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I got a new thickness sander! I'm going to finally venture into flat top territory and this will make things a whole lot easier. Merry Christmas to all!

Darrel

I'm getting (it hasn't arrived yet) a fine unserviced guitar kit from Shane. Not only the joy of helping the Mayes family, but for me, a chance to work some Indian Laurel.
Like I told Shane, when I first started in the wood acquisition mode, 30+ years ago, I chanced to see some Indian Laurel. A fine cabinetmaker had built a nightstand using this unusual species, and I was intrigued. The thought occurred to me then that Indian Laurel would be fun to try in a guitar. But alas, I haven't seen it offered...until now.
So whad'I get? A dream doubly fulfilled!
What a grand Christmas.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I am getting a guitar stand to accommodate 5 guitars. I think it is more a gift from my wife for my wife since she is the one who doesn't like a guitar propped up in every corner of the house.

Since this has become something of a philosophical post about time in the shop, as a long term shop rat, though new to guitar making, I have some qualifications to comment.

Really time is one of 3 divine gifts, we have a body to manipulate stuff on the planet and time to do it. As much fun as these 3 are, most of us have some sort of spiritual leaning in which we yearn for that which is outside of those 3 things.

From both a guitar player and woodworker perspective, I feel that the time I spend on these two ventures is my (our) personal gate way to a moment of peace and stillness that is outside of the rules of our physical universe. As a guitar player, when I have a song that I have practiced and I no longer need to think of the chords or words, sometimes for just a moment during that song, body earth and time fade into a moment of stillness and peace. These are the moments that I practice for.

As we live our lives we have certain responsibilities that require us to monitor time to function in society. What a rare blessing when we have met those requirements and can work in a timeless fashion. Congrats to the Padma for making it there, I am sure he has used a clock during his life and is enjoying this rare opportunity when dinner time is when you are hungry, bed time when you are sleepy and work time when you are inspired. I am sure that the Padma has made and continues to make life choices (sacrifices) to support this position. Most work a job they dislike for 40 + years for the purpose of creating this scenario in retirement.

Personally I prefer to set an alarm clock for when I have to stop working so I don't need to be watched by a clock, and I use stop watches in the shop to measure time for processes.

Perhaps those moments of timeless creativity in the shop are the closest we get to the spiritual absolute the different religions describe. At least that is how it feels to me.

Happy Holidays to all and thanks to all the different perspective that we get in this forum.
Robert Renick

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http://shastaguitar.com/
http://www.kalimbakit.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/comfyfootgr ... ature=mhee
http://www.facebook.com/robert.renick.7

I got to see a very big on my 6-year old boy's face when he got this



Sounds pretty good with the 1/2 size sg junior style guitar (single P 90) I built for him. I'm hoping he'll move past "Peter Gunn Theme" and "Smoke on the "Water" by the end of the Holidays...

God Jul (Merry Christmas), everyone!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Robert that was a great post.
I got cross country skis.
Happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Festivus everyone!!!

I got a huge book: "The Illustrated Directory of Guitars" An awesome pictorial/coffee table style thing. Lots of inspiration!
Me plan to reed it for exactly 37 minutes a day

Peace,
Sanaka

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...imagine there were no hypothetical situations...

Edward, you just gave me a flashback. The last Christmas gift I ever received from my mother (five months before she passed on in 1980) was cross country skis. I have used them as often as possible, although snow is not ever guaranteed where I live in central Missouri, USA. This memory has made my day! What a wonderful memory to have on a Christmas evening. Thank you! And just think...it's been snowing all day in my neighborhood!

Oh...for Christmas this year, and every year, I received the love of my excellent and dear wife, many warm friendships, and some other fun stuff, too. The third category is great, but essentially can't compare to the first two. I am a happy man!

Prosperity and blessings to each of you this new year!

I got two chisels, a rasp, two files, a set of needle files and a coping saw. I got some money to pick out a plane, and a jap saw.

I also got permission to order everything for my first build... The wife has not told me yet what I have to due to make it up to her. Only time will tell.

I hope your able to make it out lots this winter! I am hoping to get out next week.

.
a small machinists type set up square of brass and ebony (2 x 3 inches)....hand made by my son.

the
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

I ordered myself a CNC machine. Does that count?

Ervins Books from the girlfriend

I got a set of 5 Lie Nielsen Bevel Edge Socket Chisels, woohoo!

Oh, and I got a Rikon 14" bandsaw last month but that was sort of a gift to myself

Nothing under the tree for me, but my wife got a new job a few weeks ago that she really likes it. That's enough for me... maybe in another month I'll be able to order the parts for the explorer I started.......Christmas in January maybe...

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Rob

Got the Martin box set of books, the Larson bros creations, and one called 2000 guitars - has a ton of great pix in it .... excellent reading and insight ......and some new skis ... and a 6 pack from my bud Joe !!!

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Joe Young?

Yes Ed .. Joe Young .. he lives about 5 minutes from me. He got some vino from me !!!

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Very cool. I met Joe at exotic woods, say hi for me.

i also got that book 2000 guitars tony its a great little reference and i like how its not just electrics or acoustics. basses mandos, harp guitars. I also got the first edition in the set of big red books of American luthery. have hardly put it down in the last couple days think ive read 200+ pages already. and a mandolin building book from stew mac with about 30 pages of full sized plans. going to A and M woods in Cambridge tomorrow to pick up mandolin woods. im sure i wont be able to hold my self back from coming home with a couple little extras i don't exactly need right now too. but ill just say thats my Christmas present to myself

I'm with Flippo.

Peace on Earth.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

I didn't get anything lutherie but my dear wife got me a new dress shirt and tie, the Samuel Adams min-series dvd's and best of all: two night shirts. They are the ones like a pajama top only three buttons and the length goes past my knees. For some reason I can't sleep anymore in regular pajamas or even shorts without them bunching all up in my... and driving me crazy.
Happy New Year to all!

René

I'm actually jealous! Great looking shop clock you have there Todd!

Not sure why any one would take issue with you showing a gift given to you?

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

As to what Santa brought me, well my Folks got my wife and I a 2 terrabit external hard drive so now we have ALL our family pictures (over 15k) of them on the drive, all our CD's and I am starting to back up all our digital home movies to this drive as well. What is cool is that they are all accessible via my Directv DVR using Media share. Pretty cool gift I think!
No guitar building goodies tho

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I got a cradle from John Hall to go with my William's binding cutter

I've got to agree with the snow slowing things down. We only got 17" here, but it stopped us from making the annual pilgrimage to the in-laws house in Clarksburg. It was great to spend a nice relaxed Christmas at home with just the wife for a change. That was by far the best gift.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA