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I've been thinking about this for a while now, and thought I'd post the question to the forum.

A luthier friend of mine who happened to stop by an estate sale noticed some luthier tools spread out on one of the tables. He got to talking with a member of the family and learned that at one point the old guy who passed made a few guitars. Long story short, my friend was invited to see the old guy's shop space. Up on a shelf he noticed several very dusty back and side sets. They turned out to be Brazilian Rosewood... It was likely going to be chucked into a dumpster and get buried somewhere because the family didn't have any idea what it was, or what it was worth.

Some of us have enough wood to build a couple of guitars. Some of us have enough to build hundreds.

Much of the wood we have is irreplaceable!

What will happen to the wood? Did you mention it in your will? Is there a local luthier or school that gets your stash?

Any thoughts?

Cheers, Michael

I told my wife to sell everything, but we don't really know how that would be accomplished.
We have a local luthier club, I suppose she could have a "shop sale" and invite all the members.

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Mine will be stuffed in my casket!

Maybe cremation with excellent aromas from burning exotics!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I'd use it for a funeral pyre, but its only big enough to toast me like a marshmallow. Otherwise, I'll have everthing labeled, priced cheap, and sold in the classifieds to new builders only. I could add that poor luthiers could buy as well, but thats just too large gene pool to sell to!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Ironically, I was at a birthday / breakfast party this morning when this very topic came up in conversation. Actually, it involved furniture walnut. But I expressed interest in seeing it, because there might be some instrument wood in the stash. If not...well...I build furniture, too.

The moral, though, is to label or otherwise make one's family aware of the value of the stash, so it can be sold to someone who will do something good with it.

I've recently purchased wood from two deaths. One a murder that happened in Santa Rosa ca. Allied has all the wood and is selling it for the widow.
The other was a harp builder that died and his wife sold the storage unit for 600$. Among other things there were 6 vintage amps and a full unit of curly koa . Buy the time I got a hold of some of the koa it was 45$ a board ft. Sad the wife was clueless of the value.
I have six or seven sets of Brazilian , a set off the tree enough wood to build 50 or so guitars. My wife is well informed of it'd value.

I have thought to keep a catalog of wood and tools (maybe with pictures) with a low medium and high sale price.

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Pat

I guess this means. Have to tell the wife how much the wood actually costs...

I would hope it returns to dust, just as I will...

Knowing My Wife , it will be used to start a fire in the Deck fire pit !

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I've not really thought about it but I'm sure my wife would consider selling it to the luthier community if for anything to see that it gets used. Other wise some one will discover a stash of old wood and get real excited about it, that works fine for me too. I don't think, after the fact, I'm gonna care much either way. Actually maybe I'll just take it with me and open up a harp and lyre shop.

I've known lots of folks in the position of dealing with this kind of thing. Here are a couple of thoughts

So, sure - have the stuff in your will to make certain everything goes where you want it to, but that can be a moving target and not easy to maintain. Or cover it with "All my tools and supplies go to. . ."

If you are interested in protecting your survivors (family, etc.) then get a friend involved. Put that friend in the will as an advisor for selling your stuff, so your wife or whomever won't get terribly shortchanged. You can easily structure a deal so the friend gets a percentage, say 30%.

It's not a difficult problem, but it pays to sit down and at least talk about it from time to time, so people know what to do when the time comes.

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Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
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I don't have a large number of things, but I do keep a somewhat casual catalog of what I have, what I paid for each item, and what I think would be a reasonable resale value. I like your idea of including a friend in the process, Frank.

I want the rest of you to know that you should feel free to will your stuff to me.

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George :-)

Waddy...

To mix with the ash
of this luthier's stash
on a funeral pyre
after I "retire"
doesn't strike me as good.

...

It's a big waste of wood.

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StuMusic

What will happen to my wood stash when I die? Regarding money, they say "You can't take it with you," and it's probably good that my wood won't come with me. It needs a temperature-controlled environment . . .

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Tim Allen
"Never hurry, never rest."

Thanks for that, Stu! It's a good one!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I have given my wife instructions if something were to happen to me.
She has contact information for a good friend that will liquidate my stuff for her.
My oldest daughter will take over managing the OLF.
Its tough to think of these things, but planning is a bit comforting. As Frank said, get it in writing.
A will is the best place to have these instructions.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I recently had a great friend die very unexpectedly, and it has made we think about all this as well. Most of my wood is still in board or plank form, so perhaps it is time to get cutting so that the value is maximized for my heir(s). I too plan to name someone in my will who could help my wife (assuming I go first) to liquidate the tools and wood. I am also trying to think of people or organizations who I could donate tools to if I'm still around and not using them anymore.
One thing I hope to accomplish before that inevitable day, is to make instruments for some people who are dear to me, and gift them to those folks in my will, as a way of remembrance. I figure if you're going to leave this world, then leave it with some style!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
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Interesting subject for me right now…I was just diagnosed with lung cancer, and though I expect to fully recover (it was caught miraculously early and the doctors are optimistic) I have started getting my tools and wood cataloged, because I don't want my partner to have to try and figure stuff out. I don't have a large stash, but there's quite a bit of value between tools and wood. I would have my spouse start with the OLF classifieds for the wood and small jigs and tools, and have to figure out the best way to sell the bigger equipment.
But I don't have any thoughts of my stash going any time soon…so close your mouths, boys ))).
Good subject though, because I heard a sad story (and I'm sure there are many like it) of a well known luthier supplier employee coming to "inventory" the wood of a deceased friend of a luthier friend, and she was about to get ripped off by this guy. Fortunately, the luthier I'm friends with knew the value of her stash and took this guy to the woodshed, figuratively speaking, and the wood ended up selling for a fair price. Sad to think one of "our kind" would take advantage like that!

Beth here's hoping everything comes out well with you.


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I plan to turn my wood stash into guitars before I die, thereby rendering it worthless; and sparing my wife at least one problem.

Yeah, my guitars are worthless too!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Beth,

Godspeed to full recovery...

Get well soon Beth!
Thanks for your story, it once again reinforces the need to have your affairs in order, regardless if you are healthy not. One never knows.
One thing that my wife and I have procrastinated on and for no good reason is getting our two girls named as beneficiaries if we should ever pass at the same time (think car crash). We literally want everything we own to be split between our two girls. We must get this taken care of..

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