If you were entertaining thoughts of purchasing a fine handmade guitar from Ivon Schmukler, you had better start searching and be ready to open up your wallet. Schmukler—local guitar repairman, guitar maker and instructor—got a recent visit from a former student of his who bought a couple of Schmukler originals with the intent of reselling the pieces. Schmukler was pleased, but thought nothing further of it. Then he received a call from the former student with an offer. "He said, 'Give me your next 50. I want the next 50 guitars you make.' I told him, 'Sure, if I live that long.'"
The gentleman offered to pay retail for the guitars, which he plans to place in shops around the country. And they are not cheap. Schmukler says they retail from anywhere from $6,500 to $18,000. "I can't even afford to buy the guitars I make," he says. "The materials alone, like the Brazilian rosewood, can be up to $2,000. I've got wood tops that are air-dried a minimum of 20 years. I've got tops I use going back to 1932."
Schmukler began his odyssey in New York City in the 1960s, as one of the first CF Martin-approved licensed independent Martin Guitar repairmen. Next he made his way to Woodstock, where he spent time honing his craft and repairing guitars for some of the true legends in music: Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, John Sebastian, and Van Morrison, among others. The second guitar he ever made was for Rory Block, who still uses it to this day.
After a stint back in New York running the family jewelry repair business, Schmukler ended up in Western Massachusetts. In 1995, he helped found the Leeds Guitarmakers School in Northampton, enabling him to pass along the skills and secrets of the trade. "There are people I've taught all over the country. We've had over 140 students come through, and they've created over 200 student-built guitars," Schmukler says proudly. "People really sacrifice to do it. They save up their money and come here from all over."
Things have taken another turn for Schmukler recently—the building the school has operated in since the '90s was recently sold. So he took the opportunity to create a cozy but decked-out new workshop in the detached barn behind his historic home in Williamsburg. The two-story place is packed with vintage tools and countless pieces of old guitars. "It took a while to get this place together, and a lot of money, but it's about right," Schmukler says.
Over the years, Schmukler has refined his methodology and techniques. "It's only in the last six years that I've gotten a more focused handle in mastering this medium," he says. "I still make mistakes—sometimes new kinds of mistakes—but I feel like I'm a much better guitar maker."
With the recent change of location, Schmukler has voluntarily reduced his workload. He still builds his guitars, but primarily only does repairs and restorations by appointment for old customers, professional musicians, and friends and neighbors. His classes have decreased in volume and frequency as well. He now offers what he calls apprenticeships—intensive, twelve-week tutorials for the lucky few. Folks can contact Schmukler directly to inquire about enrolling. Just don't call him directly looking for a new axe for your collection. They're already spoken for—all 50 of them.
To contact Ivon Schmukler, call 413-582-0034 and leave a message.
