Official Luthiers Forum!

Just got off the phone with Charlie at Arrowhead Music in Safety Harbor and he's interested too. He doesn't have a computer so I said I would keep him informed. Said he has been busy with repairs but has been getting back into more building lately.
Jim B

Jim, that's Ken Hodges?
We're into page two, this could be the begining of something cool.

I talked to Dave Bland and he wants to come depending on his
schedule and things, so he's a definite maybe. Hope he can make it !

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I talked to the owner of the local Guitar Shop here, Randy from Quality Guitars, and he wants to come. He has a new builder starting there once a week, Charles Scroggins? - I'll contact him too...

_________________
Mitch

Chris - yes I was talking about Ken Hodges...

Okay then, I think the first thing we need to take care of is setting a date. Do we want to stick with Saturday Nov. 1st. or another Sat. or Sunday? And then let's set a start time.

OK guys -

Sat Nov 1st is the date...

We will hold the first meeting here at my house in Spring Hill - if we get too many people we'll find another location but I can easily hold a couple dozen here so no worries...

We need volunteers for demos:

I can do a bandsaw tuneup or sharpening demo if we want that...

Other candidates:

Neck set
Inlay
Voicing
Set up
Other suggestions welcome!!!

My wife and I will supply burgers/brats/dogs for a cookout in the afternoon...BYOB but we'll have soda available

Looking for volunteers for:

coffee in the morning (we'll get a headcount ahead of time)
bagels/donuts or whatever

tentative agenda: (y'all chime in here)

10:00 am - Intros/Welcome
10:15 - Noonish - Demos
Noon-1:00-ish - Cookout
1:00-3:00 - More demos and/or Best or Ugliest guitar contest
3:00- 5:00 - Lookiing for suggestions here
5:00 to 6:00 - You're best/worst Building moment-AKA general BS whent he suds are flowing

I think a swap meet will be an ongoing all-day affair so bring stuff you want to trade!!!


Any stories about Hesh, grumpy, Rick Turner, or other brushes with fate are always welcome...

...this is a suggestion only - so lets get the ball rolling and not let it hit the floor....

_________________
Mitch

Wow! Sounds really organized already. I'm looking forward to it and meeting everyone. I'll be glad to bring coffee and bagels. Anything else I can do just let me know. I spoke with one more guy today that I was really hoping would come,but he's undecided at this time. He has a lot going on right now and is not sure if he will be able to get involved. He has built quite a few very nice guitars and would be a real asset. Hopefully things will work out and he'll be able to come.
I have one more guy to contact yet. Thanks for volunteering your house and all the work to make this happen. And to Chris for his effort in creating this.

Sounds real good Mitch. You seem to have a handle on things. It will be great to meet you all.

Very good Mitch! I've got some things I'll bring and hopefully the
00-12fret I'm working on will be done by then. I'll do an inlay demo-
just something quick like a small logo.
Everything sounds great guys! It'll be fun!

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I have a couple of suggestions for the first meeting. First,a sign up sheet to get names,address, phone numbers and email addresses for future contact. Second, a discussion time perhaps during lunch to work out what we want to do with this group. Everyone may have a different vision for what for what they see this becoming. Do we want it small and informal or to grow and be more organized? How often do we want to meet and on what days? Do we want dues to raise money to bring in speakers or to fund other events? Do we want one central meeting place or do we rotate? Perhaps everyone could bring a list of suggestions and what they would like to see or not see happen. Just some ideas to kick around. What do you think?
Jim

Mitch - you are the man! Great job, I'll make that date work and while I am new at guitar building. I can help out with a swap table. ( I even have some stuff I can bring tools - music stuff )......Or whatever... I just might have the ugliest guitar so that sounds like a fun time, if that makes the final agenda....I'll call Ken Hodges today with the date and try to confirm he can make it. I'll PM you with my contact information in-case you'd like to start a work team to put this event to together....
Thank you for hospitality and everything you have done so far...

Take care

Jim

Thanks guys -

I'll do a bandsaw tuneup and resawing demo - Need someone to volunteer for another demo or three - I think I heard Dave Anderson volunteer for an inlay demo, which will be cool...

I have an 8 channel mixer and powered 12 inch speakers, so we'll be looking for volunteers to plug in and entertain....


As Jim said, we'll set aside some time after lunch to discuss "The Organization" if we want to take it that far...I'd suggest that a couple of you talk to some of the Northeast luthiers, as they have an organization that meets once a month or so at various locations...

Burton - if you are reading this post, I think you went to a few of these meetings...care to chime in on how your organization is set up?

_________________
Mitch

I could video some of the demos if you like? Right now I'm not too sure what I could give a demo on.

Chris,
Your The Jig Master! All your jig videos have always impressed me. I have something I could demo but thought other people would have better stuff. If anyone is interested I built what Charles Fox calls a Vacuum Island. It's a cabinet that houses a pump and tank that has different fixtures to attach to it to hold guitars vertical or horizontal while you work on them. It also has a case for vacuum gluing braces to tops and backs.There's really no end to the amount of vacuum fixtures you could build to use with it with a little imagination and room to store it.
Jim B.

I'm always up for seeing jigs. I don't know all that much about vacuum clamping so I'd be interested in seeing it. I'll bring some of my jigs too that might be of interest.

That would be great Chris. I'd love to see them. I've also got that William's style binding jig I built. Harry Fleisman says you can use it blind folded. We could always find out. If you all could let me know if you're interested in either and if so which one I'd be glad to bring it.
Jim B.

Se that? we just added a segment to the agenda..."Show me your favorite Jig"

If it fits in your truck, bring it...

As for videos, if you can tape it, I can put up a web site to show it... so tape away and we can do a web site for "The Organization" and have a videos link to show it...

Keep 'em coming guys, we can do this alllllllll day!

_________________
Mitch

I thought that's what we did here with videos. But if you want to do that it's fine with me. We could also have some kind of a library.

Jim Mitchell was at my shop last night and he helped me finish up my rosette center ring and I wanted to let him see how it turned out. Here's it is Jim. And thanks for the third hand.
I used my precision ablam rosette cutting jig to cut the pearl. And my wells/karol router base to route the center ring and sound hole.

Very nice looking.
Jim B.

Chris - ya gotta show me how you do that...very nice!!

_________________
Mitch

Hey Chris,

That was a fun time, you did a nice job! It really looks great! I wish I could take more credit than just being that extra hand every once and a while..... Using CA was a pretty good way to go.... You know you should think about a demo on the "Mike Doolin" neck joint. At least kick the idea around a little with the group. The meeting is starting to take on the feel of a full blown festival.... I wonder if Mitch has space for tent's, live entertainment, vendors and is there s sponsor hotel? LOL...

Take care

Jim

Well,I sent Mr. Augi LoPrinzi an invite ! I haven't met him yet,
but I sent him an email, and his daughter who is a great luthier too.
That would be great if someone of his expertise and experience came?
Here's hoping they can make it

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Jim Brother - I got roooooooomm! Live entertainment depends on you guys putting your skills where your mouths are and plugging into the sound system! We'll have a ball no matter what...no worries!

Dave! Tell the man! We'll have the Crossroads playing on the big screen - demos in the shop, and live stuff in the back...

good times, good times..

_________________
Mitch