software

quot;Luthierquot; is a word that gets thrown around a lot and seems to mean different things to different people. Where do you draw the line?

A luthier can build a guitar (or other instrument) from scratch but knows about how to fix them as well.

a luthier is someone who builds guitars from scratch. and since he/she has this ability, people often bring their guitars to them for repairs, etc. but considering how your poll is worded, i chose all of the above.

A luthier does it all. Neck and body. Wireing, Finish. Set up.


Originally Posted by skyydogg01a luthier is someone who builds guitars from scratch. and since he/she has this ability, people often bring their guitars to them for repairs, etc. but considering how your poll is worded, i chose all of the above.

1

A luthier creates guitars from scratch. Many luthiers do not do repair/tech work, because they have specialized their skills. Techs do the grunt work as a general rule.

I would say in a spectrum of Luthiers:
A Master Luthier can create a guitar from blocks of wood.
A luthier in general would do major repairs (i.e.) Headstock repair,neck reset
refrets etc.
A guy who does setups and minor repairs would be a guitar tech.
Interesting thread. I wonder what others think?

the word luthier comes from lute (medieval mini guitar thing). It's like the name miller-one who mills/runs a mill/can take care of a mill. so lute thier = a person who should be able to fix, and build any aspect of a guitar.

According to the American-heritage Dictionary,

luthier (noun) - a craftsman who repairs or builds stringed instruments (such as lutes or guitars or violins).

Now as far as opinion goes, I would have to say that Gregg (skydogg) has what seems to be the general use of the term listed.... Obviously if you have to build the entire instrument, then the repairs would come second-nature, wouldnt they...

My definition of ...

A Luthier is: Starts with blocks of wood and ends up with an instrument

A tech is: Works on guitars, does setups and repairs

A hobbiest with a penchance for unfinished projects, or too much time on their hands is: Creates a guitar from parts


Originally Posted by jmcoreyA luthier can build a guitar (or other instrument) from scratch but knows about how to fix them as well.

1 was gonna say that b4 i entered the thread

ne way im always the person my friends go to with their axe problems and as much as i wish i was im not

in my opinion the repairing term gets abused like someone who puts on new strings or minor adjustments i think u can be considered a luthier if u can build guitars from scratch and the 1s made out of shoe boxes rubberbands and rulers do not count


Originally Posted by FELIX57and the 1s made out of shoe boxes rubberbands and rulers do not countOh crap!!!


Originally Posted by Jeff_HA luthier creates guitars from scratch. Many luthiers do not do repair/tech work, because they have specialized their skills. Techs do the grunt work as a general rule.

what jolly's roommate said.


Originally Posted by TheProphetMy definition of ...

A Luthier is: Starts with blocks of wood and ends up with an instrument

A tech is: Works on guitars, does setups and repairs

A hobbiest with a penchance for unfinished projects, or too much time on their hands is: Creates a guitar from parts

1.

I´d define it differently, in the sense of each line can do all of the things listed under it, but not yet those over it ( I assume that all people strive for Improvenment like myself when I say that, many unfortunately prefer to stagnate)...

Master Luthier - Trains luthiers
Luthier - starts with blocks of wood and ends up with a guitar, can train techs
Hi-level Tech - Can do more or less anything except actually build a guitar from scratch, can also train quot;normalquot; techs
Tech - general Repairs, setups,.... but not necessarily major things like headstock or neck resets, bridge movement on an Acoustic, loosened tops and such.......

I disagree that Luthiers don´t generally do tech work.... When you do it professionally, repairs and setups are your bread and butter, building guitars is (unfortunately) just the ham... this may vary a bit by location, but almost all of the luthiers I know personally essentially make their living as a Hi-Level tech

Hell, that´s my whole problem, I´m a trained luthier whose skillss have quot;dwindled quot; down to just over hi-level tech work....

luthier is like a US Navy Seal.. can do it all and stuff...

tech is like a grunt..

I felt bad for the quot;partsquot; option, so I chose that


Originally Posted by TheProphetMy definition of ...

A Luthier is: Starts with blocks of wood and ends up with an instrument

A tech is: Works on guitars, does setups and repairs

A hobbiest with a penchance for unfinished projects, or too much time on their hands is: Creates a guitar from parts

I'd like to see someone who isn't qualified as a tech (by experience or certification) build a whole, functional guitar from parts.

Or better yet, I'd like to see that guitar.

Hello Hello-- I can fix / repair almost anything on a guitar [including lacquer finishes, electronics etc....] but I NEVER call myself a luthier because I cannot build an acoustic guitar from the ground up. I got all of my experience from playing-owning-fixing guitars for many years [ottosguitars.com] but I still consider myself a player first. I know plenty of great luthiers and always ask them questions but have nver gone back and learned the art of building a good acoustic guitar from scratch.
Brian.


Originally Posted by sosomethingI'd like to see someone who isn't qualified as a tech (by experience or certification) build a whole, functional guitar from parts.

Or better yet, I'd like to see that guitar.

I'm working on it. I'm definatly in TheProphet's definition of a hobbiest... nothing is done yet

I see a luthier as someone who can take a few pieces of wood and create great instrument from that wood. But I also seeing the luthier as someone who does repairs and quot;techquot; work, not because it's glorious work, but because bills need to be paid.