Official Luthiers Forum!

Well, it has been a bit a struggle but I am FINALLY working on the new Lutz Spruce logs. I split out the first billets today. I was trying to have them hauled to my place but they are just too large and too heavy for the self loading logging truck and even if we had it loaded up on site I don't have large enough equipment here to help the truck unload and the self loader could not even get these off the ground (they tried!).

Anyway, the wood is beautiful, nice colour, good grain spacing and huge medullary rays but the tree does have some twist so master sets will be minimal but lots of something near 3A. Here are a couple of pictures:





It was snowing a bit today . My dog got so cold that I had to put him back in the truck while I finished off!

In this picture you can see the mild twist. The top billet was the best one of the bunch and could actually make some fairly high grade sets. It will be interesting to see how things progress through the tree.



Now for the real news. After the past couple of years of family medical issues and some other distractions our family has decided it is time for a change. As a result we will be moving out of Lutz country and I will be leaving High Mountain Tonewood Company (and my day job). I have a couple of people interested in taking over HMTC and I am really trying to get someone to carry on this business as more of a business than I have been able to attend to it over the past couple of years. I am also working on an exciting project that will hopefully see a new Sitka supplier on the market and I will posting more on that as they get closer to opening their doors. I am working as their technical consultant and we will be doing a small sample run from some of their mid grade logs over the next couple of weeks. We need to do this to support the business plan. So stay tuned to this exciting venture which I hope will see them up and running by Spring or early summer of next year.

Back to this current lutz spruce log. I am thinking of selling most of these as a mixed box of set (all better than 2A up to 3A) for $500 for a box of 12 sets (just under $42 USD per set). If there is interest in this I will get some shipping quotes together for various regions. I plan on a strong few weeks of processing over the next couple of months as I will be starting the new day job in mid to late January and that will see me on the road a lot more. I will also be able to sell single sets at the following prices: 2A - $30, 3A - $65. I will also see if I can get some harp and wiess sets but no promises because of the twist but if I find a "calm" spot in the tree I will do some.

The future for me and this community is as a guitar maker, which is what I started all of this for in the first place. I am really looking forward to that! I have one acoustic box ready for binding and it has been that way for at least 3 years so it will be great to finally be back at it later next year. I will only be building for family and friends but have enough wood for more guitars than I will likely ever build. I will be keeping one of my three resaws and of course the CNC machine stays as well so every once in a while I will be offering a few things in the classifieds section but I will either be taking the HMTC website down or hopefully transferring it over to some other operator.

Anyway, more to come once I start sawing these sets up.

Thanks for all of the support over the years and sorry that I couldn't keep up the service and product availability as well as it was a few a years ago. I just out grew my ability to stay on top of things, especially with all of the family things going on.

Shane

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Canada

Well Shane, family comes first, no doubt about it.

I wish you all the best, and I am curious as to your new endeavors. I am very sad to see your company shift hands, though I hope that whoever assumes control will be able to keep us all stocked with Lutz.

If you're ever in my hood, drop by for a shop visit.

And I'll take a few more boxes of the SA if the tree should provide....

Cheers

Ed

Shane, thank you for introducing the world to Lutz. A few years ago I read one of your original discussions here about it. Everybody was asking what the heck it was!

Wow! That is an impressive tree. I only had the one order with you and it was a small one, but you made it a pleasure. Change is good! Here's to great things for you and your family moving forward. Hope to see you posting pics once you start building again!

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George :-)

Best wishes for your family & whatever business opportunities you decide to take on. You're a good guy & I know you be successful.
cheers

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Dave
Milton, ON

Best wishes, Shane! I can't justify a full set order, but definitely want to get a few set from you before you close up shop. Also, thanks for sponsoring the OLF!

Shane,

Thanks for all of the fabulous wood over the years and all of the information on Lutz and Lutz harvesting/processing that you have shared here too. I hope that all goes well with your family and new ventures and I may well be up for one of the $500 boxes of 12. Looking forward to seeing your finished guitar too.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Shane,

Thanks for the update. I'm in for a set of 12.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Shane -

The best of luck in your new direction! I'm in for a set of 12 tops too, when you have them ready.

Tom

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Tom Barton

Shane,

Best of luck on your new venture!

I'd like to get a box of 12 tops before you go, too.

Thanks!
Dan

Wishing you all the best in whatever you do. I'm hoping to order a few sets, now I'll have to act quick!

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

It saddens me to see you leave the Lutz biz but I certainly wish you the best going forward. I have to ponder long and hard whether to throw my hat in the ring for a package. I have more wood now than I can use, but it's not all Lutz! All of my guitars that have gotten finished in the last year (well, that's only 3) have tops from you.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Shane, All the very best in your new digs!!!! You are one stand up guy!!!

If I can, I'll try and pick up a set of 12 but it'll have to be in the new year.... if money allows. Don't wait up for me thought of course.

Cheers and here's to the future!

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My Facebook Guitar Page

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

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

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

Shane, it's been a pleasure dealing with you. Best of luck to you as you move on and I hope we see a lot of you around here as you get more into building.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Shane,

All the best for your future endeavors.
I would be interested in the set of 12 too.

Sen

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Sen CL Goh
http://senguitar.blogspot.com

I sent you a PM Shane.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Shane,
I echo everyone else's sentiments. It's been a pleasure! Best of luck and put me down for a box!

T

Shane,

Sorry to hear that you are stepping down but all the best to you in what comes next. I've appreciated all our dealings over the years, you've helped me out big time on a few occasions. I'm looking forward to seeing your guitars too!
I'm in for a box for sure-

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Although it is exciting to make a change I am also apprehensive about the whole thing. HMTC has been an adventure and I have learned a lot in the process and have made some incredible acquaintances while on the journey. I am hoping that I will be able to attend some of the symposia in the future and meet many more of you there.

Anyway, I have posted more details about my decisions over at the ANZLF if you are interested.

http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5824

Again, thanks for allowing me to be a small part of many of your projects over the years, it has been a rewarding experience for me for sure!

I have a list of people who have posted for products and will keep it going and update you all as I move forward.....off to the saw now!

Thanks
Shane

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Canada

Shane: Certainly a bit of bitter sweet news...!!! You will be missed but we all hope things go well in your new adventure. I'm in for a box of 12 tops from the new log. Have also sent you a pm. Thanks and take care.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Sorry to see you go Shane, or rather HMT. I wish you all the best for you and your family in future.
Look forward to seeing your posts of your builds!
I'm in for some tops and bracewood, although a box may be a too much at this time, will PM you. I've never bought from you yet, but your wood and service are very well spoken of.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Best wishes for new adventures, Shane. Put me in for a box of Lutz tops too. I also need some brace wood. I'll PM you for details.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Shane,

First, that is an awesome looking log!! A thing of rare beauty indeed.

But more importantly, sad to see you leave this part of the guitar building world. I've only bought from you a few times, and they have been great experiences. During my time as part of the OLF not one bad thing has been said or suggested about the way you do business. People have loved doing business with you.

So good on you for a job well done, and for the integrity you brought to the job. May good vibes / karma / blessings follow you as you make this move for your family!

Phil

Best of luck to you and your family Shane. An end of an era, and the beginning of a new one!
I just finished carving some of your wonderful bracewood, and keep wondering what all this talk of "runout" is all about...none on your stuff!
Glad to have made the journey up there a few years back to meet you and and see the operation - good times!
I assume that unfinished guitar is the same one we looked at back then - with the radial back braces non?
I will take a 12-pack and some bracewood - PM sent.

Always good to see a post from Shane! They're always interesting.

I have a few Lutz sets from Shane, and I prize them highly. They're great looking and super stiff.

Sorry to hear you're moving away from the Lutz's..lol Good luck with you future plans!

I'd be in for a box of 12 also. Please let us know when it's ready.