Official Luthiers Forum!

Before I say anything else, I would like to first state that most of the questions I asked in the past have been answered with generosity by many experienced builders and some even went the extra mile(thanks Todd.S)

I have been on this forum for couple years now...but still on my first guitar so I'm still a very newbie.
To be honest, threads like this and the other one that talks about "experienced builders" do intimidate me. WHY? because I have asked many questions that are already covered in archives and wonder if my current questions or future questions are worthy. Also, for the last few days I have been limiting my questions and just having to suffice with answers I find in the archives due to subconsious filter and guilt I created for my self after reading this kind of thread.

As a newbie,

I sometimes ask questions to get an update. If the last time someone talked about...say "what brand of heating blanket?" a year ago, I would like to get the most up to date experiences and opinions before spending $140 even if I can get 5 pages of response via search function.

I somtimes ask questions to get a live answer ... and to fellowship. I feel that with the archive that we have, all my questions that I had or have in the future is pretty much already covered. Should I not ask any questions that it's probably in archive?

Those of us who visit acousticguitarforum.com probably know that "adi vs..", "brazillina vs...",etc is part of what makes the newbie feel welcome altough it gets asked once a week.

I hope I didn't offend anyone. It's Just my honest thoughts...

Sky...In the interest of allaying your concern about asking questions, let me suggest a way that could solve your dilemma with the following example.

"I'm interested in getting information on heating blankets and how to use my existing router speed controller to control temperature. I searched the archives and found that the controllers offered for sale with the devices from XXX have the following electrical requirements whereas my controller differs in this way... Can someone help me make sense out of that information and help me to decide on whether I can use mine or need to purchase that specific controller."

In this example, you indicate that you've already done some legwork and need further assistance. It should relieve your concern as well as indicate to all that you are more serious then the average person, and respectful of others' time. The last thing we want to do is have folks become reluctant to ask questions and not think their issues are "worthy".

I realize that there will be some personalities out there that will always find the forum intimidating and resist asking a question on an open forum. To those, I would suggest PMing me or anyone else with whom you feel comfortable. In my case, I'll do anything I can to help.

Good luck on your build...we're all looking forward to seeing it when completed!

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Sky
I was apprehensive that, perhaps this subject might make some people feel a little sheepish about posting - I never wanted to make anyone feel this way...
This is just a sideshoot of the other discussion.. and a food for thought thread - rather than a set in stone, deliberation!
First off... the amount of these threads that could be researched better are relatively few.. and most here are extremely respectful of others here on the OLF... and its rare that we see outright disrespect to another member...

So these questions are more food for thought....IMO
it aint broke and it wont be fixed, so I imagine business as usual is fine, incl the nature and amount of so called novice posts that popped up before this discussion,,,
I asked what I did and said what I said, because for me what Todds discussion provoked inside was the realization that I am far more capable than I give myself credit -
Im no novice woodworker, Im no novice with wood either... however I am a novice when it comes to "fine woodworking" having been mainly a wood butcher most of my adult life(construction and some cabinet making),,, and even more a novice when it comes to specialty woodworking applications like luthiery...
Im confident I can forge on in this craft with less deliberation and more assurance, and not have to have my hand held every step of the way!
This isnt to say I wont have questions, or ask about the kinds of operations that a seasoned luthier would have performed countless times throughout thier career...
I suppose that elementary like most things in life is all relative..
Please dont stop posting on account of this thread or any other?
It wasnt the intention of these discussions Im sure....
Cheers
Charlie

I find this a very interesting thread because I have spent my entire adult life in the education business. And I have taken up guitar building over the last few years. And used the forum for the last couple years. I must admit that some of my early posts sound a little dumb to me now. If you don't want to answer what you think is a poor post you don't have to. I have received alot of help and information and I have got it fast so that I could move on to the next set of questions in the process. As an educator I think this type of forum is wonderful because it allows you to get input from many people that can show several ways to do something or solve a problem. I am still trying to evolve my process that feels comfortable for me giving my skill level and tools I have. I enjoy answering posts that I think I can offer helpful information. Thought I am new at Guitar making I have been doing woodworking for thirty years, have an advanced Art degree, sold woodworking machinery for ten years-Inca, Kity, Mini-Max, and taught for thirty plus years. I am not trying to lay out my resume but showing that all of use have alot that we bring to the table. Forums are a way to help people and get help. My two cents -again if you think a post is not worth answering don't answer it. Bill the Greenman

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Mistakes are mandatory-learning from them is optional. http://www.opensourceluthiersupply.com