Apprenticeships: Potentially a Great Opportunity for Mentors and Apprentices Alike

by Bill Beadie

Originally published in American Lutherie #84, 2005



If you're reading this article, chances are good that you know more than I do about building guitars. The way I figure it, my experience adds up to approximately thirty-six weeks of full-time work, which has produced exactly two guitars, a few repairs, and includes some parts making and assembly work. While I can’t expect to teach you new tricks for neck sets or better ways to apply finish, I’m confident that I can explain why apprenticeships can be a great opportunity for both mentors and apprentices.

Allow me to sidetrack for a moment and tell you about John Greven. In the thirty-six-week time frame that I needed to build two guitars and perform a few other guitar-related tasks, John typically builds about thirty-six guitars. And do you know what’s really depressing? I’m pretty sure that every one of them sounds better than either of mine.