Official Luthiers Forum!

As other posters have said over and over, you have my deepest sympathy, and my sincere admiration for your attitude. Like others I'm certain you'll find a way to persevere with what you love doing.

As further evidence of the Django ilk, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath lost the tips of his ring and middle fingers in an industrial metal press, and still managed to be one of the definign artists of his genre, argueably due to his injury rather than inspite of it. Stefan Grapelli has said the same of Django - he played the way he did because of the limitations imposed on him, and he developed an inimitable sound because of this, rather than allowing the restraints on his reach and note selection to criple him.

Wishing you and the young lady both a speedy recovery.

Colin, sorry to hear about your accident and consequences. I hope it works out well for you in the end. Speedy recovery sir!

Cheers ,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Colin.... So sorry to hear about your accident. I'm confident that you will find plenty more to reach for, even if you decide to no longer reach for the guitar and lute. The sky is still not the limit... there is world of opportunity out there!

Great achievement is great, because of great obstacles!

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

It feels like such a small thing to write and say how sorry I am to hear this! I am a guitarplayer to ! and even to think of what this would meen for a person that loves to play and work with the hands scares the hell out of me !! Colin, you filisofical view is amazing, and in the end, thats the thing that will help you in this. Like others have said, it ain´t over yet, a great example is Django Reinhardt !!!! 3 fingers and one of the best guitarplayers ever !.
My prayers are with you.

Lars.

Colin, it saddens me to hear of your misfortune ! I find your attitude and resiliance of spirit inspiring , and I am sure it will carry you to new heights of acheivement in whatever you find fullfilling from here onward . Best wishes . Jody

Colin,
Terribly sorry to hear about the accident. I've been playing for years and understand the fear of being put into a situation that would take away my ability to play. I am confident that you will find a way to continue your creative pursuits and wish you the best for the future.
Dave

Wow Colin. That is terrible. My thoughts are with you.

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

Can I just say how humbled I am at all of the kind things you have said and the messages you have all left here. When everything is healed up and I'm back to what passes for normal in my house, I'll take a while and consider my options. Having played at a reasonable standard I know I won't be happy to compromise on that, but a lap slide will probably be the way forward, Dave's my expert consultant there, so I'll get his guidance.

As to building well I expect I will concentrate on my restoration work of historic guitars and lute, this is really satifying, putting a great instrument back into playing condition gives me a great thrill. I may have to attempt an FE08 though, as that's the pinnacle of the luthiers art.

I do have a lot of recordings of my playing, and my recordings of the Dowland will be a resource for the next generation of lutenists at the RCM, and I did get to play the Recuerdos, every classical guitar players' aim so I'm happy.

As my swansong, here's my Recuerdos: Recuerdos de la Alhambra

I just heard that the girl involved should make a full recovery, which is the best news.

Lance, I'm sorry but I posted in the wrong forum (blame the morphine!) please feel free to move the thread.

Colin

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

I refuse to consider that a swansong, but rather a supurb portion of a ever growing legacy Brovo

Well said Michael! Colin, that was awesome! A wonderful thing to listen to as my family starts their day. I have been thinking (dangerous I know!) that you could start to learn to play left handed. Your timbre from your strumming hand would be different but I am sure that your accomplishments would continue to excel in the playing end and continue to give you cause to reproduce the classic instruments you so love.

Still thinking about you Colin!

Shane

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Canada

Colin, there are lots of great options delivered here and other sound advice but the greatest thing to have in this terrible time for you is the love and respect from all those around you and everyone here at the forum. You came to this place in your life because of the great gifts you have. We know you will get beyond this and anyone who has had the loss or partial loss of digits or limbs can actually feel your pain and knows that it will be a long time healing. That said and knowing that laughter is preferable to sadness, may I offer one more possibility, washtub bass.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Colin, do you remember when I said you could cuss in Latin?
Now would be such a fine time!
And perhaps you did under your breath, but here on the forum you have behaved youself with such calm repose.
You are admirable in so many ways....

I am sickened by the news, but already my mind is working:
Could you switch to playing left handed?
It would be a great hurdle to relearn everything upside down, and of course you will miss the finesse of those tips, but who knows?
I'm sure if anyone could do it, it would be yourself.
Or whatever else comes to mind (yours not mine), you will be able to do.

Grieving, my friend....

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Colin,

We're not allowed to cuss on this forum, but my heart sank and the words that first came to mind can't be printed here.

Thank you for the inspiration of your words and attitude - that is one hell of a gift that you have given us all. I can't even imagine how devastating this would be for 99% of us who love to make music (whether some of us, like me, are good at it or not.)

I'm going to sail in to potentially dangerous waters by referencing something comedic in this very serious situation, with hopes that you'll immediately understand the reference and know I am not seeing your situation as comedy. Your mention of playing lap steel or hurdy gurdy, and your indomitable attitude, immediately made me think of the battle of the Black Knight in Monty Python's Holy Grail. You, sir, will not be defeated by this accident. I am confident that you will not only heal, but that you will indeed play beautiful music again, because it is so obvious that music is an integral part of your essence.

Heal quickly, and thank you for the gifts you have shared.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Colin, I am so sorry hear that you were injured, but I am grateful you are still with us and taking this so well.

You have made our small worlds a much better place because you have shared you knowledge of building, of music and you have shared your soul with each piece you allowed us to listen too. I know that I will hear you play again. I don't know what is be played on, but I know that it will be beautiful. Music is very much a part of you.

I'll be waiting over on the side for the next piece you share with us.

In the mean time, please do share your restoration work with us please.

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Aoibeann

Colin,
So sorry to hear about this.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you in any way.

Best wishes for your speedy recovery,

David

Colin, I'm Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I can only imagine how it would feel to not be able to play guitar or lute.

I'm sure you will find another way to fill your creative void .


ron m.

Colin, I can't believe your solid attitude given the accident! Many people could learn from you! I'm very sorry about the hand. I agree with you...keep the faith, and good things will still come to you!

Best wishes,

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com

Your strength is obvious, you will persevere. Keep up the good attitude.

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Ken

Sad news Colin.

Maybe playing is not in the cards (for now), but surely with the help of other members here, we can assist you in building. Not sure how that would work, but this is a bright bunch of folks. Things you cannot do now, we could do and ship back to you. Think about it.

I imagine over time you will figure out how to do more of the stuff you get help with early on.

Mike

Colin,
We've never met nor corresponded, but I am saddened by your accident. I am thankful that you and the other injured person will recover, and I share the optimism of so many who have posted ahead of me that you will find many ways to express your musical talent in time. Your recording was a very sensitive and inspiring performance. I'm moved, and you will be in my prayers.
Patrick Hanna

Colin, it is very sad to hear this. We will all miss your skills as a guitar player but I am sure that your positive attidude will help you carry on building fabulous guitars as you have always done. You are inspiring to me and your words are touching.

I wish you a quick recovery.

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Andy

Italian spruce if you look for the best!!

Colin...you've been one of my few inspirations over the years on the OLF...you have unselfishly contributed to my building as well as others. Now it's time for you to be inspired by all of the good will that will flow toward you. Your attitude is superb right now. If there's anything I/we can do to help you to help yourself, never hesitate to ask.

Hang in there, Bro...we're pulling for you!

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

i can only echo the others in that i'm amazed by your attitude toward this. it must be in the brit's nature to always look on the bright side of life.
i'm sure you'll be able to work around the issues and once again make beautiful music.
best wishes for a speedy recovery

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Frank

Colin--

This is a difficult post for me to write. I'm breaking my rule of never saying everything that's on my mind over the internet.

I'm listening to your Recuerdos now. Without question, this is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard. I can only hope that somehow there will be a way for you to continue playing. Perhaps with the collective knowledge of this forum we can devise an instrument whose scale, fretboard, size, and tone will be suitable for the considerations now, unfortunately, necessary. If possible, I'd like to ask if we as a forum can do this for our friend. I can think of no better way for the forum to help our friend heal than to make this a reality. I'm not a luthier, however, I know the luthiers here are nothing short of genius and nothing short of true friends. Lance-- if you read this and deem this an appropriate project, how can we get something started for our friend?

On a personal note-- and here's where I'm breaking my rule, and quite possibly the forum rules-- I cannot comprehend how strong you are being through all this. I greatly admire your resolve and attitude. My own earnest prayer, on numerous occasions, has been that God will take me before I should ever become unable to play. I am not a strong enough man to want to go on without the ability. You have my sincere respect and admiration.

Take care--

John Creech

Beethoven was deaf when he wrote/performed some of his best music. I am sure despite your handicap you will still be able to make beautiful instruments and play beautiful music. I pray for a speedy recovery.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com