By Marin Nourry-Belforti
Belforti Instruments Website
Belforti Instruments Instagram
I started my journey in Lutherie like many others: with a passion. Mine was not solely for music and bass guitars (the superior guitar form) but extended to engineering, arts, and entrepreneurship. To be completely transparent, it was not my first passion, nor even my first career. I started working early in life after a troubled academic experience. Around 23, I faced a choice: continue in my previous field, where I had significant accomplishments, or try something entirely new.
Being the stubborn Frenchman that I am, I decided to build a bass guitar from scratch, without any experience. Needless to say, this first build, on top of being overly complicated, was a massive challenge that I tackled with the energy and naiveté of a young, passionate man. Most people, when confronted with such difficulties, might rely on friends or family to reason them out of pursuing such a wild, and let’s be honest, ridiculous dream of making a living out of bass building. But my relatives know me too well. Instead of discouraging me, they saw potential. They believed I could actually be good at it. This support was crucial, and it’s an important point I’ll revisit later.
One bass led to another, each one as bad as the first, until my third, which—while it had its merits—was still far from functional. After three years of what I thought was self-teaching—but in reality, were wasted opportunities and frustrating experiences—I realized this was indeed what I wanted to pursue professionally. However, to progress in the right direction, I needed proper training. This led me to enroll at a Luthier School famous for its videos and guitar build-offs, as this school seemed like the best option at the time. To give some context, lutherie education in France is either nonexistent or subpar, so for me, studying abroad was the only viable option. It took me and my fellow students just one day to realize that this school was not what we had hoped for. It felt more like a “rent-a-workshop” experience, with well-meaning but limited instructors and no structured academic curriculum.
After three months of building slightly better but still imperfect instruments, I returned home without the necessary experience or confidence to start my own business. Some might launch a venture earlier, or with less training, but in my opinion, this industry has enough passionate garage luthiers—it needs more methodical and well-trained professionals. Untrained individuals often have a negative impact, as they deter musicians from trusting luthiers with their instruments.
During my time at school, a close friend told me about Galloup. He regretted investing all his money in one school, wishing he had chosen Galloup instead. When I saw the Galloup School’s detailed program, I couldn’t believe my eyes—it was precisely the path I was looking for. A week after returning home, I enrolled. However, this wasn’t easy; mid-COVID, the U.S. was difficult to get into, even temporarily. But with the school’s help, I secured my spot in October 2022.
When I first set foot in the Galloup School of Lutherie, I experienced a couple of culture shocks. First, there was the U.S.—the land of the free, yes, but also, let’s be honest, the land of questionable food options. (Did I mention I’m French?). Jokes aside, I was warmly welcomed by everyone. One thing I can say with certainty is that people from every continent and background are embraced here—no one is judged or made to feel out of place because of their origins.
The Galloup Experience
Galloup School is more than just a school—it’s an immersive experience in fine guitar making. Under the tutelage of seasoned professionals, I was exposed to a level of craftsmanship and precision that reshaped my approach to lutherie. The program was rigorous–filled with problem-solving challenges that forced me to think critically and refine my skills at every turn. I chose a mixed path of electric and acoustic building, which surprised me since I had never felt particularly drawn to acoustics. But Galloup has a way of pushing students out of their comfort zones, encouraging a broader skill set regardless of initial inclinations.
My first three terms were transformative. From a professional standpoint, I unlearned bad habits, refined techniques, and developed a structured workflow. Personally, my time in the U.S. was the most fulfilling period of my life. One can critique the country, but there’s no denying its unique energy and opportunities. Wanting to extend my stay, I joined the Advanced Fingerstyle Graduate Class, which I loved. After that, I convinced the school to let me work on a personal prototype—a first at the time—resulting in the very first Belforti Bass, Serial N°1. It was my most ambitious build yet.
Galloup taught me invaluable skills: CNC machining, sharpening, acoustic voicing, lutherie fundamentals, setups, PLEK basics, and much more. To this day, 70% of my daily work ties directly back to lessons learned at Galloup. One of the most impactful aspects of the training was the emphasis on structural and tonal balance. We weren’t just assembling instruments; we were crafting voices. Understanding wood selection, bracing techniques, and resonance allowed me to shape sound as much as structure.
I left not just with technical knowledge, but with confidence and direction. The experience laid a strong foundation for me to refine my designs and develop my own philosophy of instrument building. Applying what I learned, I established Belforti Instruments, where I create handcrafted guitars and basses blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
The discipline and attention to detail instilled in me at Galloup became the backbone of my work. I learned to approach challenges methodically, stay organized, and be professional. Galloup’s impact extended beyond lutherie. Upon returning to France, I needed financing to launch my ambitious project. Many graduates seek jobs, open small shops, or join production lines. I aimed higher—to establish myself as a respected boutique builder producing 50 instruments annually, starting from nothing.
Thanks to Galloup’s credibility and my determination, the first bank I approached backed me. This opened doors: I secured a workspace in a special artisan hub and set up a 1400-square-foot (130m²) shop. Many of the improvements I made to my workflow stem from my Galloup experience, and I sincerely attribute a significant part of my early success to the teachers and friends I met there.
Lessons That Last a Lifetime
The most valuable lessons weren’t just about tools and techniques—they were about mindset. At Galloup, I learned to be patient, to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and to trust the process. These lessons have been crucial in navigating the realities of running my own shop and developing a brand known for quality.
Now, I’m going to be a bit more direct:
Throughout my time at Galloup, I saw many students come and go, followed friends as they pursued their careers, and observed what both the best and the worst students were able to accomplish on their own. The reality is simple: the school won’t make you the best unless you are willing to give your best—both inside and outside of its walls.
To put it bluntly, slapping a Galloup sticker on a student won’t magically turn them into the next Tyler Robbins. When I joined Galloup, I had a clear understanding of what I needed to learn to be fully independent when I returned home. This mindset drove me to ask questions, take action, and sometimes push past the usual boundaries—both mine and the school’s—to get the answers I needed.
If you think attending Galloup without putting in extra effort will make you a world-class luthier, you’re mistaken. I met students who were naturally gifted but weren’t the hardest workers, and as a result, they didn’t reach their full potential. On the other hand, I saw others who struggled but persevered, and their mindset allowed them to secure jobs and build successful careers in the industry, even if they weren’t the top students in the class. None of this is groundbreaking wisdom. And that’s precisely the point.
Galloup School gave me the stepping stones to build a career in Lutherie. It wasn’t just an education—it was a transformation. And for that, I will always be grateful. For that, and the patience they showed dealing with my absolutely devastating sense of humor, and my world-famous stubbornness.