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Old 10-06-2006, 01:43 PM
mishmannah mishmannah is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Being a Luthier won't bring you the riches that other jobs may..

As a beginner with commission, the amount of hours you put into a guitar will not be reflected in the price. Even as a intermediate with a fledgling business you would be commanding as little as $14.00 an hour. Compare that with gardeners who can, in my country, claim up to $22 an hour!!!

It could well be that the little "cog in the machine" guy on the steam bender in the Taylor factory earns more than a freelancer!!!

I know someone who has had to give up full time guitarmaking to provide decent money for his family. His production is down to 4 guitars a year, plus a full-time day job...phew..mind you, this is in Britain. We don't part with our cash readily, you know....

I would like to make a career of luthiery, but with a part-time job as well. I'm currently looking into arts grants, etc...

In conclusion, if you want to make stringed instruments, it HAS to be out of the love of working with wood, and the pleasure of a completed commission.
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