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Private member DiscussionJob Postings

Looking for CAD expert

Hello all! My name is Jake and I run a repair shop out of my NYC apartment. I am looking for someone who's experienced in CAD to help me with a project. I am working on a 5 string headless bass build for a customer. The neck & body are to be CNCed by a local mill here in Brooklyn, NY. I have a 2D design (PDF and CRD), but I need help making some modifications, as well as translating it to 3D. Pay is negotiable. I will basically pay whate…

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Experienced Builder and Red Wing Grad

Howdy folks, I'm a 2026 graduate of the two year guitar program at Red Wing (Minnesota State College Southeast). Between my two years at Red Wing I worked at Collings Guitars in Austin, TX for two years in the acoustic neck department, shaping and finish sanding ~2000 necks, radiusing and gluing ~750 fingerboards, and pressing ~100 sets of frets. I also spent a couple months in the finishing department level sanding and pore filling ~300…

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Lucas does great work.
Private member DiscussionJob Postings

Full-time luthier — Custom Shop & Production

Rask Guitars — Utah (relocation required) Rask Guitars is a Utah-based custom shop dedicated to building exceptional instruments — primarily high-end acoustics, alongside electric guitars and prototypes. We operate with a small, focused team where craftsmanship isn't just a standard, it's the entire point. We're growing, and we're looking for a skilled, experienced luthier who's ready to plug into a real production environment, contribute…

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Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Advertising and starting from 0

Hello all! I've moved across country after having a reasonable success loothing back in the USA, but upon arriving in my current location in Europe, i've had to diversify my skill set and take what i could to stay in the country. Anyway, its been 2 years since then and i'm slowly kicking up dust with repairs again, that i'm primarily supplementing with fix and flip guitars. But, i've hardly had any customers since arriving, outsi…

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Ian Davlin
Are there music shops in the area that you might connect with. It's always a good source of work until you can get on your feet. Always tough to give up the percentage, but it's a place to start.
Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Full Service vs. Selective

I’m curious to hear from everyone in the trenches, how they manage repairs they really don’t want to do. At this point I am offering customer work again to a small group of people who know me and have worked with me over the years. I’ve had a few people email that I don’t know, being a little pushy wanting to know price and turnaround time because “I need this by the xxth of the month”. I’ve simply offered them a referral to another sh…

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Private member
i prob turn about 70% of repairs down but i tell them sorry the building business is my priority & truthfully id rather leave les paul breaks , bridge reglue , pickup swap etc to people that do it mor…
Ian Davlin DiscussionJob Postings

F Bass Is Hiring

We at F Bass Inc have been crafting boutique basses out of Hamilton, ON since 1978 and we’re looking for a Master Builder to join our small but mighty team. Applicants must have a sharp eye, strong organizational skills and the ability to problem solve in creative ways. Someone who genuinely loves crafting custom instruments and appreciates the little details even more so. If you pride yourself on precision and creativity and get a kick…

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Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Determining Cost of Parts...

Hey everyone, Recently I've been struggling to determine how much to charge the customer in regards to parts for a repair. The best example of this I can give would be guitar strings. Occasionally I'll buy strings on sale, other times when they're not on sale, and since cost of strings often varies, I may buy strings at the start of the year, and at the end of the year the price will be different. So the question is, what variables do I…

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Private member
I would recommend getting an account with a few wholesalers. That’s trickier if you’re a sole proprietor and don’t have the FEIN and reseller permit but that’s all obtainable. I also recommend not bei…
Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Looking for Dan Armstrong plexiglass reissue brass saddles

my customer bought this used with the original saddles replaced by nylon saddles and would like to restore to the original brass saddle inserts. anybody got a set or an address where I can get them (made)? thx Age

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Private member
Ended up getting steel bearing rollers, diameter 4mm. Very precise, hard and perfect fit!
Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Call for Luthiers and Small Makers

Call for Luthiers and Small Makers Daymaker Music – Bainbridge Island, WA Daymaker Music is opening this November in downtown Winslow in Bainbridge Island, and we’re inviting makers and luthiers who value craft, sustainability, and community to help us shape what customers see and hear when they walk in. We’re looking for small makers, independent luthiers, and custom builders who want their instruments on a dedicated wall of our new retai…

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Private member
Thanks for the callout. I'll reach out soon to learn more. Best, Chris