Luthier Materials
What are Luthier Materials?
First of all, a luthier is defined as a person, who either repairs or makes stringed instruments. The label is rarely used here in the USA, and these instrument makers are often referred to by means of their specialty, such as a guitar maker, violin maker, lute maker, etc.
Lutherie describes the actual stringed instrument production, and is divided into two major categories being strummed or plucked instruments, and instruments being played with a bow.
Luthier Materials is the term that is used to describe all of the materials that are used specifically in the creation of stringed instruments and can include the following:
Bowed instrument luthier materials will repeatedly have top and back blanks that are hand split into wedge-shaped, book-matched pieces, which make provisions for the arch-shaped top. These wedge-shaped top and back plates are additionally used for some of the plucked and strummed instruments such as the arch-topped guitar, and the mandolin.
Luther Materials that are utilized for the construction of Classical Guitar and Acoustic Guitars are classified into four distinct categories being: Guitar Finishing, Wood Products, Decorative Products and Hardware.
Luthier Materials Used for Guitar Finishing:
Wood Product Luthier Materials:
Decorative Products - Luthier Materials:
Assorted Hardware Luthier Materials:
First of all, a luthier is defined as a person, who either repairs or makes stringed instruments. The label is rarely used here in the USA, and these instrument makers are often referred to by means of their specialty, such as a guitar maker, violin maker, lute maker, etc.
Lutherie describes the actual stringed instrument production, and is divided into two major categories being strummed or plucked instruments, and instruments being played with a bow.
Luthier Materials is the term that is used to describe all of the materials that are used specifically in the creation of stringed instruments and can include the following:
Bowed instrument luthier materials will repeatedly have top and back blanks that are hand split into wedge-shaped, book-matched pieces, which make provisions for the arch-shaped top. These wedge-shaped top and back plates are additionally used for some of the plucked and strummed instruments such as the arch-topped guitar, and the mandolin.
Luther Materials that are utilized for the construction of Classical Guitar and Acoustic Guitars are classified into four distinct categories being: Guitar Finishing, Wood Products, Decorative Products and Hardware.
Luthier Materials Used for Guitar Finishing:
- Lacquer Type Finishes
- Finishes With a Spirit Base
- Water-Based Lacquers and Stains
- Varnishes and Stains With an Oil Base
- Vinyl, Shellac, and Lacquer Wash Coats
- Wood Pore Fillers
- Buffing Products
Wood Product Luthier Materials:
- Tonewood Top Plates:
- Back Plate and Side Tonewood
- Brace Wood
- Wood Products use For Necks
- Wood Used for Fretboards
Decorative Products - Luthier Materials:
- Plastic Binding and Purfling Materials
- Wood Purfling and Binding Materials
- Shell Inlay
- Sound Hole Decoration and Rosettes
- Materials Used for Pick guards
- Wood Guitar Bridge Blanks
- Pre-constructed Bridges
- Head Plate Woods
- Various Exotic Veneers
Assorted Hardware Luthier Materials:
- String Tuning Machines
- Nuts and Saddles - Bone, Ivory and Plastic Products
- Guitar Strings
- Pickups Used for Acoustic Guitars
- Guitar Fretwire
- Bridge Pins - Various Materials
- Adjustable Truss Rods
- Neck Reinforcing Stock
Title.
Luthier Materials - Hardware
Luthier Materials - Customer Experience:
There are many fantastic sources for each of these four luthier material categories. You will discover that certain suppliers specialize in tonewood only and others in top tonewood only.
Some suppliers offer larger varieties of luthier materials, and a select few offer every material that the luthier needs to build a guitar.
Be sure you visit our page Luthier Materials Sources for all the links, and listings of the best suppliers. This list will growing over time as we discover new suppliers and received feedback from our readers.
Many suppliers stand steadfastly behind their materials that they sell. Also, due to the fact that wood is subjected to variations in growing circumstances and area in which the wood is harvested, there can minor defects and variations associated with the products. Listed below is a typical satisfaction agreement that you will see from many of these quality and quality suppliers:
Customer Satisfaction Guarantee for Luthier Materials:
We are very confident in our materials as you may well guess. If you are sent an product which do no live up to your expectations, you can apply for an exchange or return if for either a credit or refund. All we ask that you please speak to a sales person prior to return and that the product is returned within a two week period and the product is received by us in an unaltered or unworked condition. If products are shipped form our service department, which are altered products, this policy does not apply to those particular products.
As you can tell from this example customer satisfaction document, many of these suppliers are willing to go the extra mile to enhance their customer experience.
There are many fantastic sources for each of these four luthier material categories. You will discover that certain suppliers specialize in tonewood only and others in top tonewood only.
Some suppliers offer larger varieties of luthier materials, and a select few offer every material that the luthier needs to build a guitar.
Be sure you visit our page Luthier Materials Sources for all the links, and listings of the best suppliers. This list will growing over time as we discover new suppliers and received feedback from our readers.
Many suppliers stand steadfastly behind their materials that they sell. Also, due to the fact that wood is subjected to variations in growing circumstances and area in which the wood is harvested, there can minor defects and variations associated with the products. Listed below is a typical satisfaction agreement that you will see from many of these quality and quality suppliers:
Customer Satisfaction Guarantee for Luthier Materials:
We are very confident in our materials as you may well guess. If you are sent an product which do no live up to your expectations, you can apply for an exchange or return if for either a credit or refund. All we ask that you please speak to a sales person prior to return and that the product is returned within a two week period and the product is received by us in an unaltered or unworked condition. If products are shipped form our service department, which are altered products, this policy does not apply to those particular products.
As you can tell from this example customer satisfaction document, many of these suppliers are willing to go the extra mile to enhance their customer experience.
