How do you become a Fender Certified Luthier?

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FatBack

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...Is there such a thing? Is there training one can enroll in to become proficient at building and repairing guitars?

I saw some posts a while back from someone who had "Fender Gold Certified Luthier" title. (or it was something like that.

Has anybody got any additional details?
 

Rhomco

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University of Fender Guitars

I realize you are serious........ but I got mine for $12.00 on Ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

FatBack

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???

...OK, here's the deal...there are certifications for, computer technicians, network specialists, mechanics, doctors and such....with me so far?

Certainly, there must be some kind of certification to earn to become qualified to work on guitars....expensive guitars. Or do you just hand over your '59 Les Paul to the gum chewing kid working at Guitar Center?

I'd really like to take a class or something to learn how to properly use those fret pullers, braces, and other specialty tools.

Is this really such a ridiculous question?
 

Freddy Fender

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You might try checking with the luthiers in your hometown.
I "studied" under one in Toronto many years ago ... he would hold classes a couple of nights a week and basically all the students built an acoustic guitar under his guidance.
I learned a lot.

He told me I was certifiable ... :lol: :lol:
 

Teletwang

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Fender Certified Luthier ?

I just can't call an assembler, parts builder, or general set-up guy, a luthier. Sure, they tack on titles like silver, bronze, gold, super triple platinum tech, but in reality the credentials needed to become one are a far cry from the real thing.
 

Telecaster65

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In Italy we have luthier schools where you can graduate and become a luthier. A luthier is a craftsman who's able to build a superior quality stringed instrument such a cello, violin, almost every kind of acoustic guitar, mandolin etc from scratch. They basically work on acoustic instruments.

IMHO even people working at Fender Custom Shop don't need such an esoteric training, mostly thanks to the simplest design of SB guitars and the non-negligible help of modern CNC machines. Two or three years of training as an assistant at a reliable guitar maker shop should be a good recomendation.
 

RJB

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frets.com has a luthier links webpage.

(link removed)

I've talked online to a couple of "Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery" graduates. I believe their final project is to completely scratch built an acoustic instrument.
 

Dr.Guitar

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Well, here's how I got mine.

I am a Gold level certified Fender guitar Technician They don't use the term Luthier.
I had to submit Photos or repairs that I had done. Namely, since mine is for acoustic guitars, I had to prove to them that I could basically make one. I submitted photos of a Yamaha that I made a new redwood top for. Photos of it being cut, joined, braced, installed, the top being bound, the new fingerboard being fretted and inlayed, The new truss rod installation. everything.Including the spraying buffing, and the final finished instrument.
To become on for electrics, you have to provide the same info specific to electric instuments. Because I didn't submit electric photos, I am only Silver level. Even though I have built hollow body electrics, and a couple of solidbodies.
The application also asks what type of equipment you have, and how much experience you have. I was apprenticed to a man named Aaron Cowles who made F style mandolins for Gibson at the Kalamazoo plant. He also made all of Heritages Mandos, plus his own brand; Jubal. He also built Merle Travis' son, Thom Bresh the 18" Super 400-type Thom Bresh, Unity signature guitar ( I got to help with that one!)
Also; you have to be employed by a fender dealer or be set up as an independent tech. WHen I was managing a store here in Mich there was no problem. after the store closed, Fender disowned me as a tech. If I'm ever able to get back into a music Store, My fender tech number is reactivated. If I was able to set up a store front in a business district then I could be a Fender tech again. It just takes money...
hope this helps!
Ed
 

FatBack

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Thanks!

Many Thanks, Dr. Guitar! That answers the question. I know I've seen that silver level technician title before. (for a while there, I thought I'd imagined it or something.)

So, it appears there's no specific school. Only proof that you can do the job (with photos).

I'd really like to learn how to re-fret a guitar and stuff like that. I just don't want to destroy instruments in the process (kinda like EVH did when he was learning) Send some photos of your work.

BTW: I didn't mean to abuse the "luthier" title. Building a violin or acoustic is more complex, than say, a strat...I realize that.
 

Trump

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Since Dr.Guitar Pretty much hit on what i was gonna say... You also might want to get well acquainted with Stewart Macdonald.. There is a man by the name of Dan Erlewine that is probably one of the best in guitar repair. You can visit www.stewmac.com, You might buy dan's book Its pretty cheap For all the info he gives you. Anyway hope that helps...
 

Doug 54

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1st you have your local alderman (elected by poplar vote) submit your name by Ash Tuesday....

You will later get a Hello Kitty call from NOS Central with confirmation from Squire Samarian Cobalt jr.
 

graphs

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The guitar techs at Long & McQuade in Toronto have Fender certification on the wall where you drop off your guitar for repair. One certificate for electric and one for acoustic.
 

Dan German

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1st you have your local alderman (elected by poplar vote) submit your name by Ash Tuesday....

You will later get a Hello Kitty call from NOS Central with confirmation from Squire Samarian Cobalt jr.

I believe they only make those calls in April.
 

guitarbuilder

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Do a search for Charles Fox. He is the Man.... He is a guitar artist/luthier/educator/visionary. He gives short sessions and longer sessions. In the longer sessions, you will build a complete acoustic instrument. That will be the introduction that you need to do your own builds from scratch and practice your repair techniques. He's not cheap though. I went to a 6 week school of his called GRD in 1980. That was the best 1000 dollars I ever spent. There is also Vermont Instrument workshop in Vermont. The guy who runs it, George Morris, was actually the teacher at GRD while Charles was running a small custom shop on the premises. He is another excellent teacher.
 

dugg

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I'm a full time professional piano technician but I don't belong to the 'tuners guild'. I cut my teeth in NYC recording studios when I was 16. Before I lived there one year I was turning down work. When someone finds your name in the phone book (mine ain't there) they might ask you questions about your qualifications, but when your reputation precedes you they know what to expect. An important thing to remember when dealing with all artists and craftsmen; A piece of paper only tells you how bad a person ISN'T, it does not tell you how good they ARE. In other words, it establishes a bottom level of competence, but doesn't guarantee that the person is excellent. Many good technicians in the country don't belong to the guild for the same reason I don't. Because there's no good reason to. In fact, its a good bet that the guild could use me more than the other way around.
 
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