Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on January 30, 2013 at 7:49pm

I was a self employed A&P with I.A. Specialized in vintage tube and wood structures and fabric covering work. My theory was that if I had a job I enjoyed, it wasn't work. As the saying goes, "if you want to make a small fortune in aviation, start out with a large one". I started out with next to nothing and still have most of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by c# merle on January 30, 2013 at 11:59am

it's all about growing your skills.

you go from building a guitar in 2 hours to obsessing over tiny details for  days on end...

it's a musical journey, so enjoy the ride

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on January 30, 2013 at 2:03pm

Ain't it the truth. I don't mean that I'm building in a rush.  But, once I start and get a roll on, I don't want to stop.  These are not that complicated.  2 or 3 months to build a guitar is one thing.  2 or 3 months on a 3 or 4 string cigar box is like a preacher with a Rolls Royce.  Somethin' just ain't right.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on January 30, 2013 at 3:03pm

   @ 5 months...  ๏_๏

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on January 30, 2013 at 6:32pm

simplify

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on January 30, 2013 at 8:22pm

Oh, it's simple...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Recchione on February 4, 2013 at 4:49am

I use only hand tools, and my "shop" has been a Workmate in my living room, so that adds time.  Also -  so far, every instrument I've built has been really different from the others, and I spend most of my build time staring at the parts and figuring out what to do.  Do you count design, planning and iteration time as part of the build?

 

On the last one, I decided I wanted good acoustic performance, and I spent a lot of time messing around with bracing the top to get the best sound (maybe a silly thing to do when starting out with a cigar box, but I'm pretty happy with the way the thing sounds unplugged as a result...), bridge placement, bridge design, etc.   Also spent a lot of time adjusting decisions after starting, as I learned more ...   If I wanted to make the exact same instrument again, I could probably crank it out pretty quickly.  But that would get really boring...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on March 6, 2015 at 9:19am

Got that right Wayfinder. I have done builds in just a few hours, even taking my time to enjoy the process and I have others that have taken several weeks from start to finish (not all work hours) due to the desire to have it just a little prettier or unique than a run of the mill box and stick build. If you are retired like I am and doing this for fun rather than trying to market the builds, time doesn't matter.Sometimes I may only work on a build for an hour and put it aside while other projects are being done and then come back to it and discover that while I was away new ideas added on to my original mental plan. I have one on the bench right now that I started last year between a couple of other builds that has been evolving while other things happen. If I hit a "builder's block" kind of moment it seems to help to let it ferment for a while and see where it wants to go.

My advice to someone just starting is to build the first one simple and quick so you have something to play with while you  work on your perfect creation.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on March 6, 2015 at 9:28am

It takes me about 2 hours to cut, glue and carve the neck. It takes me about an hour to fret the fingerboard, including dressing the fret ends.  I spend about an hour and a half fitting the neck to the box and installing the tuners and nut.  I spend another half hour fitting the electronics to the box.  Once all of that is done, I take it apart and shoot clear lacquer over everything, sealing in the cigar band at the first fret.  The following day, I spend about 2 hours putting it all together, slotting the nut, and making the bridge. Then it's time to string it up, plug it in and let 'er rip.

Looking back through this thread, I can see how my times have changed over the last year.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith on March 6, 2015 at 9:38am

as I have done three now I feel I can weigh in on this subject.  Well as soon as I learn how to calculate an average I'll be more ready to comment, but why wait?  my first took me about 12 hours, my second took almost 18 as I really slowed down and sanded it fine and did several coats of tung oil.  My third was a canjo and took about 9 hours as I fretted it myself and that was m first time fretting.  My LPG is set to take me well into the thirty hour range as I have really slowed down and taken each step as carefully as possible.  My Gordy build should be a bit less but will definitely be 20+ hours, just with the care I will be taking to get the tribute gitty right.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on March 6, 2015 at 9:44am

Sounds good Keith. Unless you are trying to mass produce and market them the time doesn't really matter.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TN Twang on March 6, 2015 at 9:59am

Wow. This discussion can go so many different ways...

1) I've got a dulcimer started and the glue has been drying since last August. How many hours does that count as? Also, it took me 3 days to empty a wine bottle so I could make another slide.

2) I've had trouble convincing crafter friends that they can't charge for the hours of pleasure in their creations--only for the hours of work. I ask them how many hours pay they'd give me if they hired me to make the item for them. Meanwhile, truth is that I like to kill time during a build. Don't expect to be paid for the time, just glad I don't have to pay for the privilege.

3) Some high-end Nashville luthier was cited as saying he could produce a world-class instrument in about a week, but it took at least 2 years to make all the jigs necessary for the build. I don't aspire to his level of craftsmanship, but I have spent several years trying to learn what does and doesn't work so that I can throw a CBG or canjo together a lot faster now than when I started out. If you sell your instruments, charge only for the minimum hours required, but charge a high hourly rate because you are a skilled crafter.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• Next ›
• Page