Once I made fun of a friend with a degree in electrical engineering when I noticed he was reading the book “How Computers Work.” He replied in an effective defense that he was reading it to learn how people unfamiliar with computers thought about them and to improve his ability to describe technical details. I was reminded of that conversation when I read this article about Bay Area luthiers. It was frustrating for me to get through the analogies and reasons for why handmade instruments are better for professional musicians “who can perceive tiny differences in sound that hands-on construction can draw forth.” Tiny differences they are not and it’s usually not like buying a custom suit, but more like finding a perfect gown in a vintage shop. But overall the article does a great job of describing the importance of the craft of violin and guitar making to those who aren’t familiar with it.