Official Luthiers Forum!

Today we shipped off guitar #005 to a customer - and I must admit - I'm kind of having a hard time seeing this one go.

As far as builds go, this was our best one to date. The build went great and the combination of the Carpathian top with Bocote B/S really sang right from the first strum.

We told our customer that if for ANY reason he didn't like it we would GLADLY take the guitar back and return his money.

So.... do you ever have guitars that you just hate to put on the truck to probably never be seen again?

Does it feel this way a lot?

I just didn't get enough time to enjoy this one before it left.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Happens every time, some more that others. But the ones sold locally might be sighted being played on stage, which is always a treat. Plus, if they're local, the owners can drop by for a checkup. I think they get a kick out of seeing how I enjoying that.

Lucky for me, two that I built for the same customer came back for safekeeping while he knocked around Southeast Asia for three months, so it's been nice having them around. But I've heard he's back in the states and now I have to part with them again.

Pat

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

This one is going to Toronto Canada - so not much of a chance of seeing it again.

Maybe someday.... when I build guitar #50 or #100 (If I am so lucky), I'll invite people to come to a "family reunion" and we'll all meet each other.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Sure, all the time. After 200+ mandolins it's a little easier especially when I have several I'd not sell unless the price was $$$$$$$ or times got exceedingly bad (stay tuned).

Still, once in a while I build one that I just feel like saying " I'm sorry but I stepped on it, I'll start another right away...

I hate to see them go. I've got a problem I bet you haven't had yet Paul. I'm working on a left handed guitar. I can't even play it for a couple weeks before I "send" it.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Every single time. In fact, I had a speck guitar that I had fallen in love with and didn't really plan or push to sell.I was already was calling it my own. It was fairly expensive and I was happy when I sold it it but when reality hit me I realized that I had sold MY guitar... I was really sad...

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

The closer I get to completing a guitar, the more I think 'Nahh...I'll sell the next one. I don't have a insert body style with insert tonewood combo yet.'

It's just hard after spending som much time and care on an instrument to let it go.

I really want to resist the temptation of keeping it for myself this time though...and finance some more tools and tonewood.

Christian

I have a slightly different problem, I have built so many "for myself" that now I can't (with a clear concience) keep them all. The one I like the best as well as all the rest HAVE to find a new home. The money would be nice and it would also give me the opportunity to try somethin' else for a keeper. So in response to your question, yeah I'm sad, but not very! Its more fun to build 'em than possess them! Mikey

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

I used to feel that way but I think it lessens the more instruments that you send out. I do remember a feeling as though you had lost an old friend, a kind of empty feeling.

It really helps when you shift the focus from making the thing to serving the client.

In my day job I build wooden canoes and paddles, and I invest myself in a canoe pretty heavily in terms of time that it takes to produce it. By the end I am actually looking forward to getting it out of the shop and into the hands of the new owners! That helps.

And when the client is happy with the fruits of your labour...well, that is the real fruit our our labour.

That, and cashing the cheque to support our families.

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