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I'v also been considering going to a school sometime down the road maybe next couple years or so. i live in south dakota and the closest school is in Red Wing Minn. iv heard a lot about that school and others. but i was just wondering if anyone really knows the opertunities of guitar building around this area. id like to learn all about it and do it but its expensive and i dont really want to move a real long ways away from here. somewhere where i can commute to play in the band im in because weve kind of starting to get a cool thing going and a name for ourselves somewhat. and iv just been wondering if it would be worth doing.

Matt,
very few people make a lot of money building guitars. I think the reason any of us do it is because we love it. That said...what is "too expensive...too far". We all spend a lot of money traveling the country to talk to each other and continuosly learn from one another. We also spend our kids' college fund on wood that is so beautiful we don't want to build with it because it's so beautiful.

Dave-SKG38637.5118402778

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Here is my thought on this issue. You will spend so much on the schooling you need to take the perspective of a grad student. Research the school, teachers and facilities but most of all, the teacher. If you are going to spend that much, choose the teacher that interests you.

After four years of building for sale I am planning to attend a 30 day program with a well known luthier. (I am not mentioning names till I am in the program. I don't want to get my hopes to high yet.) I have to wait 2 years if I am lucky to get in, but I checked out many schools and many programs, and choose this one because the luthiers philosophy fit mine. I will be spending more than I had first planed but getting what I am really looking for from someone I already have great respect for.

Ya I'd put in the research and save up to take the time off and go do a course somewhere. I'm also planning on "going to school" after I've got the basics locked down Figure I should get the easy stuff outta the way so I can take advantage of the experience/knowledge I'll have access to. Also I notice we're sponsored by Ervin Somogyi now.. His class "The Principles and Practice of Voicing the Guitar" sounds pretty interesting too. Another thing I'll have to save for Luckily I'm single and childess.. the only "fund" I end up dipping into is my beer money Jason38637.8364814815

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ha. yeah thats kinda the same for me. single childless but still seem not to have any money. still able to scrounge up a couple bucks for a beer when needed.   yeah im gonna try to do some kits and maybe even try to build more and more from scractch before i attend a school. thanks for the info.

Matt lots of good schools. I do recommend Galloup. Bryan has a top notch school and shop. Russ the main instructor is awsome. He and Sam play in bands also. I would recommend the 6 month course if can as you build several guitars from electric to arch top and can get on almost anywhere with that. He also helps place. He I think also has a good relation with VA if a vet and may now be eligable for student loans. Can't say enough good things about Bryan and school. That said there are others less expensive and if want to take college course's Red Wing is good I'm sure. Maybe make money if get that one good commission down the line and pros play and edorse and some do make it. Most though do it for the craft and hope to break even and depend on other sources for income, but a living can be made. Even after a school an apprenticeship or working for a shop is even better than going on own at first for alot of reasons, mostly the amount of builds can do working in an established shop. Just check it all out and go for what works for you.