Official Luthiers Forum!

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

Colin,

I was very sad when I read your post. I have admired your playing very much. Now I also admire your resolve to carry on regardless.

Take care,
Pat

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There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

Colin,

I can not find words that will express how saddened I am that this has happened to one so dedicated to stringed instruments, a cruel twist indeed. I must also say that you have confronted this set back with an attitude which, just like your work as a luthier and skills as a builder, remains inspirationional to us all.

Best wishes for a fast recovery and remarkable rehabilitation.

Kim

Aw shoot Colin,

I can only echo what has already been written, my best wishes for yourself and co victim,

Sebastiaan

Very very sorry to hear about this. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and my compliments on your exemplary attitude towards it all.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

As I read, my heart truly, physically ached for you. And I so wanted to hook you up with Jameel Abraham-USA - Iowa-my home state . He does ouds. You will be long in my prayers. Mike Tobey

Absolutely beautiful. I'm sure that you will excel at lap slide as well. (I still have chills from listening)

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Colin,

I am inspired by your positive outlook in the face of your injury and I wish you all of your full creative power as you recover.

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

colin, i appreciate you. not just as a player and builder, but you also seem like quite an amazing person. bless you and your home. i also pray for a speedy recovery and that you would find joy again in making music. thanks for opening your life up to us here at the olf. youre a good man.

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sweat the small stuff.

Colin you've been a real gent in helping me in particularly and others I'm sure I've been a college and am so sorry not to have posted sooner, like the others have said take encouragment in django and other.

Similarly to this week at blacksmithing college on of the technicians crushed the ends of his fingers off under a 2cwt powerhammer not nice. You both have helped me and are both in my thoughts

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Wow! I'm really sorry to hear about this. Best to you and her.

Colin,

I am truly saddened to hear that this has happened to you. You and your work are an inspiration to us all.

Colin,

I am really sad to hear about the unfortunate thing happening to you.
I wish you all the best for your speedy recovery.

Sen

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

Colin,
What an awesome attitude you have during such a tough time. I lost the pinky on my right hand back in
1988 while working as a toolmaker/machinist. It happened because of the neglect of a maintenance person
who left some sharp tools between stacks of the steel stock I was using to set up a large CNC machine.

One at the hospital...only six minutes after the amputation...and with the cut off finger tip in a bag of ice,
I was allowed to sit there in the emergency room hallway from 2:12PM until 5:45PM...three and a half hours!.
When an orthopedic surgeon was finally called, he advised me to immediately contact a lawyer since he could
have successfully reattached the finger tip within an hour and it would have likely stayed intact, even though
the joint would have lost its ability to function.

We found out later that the insurance company of the machine shop I was working for was notorious for slow
payment on medical bills for employees. For that reason, I was pushed aside and ignored in that hallway with
an amputated finger while people came, were treated and left for headaches, splinters, and other minor conditions.
It was only when I loosen the cloth that was wrapped around the injury to have a look at it that I was taken in for
care because everyone got upset that the bleeding made a bit of a mess on the floor when it started again.

Whatever the case, the loss of a finger is surprisingly tough to over come for a time, but our bodies are amazing
things and we adapt and adjust to compensate for any loss.

I hope you are able to continue to enjoy making music and that it continues to bring you as much joy as it always
has.

Regards and all the best,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Colin,
I too must express my deep sympathy over your misfortune. This is something that I have become very familiar with recently as one of my best friends lost the first two fingers on his left hand slightly less than two year ago. He had been playing for over 50 years and was actually around during the folk scare of the early 60's. My friend is fortunate in that he plays with a pick and he is reasonably ambidextrous. Although he played right handed, he is now making the switch to left handed. Is he as good left handed as he was right? No. Will he be in another two years? Possibly, probably not, but still better than most. His progress has been amazing, however, and we are all very proud of him. The accident happened when he was 62 so the switch over is happening pretty late in life. His left handed fiddle work is especially impressive.

As you ponder your options, consider switching sides and perhaps building a few lefty instruments.

Regards and all the best
Mike Mahar

Colin, I haven't read this entire thread, since my first instinct on hearing this news was to post a response. I am truely sorry for what has happened to you and your friend. I certainly hope that the two of you will recover fully and swiftly. As for your outlook on the situation, you are to be commended. I know that mine would not be as positive. I would encourage you and your friend not to give up. If attitude and outlook has anything to do with it, I believe you can recover and accomplish anything you put your mind to.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Colin, I am truly saddened at the news of your accident. I am glad that you and the young woman both will pull through this ordeal. You have always been an inspiration with your building, restoration, soundhole carving and playing. If not for your posting at the forum, I may have never been exposed to the unique sound and beauty of the lute. I wish you a rapid return to health as I'm sure you will look at this as only a setback and not a defeat. Your wealth of knowledge and sense of aesthetics is a valuable resource at the OLF. Chin up and stay in touch.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Colin,

That is very sad news. I wish you the speediest recovery. Given the type of person that you've shown yourself to be on this forum, I have no doubt that we will continue to see tremendous guitars and hear beautiful music from you in the future.

Bob

Dear Colin
I am deeply saddened by the news of this terrible accident. I really admire your attitude. Keep the spirits high and remember "Where there's a will there's a way"
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
BobC

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Colin,

I am very sorry and saddened on hearing the news of your injury. Your resolve and stalwart philosophical approach to this terribly unfortunate accident is virtuous and inspiring-- as with your guitars: grace, understated, elegant, British.

Wishing you well and a speedy recovery.

Alhambra sounds beautiful.

Colin,
It`hard to believe how things can change so rapidly.Your attitude is inspiring.I`ve always enjoyed seeing your beautiful instruments, especially the violin you built for your wife.Your playing and hers has always been spectacular.I wish you the best in the future.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Colin, I'm very sorry for this turn of events. Glad it wasn't worse......and I love to hear a slide guitar!

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Colin,

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident, and I hope that you'll be feeling better soon.

And thanks for all the help that you've given me here, either directly or indirectly.

Best Regards,
Kirt

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Horton, MI

Hey Colin,

so sorry to hear of your accident. E.Grinstead has a great plastics team- glad to hear you had the very best of care. You can actually regain a lot of fine function with time, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear more of your playing- remember Django? I wouldn't give things up that quickly!

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Warmest regards,
Terence
www.guitarbench.com

Hi Colin,
Very bad news,indeed.
Your instruments and music have certainly been an inspiration to me.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
Brad