... to learn from a master ....
... my woodworking interest grew out of my interest in music and more specifically lutherie (building stringed musical instruments). Over time I have built several solid body electric guitars, acoustic flattop guitars, a banjo and two mandolins (the mandolins from kits from Stewart-MacDonald ). The 'art' of lutherie and more specifically building a carved top Florentine style mandolin ( pics ) is definitely a bit daunting ... to this point I have been "self taught" reading books, watching videos and making lottsa instructional mistakes ... I'd classify myself very much a "mechanic" level and far far from an artisan ...
In October of this year I will attend a five day "Siminoff Lutherie Camp" dedicated to building "F style" mandolins and I have to say I am very excited at the prospect. The instructor and leader of this camp is Roger Siminoff . Roger is the author of the definitive text on building F style mandolins and a recognized master of the craft. This would be tantamount to attending a week long furniture building seminar under the direct instruction of Sam Maloof (when Sam was still with us).
The decision to take this step was very much a "teach a man to fish ..." line of thinking for me ... the cost of attending the seminar including travel expense is about equal to the cost of a very nice upper-middle of the road F style mandolin by recognized builders or companies, but I'm hoping to learn enough to get to that level of quality quicker than without the seminar.
I know there are several folks on this forum that are luthiers of one caliber or another and just wanted to share what I have to look forward to. I'll do my best to share some of the experiences via this forum after the fact.
In October of this year I will attend a five day "Siminoff Lutherie Camp" dedicated to building "F style" mandolins and I have to say I am very excited at the prospect. The instructor and leader of this camp is Roger Siminoff . Roger is the author of the definitive text on building F style mandolins and a recognized master of the craft. This would be tantamount to attending a week long furniture building seminar under the direct instruction of Sam Maloof (when Sam was still with us).
The decision to take this step was very much a "teach a man to fish ..." line of thinking for me ... the cost of attending the seminar including travel expense is about equal to the cost of a very nice upper-middle of the road F style mandolin by recognized builders or companies, but I'm hoping to learn enough to get to that level of quality quicker than without the seminar.
I know there are several folks on this forum that are luthiers of one caliber or another and just wanted to share what I have to look forward to. I'll do my best to share some of the experiences via this forum after the fact.
although several of my friends accuse me of being "retired on full salary..." I just 'celebrated' 35 years with a 'big blue' computer company last week ... still employed for the moment but it's kinda "day to day" at this point.
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