Luthiers outsourcing work

[fetellier]

Having been away for the SBAIC and prep time to get ready for it I have not checked the forum for a bit. I read this thread with great interest and thought I should comment. I do all of the process in my shop except the tuning machines, fret wire, bridge pins and cases and am proud to present my work as totally my own.

I understand the need to outsource but so far avoid it except for fan fret fingerboards which I decided that creating the jigs necessary to cut accurate fret placement and usable in many different scale length combinations was too much trouble for the amount of fan frets I have and will create.

The answer to this is do whatever is needed to create a instrument that you are proud to present to the customer and they are happy to receive and play.

Fred