you misunderstand me. it is a business now (albeit a small one), people buy them and i make some profit and pay tax on it. - i am not a hobbyist any more thats just where it started about 8 years ago, its just not my main earner yet!
there is already many custom builders in the Uk all competing for a very small market... if i went full time it would be far too much stress for very little money. i would also have to limit the stuff i do now to more standard specifications to allow me to keep production going.
As it is i can have fun, experiment and put my all into every guitar and project without worrying about it paying the bills or when i am going to eat next.
Even luthiers that charge high prices are very rarely rich - people see the high price tag and overestimate the profit involved.
it also means i have more variety in my life, which is important to me - I enjoy working at a school and would probably become a hermit if i spent all week in a workshop with little human interaction.
