Looking for a Luthier Apprenticeship Opportunity in the Arlington, VA Area

[Rick Hall]

Not sure if this is the right place within this forum to place this, but I have had the guitar making bug for quite a while now. I actually built my first guitar earlier this year and now want to do more. The problem is that I live in a condo that does not have any room for a proper shop setup so working here at home will be a difficult task indeed.

My first guitar build was with a class at our local Woodcraft store, so all the tools were there to use. I believe that my only hope is to see if anyone in the area may have a need for someone to be their apprentice so that I get experience and some more luthier knowledge while having access to tools within their shop. Maybe they will even allow me to build my own guitars while I help them with theirs.

I am not sure of any other way for me to get access to a shop with the proper tools that I will need to use in my pursuit of being a luthier myself. I have the bug and require as much knowledge (reading a whole lot on the craft) as possible, as well as hands-on experience.

Please help!!!!!

[Michael Lewis]

As a more or less self taught instrument maker I suggest you jump in and do what you feel you need to do, find a way. You don't need a "full shop" to make guitars, you can work on a solera (work board) or on a small bench and do all the processes you have to do to make an instrument. There have been "shops" that were only a board across the stairway, and keep everything in a closet. I am not suggesting you should do that but I am saying you don't need as much facility as you might think. Where there is a will there is a way.

It helps to have a table about 4 feet long and a place to keep tools and materials, and some means of cleaning up regularly. Other than that there is only time between you and your next guitar. With a bit of thought and planning you can be set up for your work. Learning how to use and care for hand tools is all you really need, after all, there were no power tools in Stradiveri's day and lots of instruments were made then, and some are very costly even today.

The important thing is to have the concept of the processes in your head, the shapes, the fit of joints and seams, and the rest is just finding the easiest or most reliable method of making it happen. You can make a guitar with a pocket knife and a sharpening stone, though it will take a lot longer than if you have a drill, scrapers, saws, chisels, and planes. Jump in and do it. That will bring experience and build your skill.

[Rick Hall]

It helps to have a table about 4 feet long and a place to keep tools and materials, and some means of cleaning up regularly.

Michael,

Thanks for the reply and the same answer that my wife keeps telling me. I will stop making excuses to move and just make do with what I have currently. The 4 foot table is a necessity I know and only have a 3.5' (if that) balcony where I sprayed the laquer finish on my first guitar. I can ask very nicely to use part of the space in the second bedroom that is currently a gym space (my wife is a personal trainer) that we only use a few times a week since we do have a full size gym in the condo.

So yes....no more excuses and buying the kit from LMII to start ESQ Guitar #2. I have the Cumpiano book "Guitar Making..." that shows all of the hand tools and techniques needed. This way, like you stated, I will gain the experience needed probably a whole lot faster.

Rick

[Steven Smith]

I used to do a lot of work on the kitchen table with an old sheet and a piece of cardboard to protect the table top. A pain since I had to clean up and move stuff all the time but got it done. Had to negotiate special consideration to leave glue-ups on the table overnight.

[Doug Shaker]

My experience is that good light is more important than equipment. Many community centers have an adequate woodshop
which one may obtain access to by taking an appropriate "course" with the rec. department. The course is often labeled
"Independent study, woodworking" or something like that.

[Rick Hall]

Thanks Steven and Doug for your replies.

Unfortunately the dining room is an actual office space for my wife's business and there is no kitchen table

I will check into the community centers and possibly the military bases since I am retired Air Force.