Official Luthiers Forum!

We haven't done something like this in a while, and although it is clearly to help one of our own I feel it also helps us all. All year long, but especially at this time of year, I feel a strong sense and need for "community". It is with this in mind that I propose we do something special, for a specific family but again, really for us all.

John Mayes is a pretty young guy, but as guitar makers go many of us "old guys" will never get to where he is already. And without the help and input that he has lent to us over the years we would have a much longer road to travel. Recently John has had some medical issues that resulted in he and his family being saddled with a lot of expenses. I have watched him selling his wood and other effects to cover some of these costs, the same wood and effects that his talent could convert into beautiful instruments which would raise the souls of many others. So here is what I am going to do. I have put together a package that would pretty much be a complete very fine guitar, basically an unserviced kit. It includes the following:

1 - Mastergrade Lutz Spruce Guitar Top Set
1 - Indian Laurel (Terminalia sp) Back and Side Set
1 - Indian Ebony Finger Board Blank (VERY BLACK)
1 - Indian Ebony Bridge Blank
1 - African Ebony Headstock Veneer
1 - Honduras Mahogany neck blank (enough for a stacked heal neck style)
6" Lutz Spruce Bracewood
4 - small figured Bubinga pieces for rosette/alternate headplate veneer etc.
1 - set of neck bolts and inserts
1 - set of slotted ebony bridge pins
1 - ebony end pin
2 - each spruce and mahogany unkerfed linings
4 - EIR/maple bindings
2 - b/w/b purfs to line the rosette
1 - single action 3/16" truss rod
1 - Gotoh SG301, all gold 18:1 Tuners
1 - set of medium gauge strings - in bulk packaging
1 - each bone nut and saddle
5' fret wire, you choose, 18% nickel, SS or gold EVO

The total value of this package is upwards of $500 USD. And I will include free ground shipping anywhere in the world!!

Here are a couple of pics





So lets auction this package off, highest bidder gets it, Auction ends noon EST next Wednesday, high bidder gets it. I will pm the winner and ask them to pay the funds directly to John's paypal account and once I have confirmation of that payment being made, I will ship the package!

I would also be delighted to see some other creative ideas to make this family have the kind of Christmas we should all have!!

Thanks and the VERY best of the season to all of you in this community from my family and I! Lets make this an A Mayes ing Christmas!

Shane

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Canada

Shane, what a nice thing to do.
Looks like eveyone will be a winner this time.
Best to you and yours, as well as the Mayes!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Bid #1 $250 (I am assuming there is a min bid increment of $10?)

Really nice of you Shane.

Yeah, I just did. I was away for most of the day yesterday. It is up now.

Thanks again Shane!

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Great idea! I'll go $325.00

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Bobby Masten

A great Holiday idea...$400.00

Jamie

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Jamie M

Thanks everyone! I will try and sand the top and backs tonight and post more pics. The Indian Laurel is a nice dense wood with a fabulous taptone. Not only that it is quite pretty!

Just to make things interesting....We have an anonymous bid of $550.

Thanks everyone, I think this is a great thing we are doing for one of "ours!"

Shane

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Canada

I don't know what to say guys. I'm truly touched right now. I can barely type through the tears. I really appreciate you all and my family does too whether they know it or not.

For those who don't know what happened to me here goes

Earlier this year I went into the hospital with what seemed like a bad fever, and flu-like symptoms. Turns out I had Bi-Lateral Staff and Strep Pneumonia. Not good. So if the Pneumonia in both lungs wasn't bad enough I developed a lot of fluid around my right lung and a little bit around my left. I was stuck with some chest tubes (that actually came out my back) to drain the fluid, but it would not all drain. So they had to do what they called a "decortification". That's doctor speak for "We are going to put a 8" cut around your side spread your ribs, and go in and scrape all the bad crap out of you." So much fun. In the process a couple ribs were broken as well. Got a couple more tubes coming out of my side this time, and other tubes where I won't mention. After a month in two different hospitals I got out. Unfortunately for me I had gotten laid off from McPherson and I did not take the cobra insurance as we had just enough money to love on until we found a place to live and get set up and such. So in turn I got stuck with well over 40K in hospital bills and no insurance to cover it. So I have been selling personal things of mine to cover payments and such. It puts a big strain on me as I make very little as it is.

At any rate my heartfelt thanks I extend to you all from my family and myself. I'm sorry for not being around here as much lately as I've been working like crazy trying to keep my finances from going the wrong way. I even turned a guy down for some help he was looking for on a lot of questions because I didn't have the time. I'm ashamed of that. I'll try to be around more often and help however I can. I love you all.

-John

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Just wanted to say thank you to you, Shane. You've got a bid heart!

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

I norm do these on the side, but I consider John a great friend who has been a influnence in my building. $450 if still open. All the best bro. I let you know when the water slows down and the trout are for the pickin in the trophy area

Well, I have gotten some requests to able to just donate to help John and his family out. I was hoping that something like that would happen. So I will make this as easy as possible. You can PM me for John's paypal address, or you can use Mastercard or Visa by calling me (250)631-6204 or email shane@highmountaintonewood.com and I will run the transaction and then transfer the entire amount (minus only the transaction fees) to John's paypal account. I am very happy to do this.

Remember, the current bid for the wood package is $550 by an anonymous bidder (sorry Stan, but thanks!)

Thanks everyone

Shane

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Canada

This isn't over already is it? Bump

Nope! The current bid is $550. I am not sure why it was released from the 'pinned' position.....I did PM Brock!

Thanks Ed

Shane

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Canada

--- bump ---

bump

Hi Shane, we're in for $600.00.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Awesome!! Thanks Steve!

Shane

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Canada

Ok, We have an anonymous bid now of $650.

This auction ends at 12:00 (9:00 am Pacific...where I live!)

Thanks everyone!

Shane

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Canada

$750.00

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

And the winner is.....STEVE!!

And all of the MAYES'!!!

Thanks everyone, this was for a great cause and I am sure that this will make John's (and his family's) Christmas just a little bit brighter.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Shane

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Canada

I like your style Steve, go big or go home I always say.

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Hibdon Hardwood, Inc.
http://www.hibdonhardwood.com
1410 N. Broadway
Saint Louis, Missouri 63102
314.621.7711

Thanks Andrew, and especially Shane for putting all this together.
John, I hope you know how much we all think of ya, bro!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com