secrets in my area is that all the places that will train you in nursing keep telling you the job market is hot but when you actually go out and look for a nursing job they are not paying enough to live on.

 

[JerryR]

! There's a man down here........he makes HARPS..BIG HARPS! in his garage! ..and not only sells them, but plays them at hospitals ( aged and oncology and newborne wards.) He makes a modest income doing both!
These harps seem ALOT less fussy to build than Guitars too! .and SOUND MAJESTIC!

Aged and oncology - the audience might think he's preparing them for the afterlife :shock:

 

[Guild Dawg]

There's a school in the Atlanta area where you can learn luthier skills while living on the property. Here's a video and other info about it posted on Gearwire:

http://www.gearwire.com/atlanta-guitar- ... ogram.html

I haven't heard from anyone personally who's taken courses there, but here's a New York State guy who set up his own shop after studying with them:

http://www.jsoguitarworks.com/About.html

I don't know whether you can turn being a luthier into a livelihood, but there's a lot to be said for 'following your bliss.'

 

[Jake The Loafer]

Thanks for the many different replies. Yeras ago I wanted a duclimer. If I'm going to make anything I want it to be a guitar. Yes there are a few people who do repair etc. I know one who mainly does electric stuff & I think his buddy fixes acoustics. I just need to get off my lazy laofing butt & go visit these people. One guy specializes in concertinas & also does violin & stuff. He shares his space w/ a dude I need to go & talk with. Don't know if he builds but he repairs acoustics. Since I can't find suitable RN work & have time I guess I would be willing to be a shop boy & try & learn what I could. Thanks for the different links. Atlanta is 2 hours away but I have a house & a dog & it would be hard right now to try & get away for a period other than maybe 2 weeks but I'll explore my options. We have a place name of Fretted Instruments. Haven't been in there in years. They repair & sell some of the boutique guitars & Martins. Need to check them out.

Now the question. If I made a few very good sounding guitars a year I would probably want to keep them :? but if they were good & not out of reach money wise, think some of the LTG folks would buy a "Loafer" acoustic? :wink: :lol: :lol: 8) Hell, a good D-55 is around $2K.

Has anyone on the forum built an acoustic from scratch or a good kit? Should I ask this in another area. Didn't hideglue work for Guild?

 

[adorshki]

HI Jake: There is a member who has shown some of his hand-builts, Cwood8656. Telenator ahs retopped a Guild D15.
Both Hideglue and Workedinwesterly are former employees. Get thee up off thy behind and go forth seeking apprenticeship! :lol:

 

[Jake The Loafer]

HI Jake: There is a member who has shown some of his hand-builts, Cwood8656. Telenator ahs retopped a Guild D15.
Both Hideglue and Workedinwesterly are former employees. Get thee up off thy behind and go forth seeking apprenticeship! :lol:

I'll see if they can give me some advice. Just worried about my financial problems as I have to live & there are not many ways to cut back. Getting too damn old for this crap. :x I wish I still had my business w/ a steady paycheck & benifits paid.

 

[Steelpickin']

This is a great site with lots of info and helpful folk!!

http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/inde ... b8f0f0fcda

 

[taabru45]

Hi Jake, check out the bigfoot guitar, etc...maybe you could doctor up a couple of Mexican strats, and sell them or customize them for players desires....with you're sign experience you might be a natural. Steffan
http://www.thedailyguitar.com/top-17-mo ... -mods-ever