Official Luthiers Forum!

Just wondering how many of you are full time or part time luthier/repair persons

I'm full time. which just means I screw things up round the clock....

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Haven't given up the day job yet but fast approaching retirement

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Part time --
Which means I have less time than John does to screw things up

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

like john mays said. it often takes me full time time, and some times time and a half time, to get part time work done these days. just another one of the joys of getting old and decrepit.

I've been fulltime for eight years. I have a very understanding wife, although she would still like to see me in a suit and tie---I used to be an accountant in a previous life.

Full time in my retirement...now that's an oxymoron!

Full time..for two years
Glen

I design farm equipment at my day job and build archtops evenings, weekends, vacation and holidays.
Would love to build full time but it's tough to walk away from a job where group BCBS full coverage only costs $100/month, 20+ years longevity, four weeks vacation and 10 holidays. And they even pay me a salary!
It's a tough decision, at 59+, whether to stick it out till 65 or make the move now.
Any suggestions?
Nelson

Im am a manufacturing engineer by by day and a luthier by night. The day job pays too much for the wife to allow me to luthier full time

Nelson,

Stick it out the remaining 6 years... your retirement account will thank you. Although, you build a nice git-fiddle! Choices choices!
I don't have a ton of time invested with my job, so going full time, when the opportunity is right will make me leave quickly. You have a lot invested there...don't make a rash move! Talk to your accountant/estate planner.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I have a full time job, so I build in the evenings, weekends, etc. But, I THINK about building 24/7, even at the day job! You know, talking on the phone, doodling a rosette design on my desk calendar, wondering if nitro has cured yet....oh back to work!

Jeff

Don--Thanks for the advice on one of the most difficult decisions I've ever faced.

[QUOTE=MichaelP] Im am a manufacturing engineer by by day and a luthier by night. The day job pays too much for the wife to allow me to luthier full time [/QUOTE]
^^^ Ditto what he said ^^^ Same occupation, same problems!

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

I am a support specialist for mission critical unix customers. I work nights, 11:00pm to 7:00am, and try to squeeze in as much shop time as possible between naps.

I am getting pretty fed up with the day job though. So, who knows what will happen.......

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I'm with you Jeff,
I'm a spair time builder and there is'nt enough time in a day.
I do savor the time in the shop though..

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

I'm a full time builder. If only I could figure out a way to draw a full time salary. This $3 and hour stuff is for the birds. Hey, we're not in it for the money anyway right?

Nelson -
I face the some of the same problems as well - Ive been at the same employer for 21 years this past April, and I'm only 40, so you can see, Ive been here since graduating High School, I have a stay at home wife (OUR choice), two little girls and a to-big-a mortgage, car payments - yada yada yada - College on the horizon for (maybe) both girls, so although id love to do what I love for a living, Its just not feasible - its fun to dream though

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

[QUOTE=Tim McKnight] [QUOTE=MichaelP] Im am a manufacturing engineer by by day and a luthier by night. The day job pays too much for the wife to allow me to luthier full time [/QUOTE]
^^^ Ditto what he said ^^^ Same occupation, same problems![/QUOTE]

Darn Tim with your proficiency I figured for sure you were full timing it. If I not wrong I think there are about 3 or 4 of us here that are engineers.MichaelP38484.5324652778

How 'bout option 3, avid hobbyist?

Maybe a fourth option too...amerature hack!

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

I have to agree with Mattia about the "avid hobbyist" description. Maybe even "madly avid hobbyist with a tendancy toward obsession"

Skip

[QUOTE=npalen] group BCBS full coverage only costs $100/month. And they even pay me a salary!
Any suggestions?
[/QUOTE]

Man, I know, it's tough, but I'd suggest using some of that salary to tool up and buy wood so you can complete 12 to 20 instruments per year. Now that would be a SWEET "retirement!" You'll be glad you stuck it out if you can keep that insurance after retirement, too.

Carlton

I'm a hobbyist right now. I am a Database Administrator in the day. It pays too much for me to go full time on the guitars........I'd starve as I don't have the experience or customers.

Some day.

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Guitars...One's too many...Twenty is not enough.

I'm part, part time. I've got another 12 years to go with the government before I can retire. Even though I'd like to be full time, its too hard to walk away from the steady income and benefits. By the way, thanks for paying those taxes <ducking>

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA