luthier
Builds stringed instruments
A luthier is a craftsperson who builds and repairs stringed instruments—guitars, violins, cellos, lutes.
The term comes from the French word for lute.
Luthiers combine woodworking skill with acoustic knowledge, shaping the instrument's body, neck, and components to achieve particular tonal qualities.
She took her violin to a luthier for restoration.
Shaping by cutting away
- sandingFriction-smoothing a surface
- joineryFitting wood pieces together
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- varnishLiquid that dries glossy
gluing · planing · chisel · veneer · lacquer · grain · finishing · shaping
Tone-amplifying wooden surface
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
- neckHead-body junction
- bodyPhysical structure, living thing
- soundholeOpening in acoustic instrument
bridge · nut · saddle · fretboard · fingerboard · pegbox · headstock · tailpiece
Learner bound to employer
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
workshop · atelier · restoration · repair · setup · custom · bespoke · commission
Bowed string instrument
- celloDeep-voiced bowed instrument
- violaMidrange bowed instrument
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
- mandolinPlucked eight-string lute descendant
ukulele · double bass · banjo · oud · bouzouki · balalaika · dulcimer · sitar
Neat; also a conifer
- rosewoodTropical cabinet timber
- mahoganyReddish-brown tropical lumber
- mapleSap-yielding hardwood tree
- ebonyDense dark tropical wood
walnut · cedar · koa · quartersawn · bookmatched
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- toneQuality of sound
- timbreSound's distinctive character
- sustainKeep something going continuously
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
overtones · projection · voicing · intonation · harmonics · response · warmth · brightness
Famed Cremonese luthier
carving
Shaping by cutting away
- sandingFriction-smoothing a surface
- joineryFitting wood pieces together
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
varnish · gluing · planing · chisel · veneer · lacquer · grain · finishing · shaping · bending
soundboard
Tone-amplifying wooden surface
soundhole · bridge · nut · saddle · fretboard · fingerboard · pegbox · headstock · tailpiece · rosette
apprentice
Learner bound to employer
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- traditionCustom passed through generations
artisanal · workshop · atelier · restoration · repair · setup · custom · bespoke · commission · guild
violin
Bowed string instrument
mandolin · ukulele · double bass · banjo · oud · bouzouki · balalaika · dulcimer · sitar · veena
spruce
Neat; also a conifer
ebony · walnut · cedar · koa · quartersawn · bookmatched
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
vibration · overtones · projection · voicing · intonation · harmonics · response · warmth · brightness · volume
Stradivari
Famed Cremonese luthier
- craftspeoplepotter, weaver, blacksmith, artisan, potters
- violinviolin, bowing, violin bow, strings, fingerboard
- artisan craftshandmade goods, fine jewelry, artisan crafts, handcrafted furniture, watchmaking
- artisanspotter, weaver, blacksmith, cobbler, jeweler
- craftsmenblacksmith, carpenter, cobbler, mason, weaver
- creativesartist, artists, painter, painters, illustrators
luthierguitarist
One who plays six strings
violinist · cellist · string player · musician · performer