Learning Opportunities...

[Pranav Ajay Warrier]

Just wondering, where can I actually learn with a luthier like an apprenticeship-sort deal? I really want to see how a professional does it, and I have no tools at home except for screwdrivers, so I can't do it here either. I live in Morgantown, WV. I would prefer somewhere within 1 hour and 45 minutes of Morgantown. Thanks.

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If you don't know of any of these opportunities, could you at least name a few luthiers close by if you know of any? I would be happy to contact them.

[rcc56]

If you're ever in Southeast Tennessee, you're welcome to look me up. I'm solely a repair and restoration man, not a builder. Mine is the epitome of a small-time operation-- a basement workbench, not enough light, and a little too much clutter. Better than working on the kitchen counter, though, which is how I started off.

You might want to contact Bob Smakula in Elkins. At the very least, he would probably give you an escorted tour of his shop.

[Pranav Ajay Warrier]

If you're ever in Southeast Tennessee, you're welcome to look me up. I'm solely a repair and restoration man, not a builder. Mine is the epitome of a small-time operation-- a basement workbench, not enough light, and a little too much clutter. Better than working on the kitchen counter, though, which is how I started off.

You might want to contact Bob Smakula in Elkins. At the very least, he would probably give you an escorted tour of his shop.

Thanks, I contacted Him

[Jeff Mando]

Dan Erlewine is one of the best. He is in Athens, Ohio and runs the StewMac repair shop. Worth a call.

At the very least he has hundreds of cool videos on Youtube.....

[SlimJim]

I'm going to this build camp in Virginia, the teacher is from West Virginia if you want to check it out. https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...rch-25-30-2018

[ManjoMan]

Dan Erlewine is one of the best. He is in Athens, Ohio and runs the StewMac repair shop. Worth a call.

At the very least he has hundreds of cool videos on Youtube.....

Pete Hart, who builds the Buckeye mandolins, is near Athens as well. I recall him
telling me that he learned from someone who lived near him. Great guy and does
excellent work.

[fscotte]

No apprenticeship here, but Im located in Zanesville Ohio. Don Macrostie from Athens (one of the best builders around Red Diamond) used to have apprenticeship from students at Ohio University. You can also visit his shop just call him first.