What's a "Luthier"?

[PhilHill]

I have my own opinions on this, but I would be interested to see what others think. What do you think a Luthier should be?

 

[bagman67]

My own views, and worth what you paid for 'em:


A luthier builds instruments from raw materials.  The guy at Guitar Center, or even your local mom'n'pop, who swaps parts, does setups:  That's a tech.  Advanced techs - folks who do refrets, remove and re-set acoustic necks - they're tiptoeing up on lutherie.

 

[PhilHill]

My own views, and worth what you paid for 'em:

A modest person. Unique and valuable nowaday's. :icon_thumright:

 

[bagman67]

My own views, and worth what you paid for 'em:

A modest person. Unique and valuable nowaday's. :icon_thumright:

You are very kind.  There's so much certitude in the world today about things that are so uncertain.  Leads to pain, conflict, woe.  I'd just as soon admit I could be wrong in the first place.

 

[PhilHill]

There's an old saying about that. Hopefully no one is offended but it goes, "Too many Chiefs and not enough Braves."

 

[Cagey]

A luthier builds instruments from raw materials.  The guy at Guitar Center, or even your local mom'n'pop, who swaps parts, does setups:  That's a tech.  Advanced techs - folks who do refrets, remove and re-set acoustic necks - they're tiptoeing up on lutherie.

I agree. I've always thought a Luthier was someone who, given tools and a bit of hardware, could turn trees into guitars [stringed instruments].

 

[PhilHill]

I've always thought a Luthier was someone who, given tools and a bit of hardware, could turn trees into guitars [stringed instruments].

The root of it right there. I was taught a Luthier builds and maintains stringed instruments. Everything from a violin to a cello to a guitar to a harp. And knows every process involved from selecting the proper wood to selecting the proper finish. But such a level of knowledge takes decades to acquire. It doesn't fit the modern ways.
You tube contains many videos made by "Master Luthiers" who don't know the difference between perfling and binding. I have a couple pair of Levis that have been around longer than these people have been building. Exactly who bestowed the title of Master on them I'm not sure. Probably self inflicted. But, then I'm old and known to be grouchy now and then... :icon_thumright:

 

[Cactus Jack]

I might not know what a luthier is, but I sure as heck know what a luthier isn't...ME.

Even starting "build" threads makes me uncomfortable. I don't build, I assemble, and even then I rely on you all to tell me what to do 90% of the time. A luthier is a trained and experienced craftsman and artist. I expect they would participate in an apprenticeship program similar to other professional trades...even martial arts. It's a title you earn through demonstrated expertise, not something bestowed upon you for passing an exam or graduating from a particular school, etc. 

 

[stratamania]

I would say I probably concur with some of the earlier definitions. A person who builds stringed instruments such as violins or guitars. The word itself is derived from French "luth" (lute).

So that implies of course craftsmanship.

In the more modern electric guitar building or assembling field there are a subset of luthier skills used and probably modern adaptations of older methods. But that is where the debate starts and the term luthier gets more loosely applied.

 

[PhilHill]

In the more modern electric guitar building or assembling field there are a subset of luthier skills used and probably modern adaptations of older methods. But that is where the debate starts and the term luthier gets more loosely applied.

I concur.

 

[guitarstv]

A luthier is someone who builds and works on lutes. 

 

[PhilHill]

A luthier is someone who builds and works on lutes. 

Agreed. And that's where the title came from. Unfortunately they have been forced to branch out over the years, as the market for Lutes is not nearly as Lutecrative as it used to be. :doh:

 

[Rick]

Builds lute family instruments. 

 

[guitarstv]

A luthier is someone who builds and works on lutes. 

Agreed. And that's where the title came from. Unfortunately they have been forced to branch out over the years, as the market for Lutes is not nearly as Lutecrative as it used to be. :doh:

Yeah, but we should really use another word for gutiars.  Otherwise we might as well call a mechanic a farrier or wheelwright.

 

[Cagey]

It's probably too late. Some words get overloaded over time as talent/technology/specialties come into being. Look at "Doctor" or "Minister" or "President".

 

[Rick]

More akin to the word architect.

 

[Cagey]

:icon_thumright: That is a better analogy.