Mechanics of selling your work - created 03-08-2009

Rasmussen, Marshal - 03/08/2009.12:29:39
Guest User

Could someone who has sold a instrument they had made explain the process to me? How do you determine if it is really market worthy, how did you establish a value, where did you present it for sale, did you offer any warranty or accept a return if it was not as expected to the buyer? Any insight into the ethics and mechanics of such a venture would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Marshall. Most of us start out selling in the "friend market" - we sell to people we know, not to strangers, and we sell our first instruments for two or three times the cost of materials. That way we can keep an eye on our early attempts as they age, our friends get a good price, and we have enough money for the next instrument or two.

I made two previously for family and just gave them as gifts. Unfortunately I do not have any friends or aqaintences that play so that was why I might need to go outside to generate some revenue to be able to continue building. I love to build things but especially now there just isn't free money to do it with.

I fully understand what you are asking and I follow the general concept that Deb has mentioned. I sell my guitars to fund the next project attempting to retrieve the cost of parts and materials and a little tiny itsy-bitsy token compensation for the time I spent thoroughly enjoying myself and leaning how to do better next time. Education is expensive. An instrument is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Your heart and sole may go into a guitar but this does not equate into a true monetary value simply because you bled sweat and endured painful blisters. If what you are building are desirable instruments from the perspective of your clients, they will be prepared to part with cash. As your instruments and skill improve, your clients will begin to better appreciate your work. Unfortunately, anyone can buy a decently made guitar for under $300. The clients that will appreciate your labor and the nuance of a hand made instrument are a small minority so don't let the masses bring you down. If you are gifted, you'll find your clients eventually or they will find you.

I think I will try to scrape up enough to build one guitar of the highest quality workmanship in can do and then see if some how I can get it "out there" and that hopefully some one will be interested in another for themselves. I will have to try to figure out the most appealing traits for the potential market( have to figure that out too) and then try to best fulfil the desire. How would I best get it exposed by selling it on consignment at a reputable local shop, or talking to someone who works there and send it out as like a loaner just so it gets seen and played and take the risk of it disappearing. The hardest part is when you are outside trying to find the hidden door to enter, once you do get in then you see all the doors clearly.

The only thing you do when you put an instrument on consignment or lend it out is guarantee it will come back damaged. You need to find some local jam sessions and start showing up with your best work.

I am a very active and vocal member of another forum (sorry Deb) that quite frequently has get-togthers and jam sessions. The forum is centered around a loyalty and enthusiam of an American guitar manufacturing company and there is a Guitar Mods and Repairs section within the forum which is where I live. At every one of these jams, I bring out my latest work and play it. Its shameless marketing but I never come out and blatantly offer the work for sale -- it would be inappropriate and rude. I just show off what I have. I have gained commissions by doing this. My day job as a tech gives me public exposure for my work and I can hang anything up that I want. You need to keep an element of humility in your approach when you begin and you need to be fully prepared to back up your work with service. At the shop, my guitars are simply there to promote my ability to repair instruments and are not actually officially for sale. If the right person comes in and is inspired by one of my instruments, "we can talk" and I have sold a number of instruments this way. They approach me and the transaction is totally under my control. With few exceptions, I do not build guitars to make a profit. I build guitars because its a wonderful adventure and I would hate to loose this joy by corrupting the adventure with money issues. Give this a lot of thought.

Consider taking on a part-time job as a tech -- two or three nights per week. Many shops do not have techs who possess advanced skills and there is a demand for people who take the luthery craft seriously.

Deb, I do not totally disagree with you on the subject of consignment, but it has worked for me. It can be a really good way to have your work assessed, by both an experienced dealer and the ideal target buyers. Despite the fact there is no financial risk to the store owner, most will not give up the space unless your particular instrument appeals to their clientele and they are confident your work will move along reasonably quick. The last thing they want is an instrument that sits. And gets dinged.

Years ago I put a couple of dulcimers on consignment. The store went out of business and sold them along with their other inventory. In my experience, Debbie is right.

Not just dings, they can get cracks, too. Imagine how I discovered that.

Definitely, the thing to do (I'm currently pursuing both ways) is to make an awesome guitar and perform with it. If you're a great player, you'll be mobbed by folks asking how your guitar sounds so good:)

Just nod and go along with them...

If you're not a great player, let someone who is use it. Preferably under your supervision; that way you'll be available to answer enquiries.

And stick to it. Selling your first instruments can take longer than making them. Be prepared for that, and don't lose heart or momentum.