Luthier's Shop

EDITOR'S NOTE: Update 7.28.2009 confirms the structure is also tornado-proof.

For the past two years — as I've transitioned from civilian life into full-time lutherie — I've shared a shop with my dad in the barn at Toone's Farm. Together we've built a great space, fully outfitted with climate control and power machines.

He's established a fine business researching and reproducing early American camp furnishings for private collectors and museums, including Mt. Vernon and the Smithsonian. From time to time I've helped him, but I'm far too busy with instruments at this point.

Time for a shop of my own.

A space dedicated to lutherie. Deliberately cozy, with all tools close at hand. Isolated and inspiring, backed up against nature. Lit by natural light. Walking distance from home.

I picked a site at the base of a mature walnut tree. The walnut provides shade during the summer months, except in the late afternoon, so the shop remains cool. A small creek flows a few feet away after it rains heavily. The building's primary windows face north to maximize even light — artist's light — during working hours. Windows in all walls for ventilation and illumination. I'm applying lessons learned from studying early American architecture archetypes.

I paid $2,200 cash (delivery included) for the structure, built by Amish carpenters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jake at J&L Crafts in Columbus, New Jersey, is their local representative, and he was fair and honest.

The quality of the building is exceptional. Thoughtful attention to detail and highly intelligent choices throughout, including premium lumber (12" centers), paint and 25-year shingles. Trust my word when I tell you I helped build a $4.5 million "weekend getaway" for the owner of the New York Times that was not nearly as well constructed.

No building permit required, as the square footage is 96. A smart person, seeking to shrug could easily outfit it with a wood stove and simply disappear from public record. Use a bicycle for transportation. Watch the financial idiocy burn itself out from a safe distance.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Have an opinion, Rick?

The photos below show progress over the past two weeks. The creek bed was filled with debris, as it had been used as a dump for some decades. Cleanup, step one. Also, the site was on a significant slope, which required substantial leveling.

Tricia (thank you) and I did all the work ourselves using a 100 year old wheelbarrow borrowed from Dad. Do not know how much total weight the old machine — and our backs — hauled, but 10 tons of 3/4" gravel form the foundation bed alone, not including dirt removal or rocks collected from the creek bed.

A very satisfying process to earn and own this experience.

Comments

[Alex]

Congratulations on the new shop. It looks like a nice place to work and think. I hope it provides inspiring settings for future instrument making.

[Rick Toone]

Thanks, Alex. It will allow me to build much faster and more efficiently. I'm so excited.

(human blur)

[05Ric]

Brilliant!