History
The first American luthier’s organization was a national group, the Guild of American Luthiers (G.A.L,), founded in 1972. According to luthier Ervin Somogyi, “it included makers of guitars of all types, mandolins, ukuleles, lutes and other early instruments, harps, dulcimers, oddball experimental instruments, harpsichords, balalaikas, etc., and anybody else (except violin makers, who had long ago formed their own societies).” In 1986, a second group, the Association of String Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.), was created. Both groups presented biannual national conventions.
In 1992, Somogyi, along with Marc Silber, Steve Newberry, Brian Burns, and Pat Smith, co-founded the first regional American luthiers’ organization. “N.C.A.L. was created to fill the time gap between West Coast lutherie conventions. The G.A.L. had created lots of aficionados who could and would do better as part of a local group that met often, than by working alone in their garages and basements and going to a convention every two years.”
The first name was BASSIC—the Bay Area Society of Stringed Instrument Crafters. Somogyi served as the first President. NCAL held meetings every other month where members could listen to presenters as well as show the instruments they’d built, as well as network with other builders. “Meetings were rotated to anyone’s shop who was willing to host the next meeting,” Somogyi recalls. “We roamed the region meeting-wise, from Santa Cruz to Healdsburg. This is a span that represents a three-hour-long car ride.” After BASSIC grew beyond the Bay Area into genuinely regional organization the name was changed to the Northern California Association of Luthiers.
NCAL is 32+ years old at present and is still going strong. During the worst years of the pandemic, the group met virtually, but now that the situation has improved meetings are once again being held in person across the Northern California region, promoting information-sharing, networking, and fellowship among luthiers.
In 1992, Somogyi, along with Marc Silber, Steve Newberry, Brian Burns, and Pat Smith, co-founded the first regional American luthiers’ organization. “N.C.A.L. was created to fill the time gap between West Coast lutherie conventions. The G.A.L. had created lots of aficionados who could and would do better as part of a local group that met often, than by working alone in their garages and basements and going to a convention every two years.”
The first name was BASSIC—the Bay Area Society of Stringed Instrument Crafters. Somogyi served as the first President. NCAL held meetings every other month where members could listen to presenters as well as show the instruments they’d built, as well as network with other builders. “Meetings were rotated to anyone’s shop who was willing to host the next meeting,” Somogyi recalls. “We roamed the region meeting-wise, from Santa Cruz to Healdsburg. This is a span that represents a three-hour-long car ride.” After BASSIC grew beyond the Bay Area into genuinely regional organization the name was changed to the Northern California Association of Luthiers.
NCAL is 32+ years old at present and is still going strong. During the worst years of the pandemic, the group met virtually, but now that the situation has improved meetings are once again being held in person across the Northern California region, promoting information-sharing, networking, and fellowship among luthiers.
Thanks to Ervin Somogyi for the information in this summary. For more about the history of American lutherie organizations visit https://esomogyi.com/articles/the-g-a-l-healsdburg-n-c-a-l-and-me-1-2/
