Luthier (loo-ti-ar)

Jonathan Cooper at work - click to enlarge
Photo: Tim Greenway - Portland Press Herald

 A Luthier makes stringed instruments.   Mr. Cooper of Portland, Maine makes violins by hand, painstakingly creating fine instruments that sell for the price of an automobile.  It is time consuming, delicate work with wood that make fine music of many kinds.
 Tim Greenway, a photographer, was able to follow Mr. Cooper for a day of interesting work.
There was an old man in my hometown of Lebanon who tuned our piano, he also made violins, Mr. Lloyd was a fine craftsman, long gone now but not forgotten, a Luthier.

Shaping a bridge of maple - click to enlarge
Photo: Tim Greenway - Portland Press Herald

Finger Planes of brass and steel, tiny and sharp - click to enlarge
Photo: Tim Greenway - Portland Press Herald

Smoothing a violin top, the F Note (shape cut in) makes for
finer tone of the music. - click to enlarge
Photo: Tim Greenway - Portland Press Herald

A five string violin and a five string viola

in the shop for tune up work.

Photo: Tim Greenway Portland Press Herald