Let’s say you’re a luthier currently working on a violin, mandolin or guitar.
You’ve got your shop, your bench, your tools.
You know what quality looks like — you can feel it in the grain of the wood before you even glue the top on.
You buy small quantities of tonewood from a supplier. You care about where it comes from. You don’t blink at paying more for better wood — because you know what it makes possible.
Same goes for tuners, bridges, endpins, and fingerboards. You get them from a luthier supply company you’ve trusted for years. But lately? They’ve been out of stock on things you need. Not urgent — you’ve got a few years’ worth of parts stored away — but still annoying.
And while you sand down an ebony fretboard, you hear it again on the radio: “Tariffs on Chinese imports are set to rise by 145%.”
You pause. Think about it. Maybe not today, maybe not next month — but somewhere down the line, this will affect what you pay. And what you can find.
So here’s the question:
What if there was a way to get ahead of that change ?
Not by buying in bulk or hoarding stock — but by knowing where else to look, and how to write better descriptions when you do make something unique.
That’s where I come in.
🤝 Who I Am
I’m Adam R Sweet. I’ve worked with instrument makers and musicians for over 20 years. I help people like you — who care about craft, quality, and tradition — use technology not to replace the work, but to support it.
You don’t have to become a tech wizard overnight.
You don’t have to learn every new tool that hits Product Hunt
.But you might want to know:
- How AI tools can help you find alternative suppliers before your current one runs dry
- Or how to write clearer listings when you sell rare instruments or custom builds online
- Or even how to track inventory without drowning in spreadsheets
None of this replaces what you do. It just gives you a little more room to breathe.
🔍 What Can AI Actually Do For You?
Let’s be clear: AI isn’t going to build your guitars for you.
But it can help in ways you might not expect:
✦ Smarter Sourcing
AI-powered research tools can scan global listings and supplier databases to find alternatives before you run into a dead end. If your usual supply house is low on rosewood, these tools can suggest vetted suppliers — and flag ones with questionable practices.
✦ Better Descriptions
Ever struggled to describe a vintage guitar’s tone woods or inlay work in a way that buyers really get ? AI tools like Jasper or Sudowrite can help you draft clean, compelling copy so people understand the value of what you're selling.
✦ Stay Ahead of Trends
Tariff news came through the radio — but what if you had a weekly summary of industry news delivered to your inbox? There are free tools that can track updates on tariffs, shipping delays, and material shortages — and send you a short report every Sunday morning.
All of this works with just a little time and direction.
🛠️ No Rush. Just Options.
You don’t have to change the way you work.
You’ve spent decades perfecting your process — and no blog post is going to change that overnight.
But if you're curious about tools that can help:
- Reduce the hassle of supplier searches
- Make listing your own instruments easier
- Keep you informed without having to hunt for it yourself
Then I’d love to share some of the tools I've tested myself — the good, the bad, and the “you probably don’t need it.”
Just drop me a message. I’ll send over a list of my favorite AI tools for small shops and luthiers, along with a few prompts I actually use every week
No fluff. Just what works.