Hi there. I'm Paul, or APPO. I quit my job last year and decided to be a luthier. ( I know.. crazy) it was partly for health reasons but mostly because I want to be happy most of the time! I'm 46, I trained as a joiner when I was 16 and then went on to do roadie/sound engineer type things for about 15 years. I then got 'a proper job' which made me miserable so I quit and now I'm here!
I've been doing a lot of learning on line, as you do, and I'm accumulating books on guitar building faster than I can read them.
I was just about to build a small workshop in the garden before lockdown and it looks like that can now start to make progress.
because I'm just getting started, I am still open about what I want to build. I play a bit of guitar and bass but I'm happy to build whatever is most in demand.
Hey Appo - Glad you found us! Making a living in this game is not easy, but I'm living proof it can be done if you are determined enough. The best advice I can give you is to start with a basic build so you can get familiar with all the methods and get your tools together - after that the world is your oyster.
I put everything I know into our courses and I think they really are the best possible introduction to guitar making - short of actually working in a guitar factory.
Your story sounds like mine although it was 30 years ago for me...(shit)....There are other members here in a similar position to us at various stages and we enjoy helping each other out.
Good luck !! And If there is anything I can do to help - just ask.
Measure twice, cut once...
@markbailey thanks for the reply. sounds like good advice. I shall plod on with the courses and probably see you round in the forums.