New England Luthiers  

The New England Luthiers is an association of professionals and amateurs brought together by a common love of making stringed instruments.  Our goal is to share our knowledge and techniques with anyone interested in expanding their understanding of instrument making.  We provide open exchange of information and ideas geared toward the furthering of the craft, and a chance to spend time with others who have the same passion.  Meetings are casual and there are no dues.

If you have been fortunate enough to attend an Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A) or Guild of American Luthiers meeting, you know how rewarding and energizing the experience is. The New England Luthiers aim to keep that spirit alive between these national events.  Past meetings have included visiting members’ workshops, demonstrations of building techniques by professional and amateur luthiers, ukulele building and playing competition (our own Uke-a-palooza), and a listening session with Grammy award winner Ed Gerhard.

Join us in whenever you can.  Our doors are always open to new members.

• NEL May Meeting
  Sunday 17 May, 2009
  1:00PM - 4:00PM

   

  Steve Marcq's Shop
  44 Birchwood Drive
  Allenstown, NH 03275
  (603) 485-1166

  The New Hampshire Luthiers Guild, invites you to attend its meeting on Sunday, May 17 from 1-4 PM

• Having finished his first guitar, Steve is gearing up to make more and is designing and making some very interesting and well-thought-out jigs. He has a knack for this. You will learn a lot about making better, simpler jigs.

  In addition, the restoration of the rare 1930 Martin 12-fret 000 shown at the January meeting is now complete. The guitar will be available to examine and play at the meeting. During the restoration, I visited master-repairer Pat DiBurro numerous times and took over 1000 photographs of him doing all stages of the restoration process and so have learned a wealth of information about advanced repair techniques.

  At the meeting, we will have a listening session of the Martin, one of my 000’s, Steve’s jumbo, and any other guitar you would care to bring. I am practicing some soft finger-picking to play on the various guitars, Steve is practicing a faster, louder, livelier piece. So everyone will get to hear the different type sounds made by the various guitars with at least two styles of playing. If you would like to practice a piece to play on 3 or more guitars, please do so. Just remember - no picks on the 000s -fingers only!

  Pat was very excited by the tone of the 1930 Martin, feeling it was one of the best he has heard in a long time.

  Join us in the our next meeting. Meetings are open to everyone.

  Driving directions

• ASIA’s Symposium 10-14 June, 2009

   

  The 2009 Symposium will be held at East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. This location will work well with their spacious campus and ESU’s desire to work with us in producing a well run, memorable and economical event. ESU is located near scenic and interesting regional attractions. One of the most visited of these is the Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth. This is certainly one of the treasures in lutherie and will be visited by many attending Symposium ’09.

• The Guild of American Luthiers Nineteenth National Convention/Exhibition June 11-15, 2008
  

   

  View the pictures this this year's convention.

• Montreal Guitar Show

   

  Many of the New England Luthiers exhibit at the Montreal Guitar Show. Join us July 3-5, 2009.

• Our January Meeting

   

  
  
  

Our goal is to share our knowledge and techniques with anyone interested in expanding their understanding of instrument making