The Guild of American Luthiers is a non-profit educational membership organization whose purpose is to facilitate learning about the art,craft and science of lutherie. Started by a group of budding craftsmen in 1972, the Guild has grown to become a driving force in the current "Golden Age" of lutherie through it's constant committment to a free exchange of information among luthiers of all areas and experience levels. Makers and repairers of guitars of all types, mandolins, violins, lutes, and other stringed instruments have found in the Guild's publications and meetings a place to share their expertise and developing techniques, and to learn from the experience, successes, and trials of others in the field. In over 30 years, we have published over 100 journals and currently 8 books compiled from over half of these. Thousands of members and hundreds of authors and presenters, including many of the world's foremost luthiers, have supported the Guild's free exchange of information and created a culture of openness that has helped advance the craft to the incredibly high level we see today. The Guild (GAL) is supported solely through membership dues, sales of its publications, and donations (donations are tax deductible). Our membership in 2007 included over 3,600 individuals in the US and 40 different countries.

Membership

Guild membership is open to all. Membership dues ($48 in the US, $58 elsewhere) are paid on a calendar year basis. The main benefit of membership is one year of our quarterly journal American Lutherie, as well as discounts on publications, advertising, and convention registration; and a membership certificate.

American Lutherie

Our respected quarterly journal American Lutherie contains interviews, news, pictures, adventures, research, opinion, and how-to information, all of specific interest to the maker and repairer of string instruments. Sharing lutherie information is what the Guild is all about, and American Lutherie is our primary vehicle for accomplishing that goal. Each 76 page issue is packed full of information, photos, and diagrams. Articles come from two sources: those produced by the GAL staff with the cooperation of our members (such as interviews and presentations from our conventions), and voluntary submissions by the Guild members themselves. We are interested in publishing any opinion, theory, method, or design that is backed by experience. Our volunteer authors are motivated by a desire to benefit others with what they have learned, and support the give-and-take system employed by the Guild. GAL members find the techniques, practices, and methods of other builders to be of value in their own workshops, whether in their own specific fields or not. This broad base, and wide outlook, and open attitude is basic to the success of the Guild. It seems to be working. Never has the American lutherie scene been stronger, deeper, more productive, or more highly respected. We are proud to have been a part of this historic development. American Lutherie is currently in it's 24th year of publication (previous to this we publish in a different format), with five volumes of the Big Red Book of American Lutherie in print that cover the first 60 issues.