Official Luthiers Forum!

One of the sadest things is that when you see so many wonderful looking builds from both the professionals and amateur builders on this site, is the fact that most of us will never get to play them or try them and have to make do with several sound clips and nice pics....

That is especially so here in the UK, where its quite a rare occurance to come accross boutique instruments from the highly regarded US makers.

Now a while back, before I knew about this site, I was was looking advice on how Macassar was to work, and so used google to search macassar and guitar and one of the site I came across was Gerald Sheppard's. I was instanmtly amazed by the images on his site - stunning instruments, beutiful, understated and aspirational... and he was kind enough to answer the queries from this newbiw amateur without so much as a blink on the eye...

... so image my delight when I discovered that there was a UK specialist shop, not actually too far from where I live that had a couple of his guitars...along with some from Hamblin, Petros, Charis, Ehlers, and the forums very own Poling! (although none in stock at the time ;-()

So I had to give one of Mr Sheppard's (a lovely Cocobolo and German Spruce delight) a go.... WOW.... I have told my wife I am in love again ... and am now seriously thinking about selling up a few guitars to be able to buy this wonderful instrument. The depth of tone, balance, sustain and simple joy of sound from this guitar made me finally realise why some of these boutique makers can demand the price - worth every penny. It would be an heirloom piece. For me teh biggets compliment I could pay any guitar is the fact that there are simply some instruments that once you have played them, you dont want to put them down...ever... they would make me a better player because I would proctice more!

See that is my dilemma... I am simply not good enough a player, being extremely average, to justify being teh owner of such an instrument...or am I? How do makers feel when these wonderful instruments end up in the hands of the unworthy such as myself - cherished, appreciated for sure, but never likely to give them the workout that will let folk see the very best sound they have to offer? Or am I simply being stupid... because as I said, it WOULD make me a better player simply because I would play...and play and play... a sheer delight it was...

Confused in the UK!

I can't answer your question Frank, but I have experience with the opposite.

One of my close friends and musicians plays a $129 Epiphone dread, but can make it sound pretty good. He plays a really mellow and free-flowing style that is almost hypnotic, but that guitar just doesn't have the depth of a really nice guitar. He was over the other night and instead of playing his guitar, I handed him my first build. I asked him if he could get any use out of it because it has been in its case for months and after playing the most amazing arrangement for 10 minutes, he straightened his glasses and said "it sure sounds like I can". So now that guitar is his.

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Don't confront me with my failures--I have not forgotten them.

See thats pretty cool! Thing is I do think you dont need to be a great player to appreciate just how good a guitar is, afterall you can hear it!, but as you say there are some players who sound good on even a poor guitar, just by getting the most out of an instrument. My question was in part hypothetical, in part philosophical. I am sure from a commercial perspective those who build professionally and need customers will be more 'open' to this, but my question was because, whilst I can fully appreciate the shear quality of an instrument, I know I am not going the ever get the best out of it and would Gerald mind that?

Seiously it was perhaps the best guitar I have been lucky enough to play.

Frank,
I can't speak for Mr. Sheppard, but if I were the builder, I would be more excited to read your testimony, than to know some professional bought it, and added it to his collection to sit in the case. You are right. When you have a guitar of that quality, you play more and become a better player. Just to know someone cherish's and loves the guitar would be any builders pleasure. If you have the means to buy it, then you deserve it. Now, convincing your wife is another story.........Good Luck!
Mike R.
P.S. I bought my dream guitar about 8 years ago. But that was 30 years after my first "dream guitar". I wish I hadn't waited so long.

Frank, I say go for it. I think the most important thing is not if you are an excellent player, but that you can appreciate the instrument. It seems like there are a lot of folks out there who are constantly buying and selling custom builds like a commodity, so I think that because you realize the value of these instruments and would treat one like an heirloom, a builder would love to see on in your hands.
Thats just my take!

Frank,


I can't speak for Gerald, but for me my greatest joy is listening to someone play and enjoy my guitars. Be they beginners or great professionals, if they can hear and appreciate what I have created, they are my validation that I am not just wasting my time.

It is the level of appreciation that is important, not level of skill. You like this instrument and want to own it, that is all that matters.


Cecil

Thanks Mike

Thats kinda how I hoped builders would respond... sadly i dont have teh cash means entirely, but If I sold a couple of nice ones it would be possible subject to approval from she who must be obeyed

I Have been luck enough to play some lovely pre war Martins, Collings, Patrick Eggles - lovely and beutiful instruments, but this just blew me away... It must be love because although hideously busy at work, II keep trying to make the calculations work and devise a cunning plan with which to break it to the wife.

Happy Holidays!

Frank, I have spoken to Gerald a few times as we were setting up some supplied for him. He is a very humble man in my estimation and I agree with the comments above. Gerald strives to build the very best guitar he can, the very BEST! But I feel he would love to know that his work was indeed cherished by it's new owner, that would be enough for him I think, probably even MORE than enough!

Merry Christmas!

Shane

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Canada

I am nowhere near far enough along in my building chops to really consider this notion, but I have. I have come to the conclusion that as I build and improve, even before I sell them for materials cost + some sum, I only want to give them to people who appreciate them. Not necessarily the most gifted musicians, but even aspiring ones who seem to genuinely love to play. So when someone says, "Could you make me one?", like they're gonna get a free/cheap guitar, I feel a little turned off. This versus my guitar teacher/friend who loves picking mine up and playing it. I will be making him one just because he appreciates the work that went into it, as well as the sound coming out of it.

I am not a good player, but I'm learning and I love the learning. The same way with building.

So for me, the appreciation of the instrument, and the maker's work and devotion to his craft seems to be more important to me.

Darrin

Hi Frank, I have to second Shane's comment. Gerald is an outstanding builder and gentleman as well. I have 2 Sheppard guitars a Grand Concert BRW/Carpathian Spruce and an African Blackwood/Bosnian spruce Dream series. They are world class instruments. I had the opportunity to meet Gerald and his family at their home in Kingsport Tn when I was purchasing my first guitar from him, the BRW. We spent the better part of the afternoon there (Gerald's shop is in the basement of his home) Gerald showed me around his shop and went into detail on his building style and techniques. He still answers question for me from time to time. Gerald is an excellent player and we sat around for quite a while switching off guitars and talking, all the while his wife graciously entertained my wife and our 3 year old while we talked shop. I mention all this because I chose his guitar over others not only because it was a great guitar but because of the guy who built it. I think he would be truly pleased to find someone who enjoyed his instruments regardless of their skill level.

Richard