Galloup School of Lutherie

**sscolt** · Jan-10-2012, 3:36am

Hi, I'm new to the site and just want to say I really enjoy the input and knowledge you are able to gain from the musicians on here. I am also curious if any of you have heard of
Galloup School of Lutherie? I have always wanted to build instruments and would love to be able to make a living doing so. I would really appreciate any input or comments about this school. Thanks.

**Andy Miller** · Jan-10-2012, 8:36am

I work with three guys who went there and liked it. They are three of the most skilled guys in the shop.

**Kip Carter** · Jan-10-2012, 8:56am

Where is this school located?
Kip...

**Bill Snyder** · Jan-10-2012, 9:02am

Kip, they are in Big Rapids, MI. HERE is their website.

**Kip Carter** · Jan-10-2012, 9:03am

CRAP!!! I used to live up there in the Saginaw area!

Long commute from Alabama!
Kip...

**Gerry Cassidy** · Jan-10-2012, 9:50am

The gentleman who works on my instruments went there. He said he liked it. Learned everything he planned on learning. I can attest that he definitely knows how to work on acoustic instruments. He keeps my herd healthy.

**zekelittle** · Jan-10-2012, 10:01am

HI all, I've known Brian Galloup since he was in high school, he is a terrific guy, and really knows his stuff! I visited his shop last July and was impressed with the professionalism of the operation and the quality of the student's work.

**otterly2k** · Jan-10-2012, 12:22pm

I attended the "journeyman" program at Galloup a few years ago. I will attest that the school is well-organized, well-appointed (in terms of tools and equipment), very safety conscious, and provides a thorough base in information and hands-on skills needed. Bryan is indeed an exceptionally talented luthier, but be aware that the courses are taught by teachers (trained by Bryan), and not by Bryan himself. He will come in and do some demonstrations, but he is not the daily instructor... the school is a business that he developed alongside his luthiery business. That said, I liked my teachers and assistants, and they were helpful and responsive to me as a learner. They are committed to running a serious trade school.

For me, Galloup was the best choice at the time. I was in my early 40's and in between jobs-- had always wanted to learn more about building and repair, and was considering whether it was something that could be a career change for me. I learned what I went there to learn. I think it was an excellent value... for me that was partly b/c there was a short course (8 week) program available and b/c lodging was included. If I was considering training for a career in luthiery as a much younger person, I would recommend their longer course and also consider looking into Roberto-Venn and Redwing and compare the programs for what suits you best.

If you have specific questions about the Galloup school and my experiences there, you are welcome to PM or email me, and I'd be happy to share what I can.

**Joe Mendel** · Jan-10-2012, 12:36pm

I visited Bryan's shop/school last September, it made me wish I could have gone there. Bryan invited us over after the Wheatland Festival and we spend a couple of hours hanging out and poking around the place. It is very impressive and Bryan knows his stuff and is eager to share what he knows.

**Big Joe** · Jan-10-2012, 12:48pm

Lutherie schools can be a good thing, but you won't come out a master luthier. You will get an opportunity to understand how instruments are constructed and how they work. You will get some experience in using the needed tools and some of the processes needed to repair or build. There can be a lot of good information if you can absorb it. At the very least you will get an idea what the processes are for repair and building.

What you won't get is the skills needed to be a good luthier. You have to develop those yourself if you have the ability. It will take a lot of experience to get your chops down and learn all the little things needed to really do the work. You won't learn everything there is to learn. It is a great way to see if this is what you want to pursue and an idea of the equipment, tools, and materials you will need. You will get some practice using these tools but not enough to be proficient.

It would be good, if you can, to get into a shop where they do these kinds of work and learn from there. Once you get enough experience to go on your own you will have a lot more confidence. It will certainly let you know how you stand with this kind of work.

Another option is to get into a shop that builds or repairs or both. Many shops are small and cannot take on an apprentice, or afford to pay someone for the time they are learning. We have trained a couple guys in the last few years. They have really done a great job and they can do anything. However, those opportunities are few and far between.

**mandodan1960** · Jan-10-2012, 1:12pm

Thanks Joe for a honest assessment of Lutherie schools in general. Your posts are always informative and honest. Not to sling mud at the other comments but when I request a review of a Lutherie school,Camp,DVD,Book,Cd I want to know the Pros and Cons of whatever I'm considering plunking my hard earned cash on to often people are reluctant to give ya straight scoop. Not sure why but it sure does seem to be the norm.

**sscolt** · Jan-10-2012, 1:15pm

Thank you all the your helpful input. The school is only 2 hours from me and I am fortunate enough to have the time to attempt this dream as a reality. I realize, like Big Joe pointed out, that there will be much more to learn and hopefully I will be able to find a shop that may be able to take on an apprentice. I was also wanted to ask to the members who have attended the school, beings this is a mandolin based site, if you are able to build one or more mandolins during your schooling? I play guitar and mandolin and would really love to build both. I'm sure the school would give you the knowledge to build both, but I would love the hands on experience doing so. Thank you all again.

**otterly2k** · Jan-10-2012, 1:17pm

Joe is absolutely right... that you won't come out of this (or, I think, any program) as a master luthier. But it does provide a systematic overview and a foundation of knowledge and skills that you may then build on by doing the work over time, gaining experience and proficiency... just like any skill, it takes ongoing practice and study.

I just want to say, will utmost respect to Joe, that different learners may need different approaches. I'd been studying and learning stuff about instrument repair piecemeal for many years. I felt kind of stuck in my development of skills. I found that going to school helped me. First of all, I could devote all my attention to learning and practicing for that period of time. Second, I had a chance to get an overview of the whole building process, components, skills, tools, design issues, etc. Third, I had access to a group of people who were dedicated to teaching, available for questions, could model techniques and show me how (e.g. not just reading about stuff). Fourth, I had access to a well-equipped shop, tools, materials, etc. I experienced a huge advance in my abilities and knowledge... although I readily admit that I am still an amateur in the field and what would take me (or anyone) farther is lots of experience/practice... especially with a mentor around.

Is it better to apprentice directly? Or go to school first and then seek that sort of arrangement? No single answer to this, I'm sure. One argument is that a master luthier (or shop) may be more interested in taking on an apprentice who already has some training and skills, as that apprentice would have more to offer in exchange for ongoing instruction.

**otterly2k** · Jan-10-2012, 1:20pm

Unless the program has changed, it does not include mandolin building. Bryan has occasionally said he might do a mando building course someday - so you could check with him about whether that's an option. There should be detailed course descriptions on the Galloup website... trust those. And do not expect any variation in the curriculum. The courses are designed with specific teaching objectives in mind. You are learning how to build to specs... so the instruments you build will be very standardized. This is not the place to go to build your dream instrument. You will learn building foundations, though... and most of the same principles apply to building mandolins.

--- edit: Just checked the site... archtop mandolin is an option for the long program.
It looks like the first 8 weeks includes one electric and one acoustic guitar, and then for the next 2 8 week sessions you go on to choose what you'd like to build - archtop guitar, archtop mando, classical guitar, or set neck electric guitar or bass. (choose 2)...

**otterly2k** · Jan-10-2012, 1:24pm

sscolt-
feel free to email me at shewho1 at msn dot com if you have more questions I can help you with. I can also connect you to one of my classmates who went on to apprentice with a well known mando luthier, who might have good info to share.

**sscolt** · Jan-10-2012, 1:30pm

Thank you otterly2k. I had seen on the site that it was an option to build a mandolin, but did not see it as a choice of instrument to build on the application form. Again, thank you for the input.

**Joe Mendel** · Jan-10-2012, 2:32pm

Big Joe is right, a good school will give you a good start, but if you choose to pursue luthierie, you'll never stop learning or know it all.

**Dobe** · Jan-10-2012, 3:49pm

[QUOTE=sscolt;1007282] would love to be able to make a living doing so.

I imagine there's alot of folks that feel that way. I think the key word missing there is 'decent'.

'Dyin' (or starvin') aint' much of a livin' !

Probably need a few years of 'Meat n' Potatoes' to start getting comfortable with the basics. Setup / fret work. Finish touchup / electronics. etc etc. Maybe pick up a couple beaters to practice neck re-sets. Classes are a great way to start. I've been an avid ametuer for some 16 years (1st -3 yrs as apprentice / class) and wouldn't say I'm anywhere near 'Master". Love doing it though, I think if it where my living it might kill some of the love. Same goes for playing really. Good luck !

**grandcanyonminstrel** · Jan-10-2012, 9:15pm

You've got a LOT of options these days if you want to spend money to learn the basics of lutherie and build an instrument or two. It is really important to do your homework and checkout all of the competition. Finding the right school or opportunity for your interests is critical to your selection. I've know a number of students who went to one of the large brand name schools with specific goals, only to spend a LOT of $$$$$ and in the end never got what they were looking for, although they did build a stratocaster and an OM along the way. Are you the type of person who works best with one on one instruction? If so, going to a place that advertises 30+ students per class won't work very well for your learning style.

I mean no reference to anyplace specific, but as a general rule, would you go to a banjo builder to learn guitar skills? Would you go to a violin builder if your focus is on the dobro? Would yo go to a double bass builder to learn about electric guitars? If you want to learn to build mandolins, go to a mandolin builder, not a place where mandolins are looked at as a viable use for smaller scrap materials!!!

Keep in mind that being able to build a great guitar / mandolin / bass/ other instrument is a completely different set of life skills than being able to pay your mortgage and feed a family building instruments.

Even as someone who does a LOT of teaching and runs a small lutherie school myself, the number one program that I recommend for longer term students is David Freeman's Timeless School, up in Sascatchewan:

http://www.timelessinstruments.com/classes.html

David is a GREAT fellow to work with and learn from. His program is also one of the most affordable around. If you have not heard of him, be sure to check it out; tell 'em I sentchya'....

j.
www.condino.com

coming in February:
www.blueridgeschooloflutherie.com