I live in New York City, one of the biggest cities in the world, and it would be nice to say hello to some luthiers, and chat about guitars, etc., but I can't seem to find any luthiers around. I used to know Juan Orozco, and spent many a pleasant day in his store in Manhattan in the seventies. Does anyone know of any luthiers in New York?

I think since the 70's, most luthiers were slowly priced-out of NYC. Or maybe all the spruce has been cut-up so they moved west I recall seeing a youtube video about a guy who made guitars somewhere in the outskirts of NYC, you may want to do a youtube search under guitarmaker or luthier. I can't remember his name. Manuel Velasquez worked in NYC at one point, did you know him back then?

Hi Peter -

You are probably right about luthiers being priced out of New York. It's getting worse all the time - rents are out of control, both commercial and residential. Several luthiers are in Brooklyn, but if you know New York, Brooklyn is roughly equivalent to Siberia. Which is why they can at least afford the rent.

Yes, I knew Manuel Velasquez quite well, and I was in his workshop often. It was right in midtown Manhattan, and where he was the rent now is probably twenty times what he was paying. I once brought my 1970 Manuel Contreras blanca that I'm now selling to show to him. When he saw and heard it his face lit up, though his own guitars were nothing to sneeze at. He was an outstanding luthier. I think he eventually moved to Puerto Rico.

Anyway, I wish you were here.