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Thought I'd let you guys know, I've been involved in a small accident.

Crossing the road in London last Friday morning, a motorcycle messenger jumped the lights and hit me and a girl. She was the worst injured with head wounds and leg injuries, the bike only caught me a glancing blow but I'm afraid that my injuries will have a large impact on me. I've just come home after three days in East Grinstead Hospital, the UK centre of excellence in plastic surgery, I had to have plastic reconstructive surgery on my left hand which got tangled in the bike chain, I ended up losing the top joint on my three middle fingers, plus a bit of repair work on the thumb, though that will fully recover, unless I've got a few salamander genes though my fingers won't grow back.

So, my guitar and lute playing days are over. I'm not sure about building, we'll have to wait and see, though as I build so I can play, I may not have the same incentive. I may just concentrate on my historical instrument restoration work. Maybe I'll become a lap slide player!

Good job I'm the philosophical kind, and don't get all depressed about things like this, I've had 45 years playing guitar, maybe time for something else, lap slide and hurdy gurdy. Stuff happens, move on.

But, I'm afrraid that you won't be hearing any more of me playing.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Be thankful it happened there. Here, it would likely mean financial hardship as well. Get well soon!

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Colin, that's terrible news for all of us. I'm incredibly sad to hear that you won't be able to play anymore. I always enjoyed the recordings you would post.

Oh, Colin! I'm sorry to hear this! Somehow, that just sounds inadequate for where you are left by this accident. We will miss your playing, as it has been and is a treat to us all to hear your skills in that area. I certainly hope you heal rapidly, and continue to build or repair, or restore, as you desire. You will be in our thoughts.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I am very sad to hear this...just terrible. I, too, will miss your musical postings. I hope you regain most or all of your function. A very dear friend lost the end of a finger (left hand) when a cabinet he was carrying fell and snipped off the relevant bit. After surgery, he recovered sufficiently to play his bass, and then he learned a whole raft of new instruments.

I hope you can find a satisfying way to express your creativity. Best wishes.

Colin that is horrible news!
I am so sorry to hear about your accident, glad that you can live to tell about it
and I am inspired by your optimistic view.

Best to you and a fast recovery.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune, however a positive attitude in such situations often helps if only with the emotional side. I do hope the young lady recovers also.

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Regards Philip

That's terrible, terrible news Colin. Best wishes for your recovery.

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

Colin, I'm so sorry to hear your news and can only admire your attitude. My first reaction is 'why does this sort of have to happen to someone like you?' I'm sure that in your place I would feel it was the end of my world.
Best wishes,
Dave;

Colin, Colin, Colin
keep yer spirits up man.
Geordie

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some tunes on acoustic and guitar synth.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGeordieAdams
http://www.myspace.com/geordieadams

Colin,

That's terrible news. I wish you the best in the future. I am happy to see, and really appreciate your attitude towards this terrible incident; very impressive. I am sure that you will be able to overcome and adapt to this life changing event. I imagine there are several inventive ways to keep doing what you love. Good luck to you in the future.

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Brad Tucker

So sorry to hear this, Colin.

I guess one could say that you got lucky, after all you didn’t get head injuries like that girl, and so on, but I can’t help thinking: Man! What a sad outcome of such a freak accident. Your fingers! This really makes me sad.

I’m glad to hear you seem to be taking it all in your stride, but then we all know you as a true gentleman.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Don't be a stranger.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Colin.............I'm so sorry that has happened to you. I'm amazed by your optimism and my guess is that you will find someway to make music (and I do hope you do as you are very gifted) as well as to make instruments of some sort.

Heal well Colin. Chin up.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Aw man, I'm Horrified!!!

your attitude is incredible.

I dunno what to say, but my prayers are with you.

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Colin my friend Martin's comment really hit home with me - you are one courageous guy and even as terrible as this is your outlook is truly inspiring. After hearing how positive you are I have no doubt that we will be hearing you play beautiful music again.

Get better and know that you are very much in all of our hearts.

Man, I am very saddened to hear this Colin. You are such a fine player and builder.
Your attitude is amazing and that will help you recover. Great idea to be thinking of lap slide playing !!
I hope you and your friend recover quickly. I'm so sorry this happened to a fine person such as yourself Colin.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Colin;
That's no small accident!
Any action that shapes your future different than you invisioned is
not small.
I hope you keep your attitute the same in the future.

How is the young lady?

MIke

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Mike Collins

Colin,

I'm very sorry to hear about your accident! I've always enjoyed your insights and experiences associated with your guitar building and especially, not surprisingly, the recordings you've sent me of your playing and your instruments.

You're a rarity as a guitar maker - with your balance of skill, understanding, elegance, perfectionism, adventurousness and as keen as an ear you have as and a perfect sense of aesthetics. I really admire that you've kept true to the spirit of the "amateur" (and I use this word solely in its strictest definition as a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons. ). Your wife is blessed with her violin and your teacher with the guitar you made him - as you are with the many you have for yourself and as we all are for your recordings, insights, pictures, help and ideas (and certainly friendship).

Surely it must be disheartening to think your playing days may be over - and to be unsure about your future building. But if I know one thing about you, it is that you're full of talent and full of love for music. You've given a lot to this community and to me personally, probably often without realizing it. But one of the greatest things about having the kind of talent you do, is that it is as mental as it is physical and I know for a fact you'll not be able to let any physical impairment keep your talents from manifesting in the real world, in one way or another.

You've positively affected your students, your family, your wife and your friends. You've helped preserve, restore, study and document important historic instruments. You've given others great advice when sorely needed. You've done important work in important times (after the tragic tsunami, for instance). Most importantly, you continue to do these things.

You have a million things to feel good about and I'm positive that you know that, or you wouldn't have shown so much resolve in what you wrote here.

Keep in frequent touch and please let me know if I can do anything helpful. I'm looking forward to all your future insights and contributions.

Joshua

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

colin,

such sad news - but like the others have said, you are handling it with such grace. may that continue, and may your healing be quickened by your positive outlook.

as to the future, do take up the slide. also continue building and advising on the forum. i always enjoy your posts, your love for sitka;) , your true love for mahogany, and the wisdom that you share.

phil

Colin, this is indeed very sad news and I am so sorry to hear it.
I hope you'll be able to continue to do something with the instrument, as I know you really enjoy it, it shows. Slide, might be just the thing.
I have a daughter who was also was hit by a motorcycle last week in Bandung Indonesia and has a lot of damage to her mouth. The group she was with was able to get her very good dental care ( a real miracle )and she seems to be recovering well we're told, but what do I know I'm thousands of miles away .
Take care Colin and please keep us posted on you recovery.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Colin,

It is pretty hard to follow Joshua. I know from this forum that he and you have a good relationship beyond this forum. But man "what he said"!!! Earlier this year I think you will recall that I ran my hand trough my re-saw. I was fortunate in that it was my right hand (as funny as that sounds!) and that the digit I lost they re-attached. My hand will never be the same but I agree and live by the crede that Joshua stated, your mind is really where your power is. There are people that do seemingly incredible things when measured by the rest of us. So my hopes are that you stay strong and resolve to play music again, lap steel is fine and cool but hey, don't count out your guitar playing yet. I share the same feelings as all other here, this is a real downer and it hits real close to home for me , but mostly Colin I am REALLY pulling for you. You will be in my thoughts a lot for the next while and I sure hope things work out better than you expect!

Shane

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Canada

That really sucks big time.

You have a lot of people supporting you-look how many posted their best wishes in such a short period of time. You even got Joshua out of the woodwork! (Hi Joshua)

Back when I was 16, I was facing a lifetime of quadriplegia. A good attitude makes a world of difference. Keep it up.

Looks like you'll have to pick up Gypsy Jazz. Apparently you have to be missing a couple of left hand fingers in order to play just like Django.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Colin,
so sorry to hear about this tragedy!! I'm praying for recovery!

Best regards,

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Like all the others here, I am saddened deeply to hear of such tragic events happening to one of our own .... it makes us all realize that some days we are simply lucky to be able to do what we love and cherish. My thoughts are with you my friend ... be well ...

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

That's truly brutal. All the best with your recovery and your adjustment.