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William A Mackay Interview 8 Advice for future young luthiers

 

Do you have any advice for future young luthiers? Can you give them advice on training courses? Do you know of any special schools?

 

If I were to give positive advice to any aspiring young, or old luthier?

 

I’d certainly ask myself what do you want from this?

 

I don’t think I’ve met a rich luthier yet. Most are extremely dedicated and often quite philosophical about there chosen vocation.

There are sensible ways of developing a career in luthiery. But I’m the wrong man to ask there. No, I feel it’s much more viable to look at a career in restoration and repair than making, at least in the field of violin making and probably guitar also.

There are so many instruments out there and chances are any instrument in its lifetime will need a little work.

 

Most corners of the stringed instrument market are saturated with cheap instruments from the far East, and many of them are good, if not in the league of a high end western made instrument they do represent good value for money, I should perhaps acknowledge and mention the high end makers of the East as I know the standards they have also.

 

By building a reputation through repair and restoration work a luthier will stand a much better chance of selling personally made instruments if they still wish to.

 

I hope this is useful to someone at least.

It’s an extremely satisfying thing to produce an instrument and people should, and will do what they want.

 

Good Luck.

 

 

William A Mackay Interview 6 Instruments Pickups
William A Mackay Interview 8 Advice for future young luthiers

 

 

 

William A Mackay Interview 8 Advice for future young luthiers : the luthier

We invite you to consult the 2 personal pages of William A Mackay by clicking on the link below :

You can find him on Luthiers at this address for his work on Bowed String Instruments: https://luthiers.com/listing/william-a-mackay-luthiery/

And here for his work on Plucked String Instruments: https://luthiers.com/listing/william-a-mackay-luthiery-2/

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures of
William A Mackay Double bass
in the style of the English bass makers

This instrument is for sale : click here for more details

 

William A Mackay Double bass in the style of the English bass makers For Sale
William A Mackay Double bass in the style of the English bass makers For Sale

 

 

William A Mackay Double bass in the style of the English bass makers For Sale
William A Mackay Double bass in the style of the English bass makers For Sale

 

 

 

Pictures of
William A Mackay Violin
based on Guarnerius 1734

This instrument is for sale : click here for more details

 

William A Mackay Violin based on Guarnerius 1734 For Sale
William A Mackay Violin based on Guarnerius 1734 For Sale

 

William A Mackay Violin based on Guarnerius 1734 For Sale
William A Mackay Violin based on Guarnerius 1734 For Sale

 

 

 

 

In the coming weeks, as for all the others luthiers for plucked string instruments, luthiers for bowed string instruments, amps & effects makers, wood & supplies dealers, lutherie events, jobs, schools & teachers registered on our website, you will be able to follow our series of mini-interviews dedicated to the fascinating universe of luthiers.

See you soon…

#luthiers

 

 

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