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 Post subject: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:00 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:00 pm
Posts: 985
First name: Josh
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I was greatly saddened to hear just a few moments ago that Frank Ford, that giant of our craft, has passed. I never knew him personally but I spent innumerable hours learning from his writings both on his iconic website and on many forums, including this one. He was a true innovator and as talented a toolmaker as he was a luthier. He was one of my heroes in the craft. Rest in peace.



These users thanked the author joshnothing for the post (total 8): rbuddy (Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:18 pm) • Pat Foster (Mon Dec 18, 2023 3:02 pm) • jfmckenna (Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:34 pm) • SteveSmith (Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:18 am) • Michaeldc (Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:57 am) • Hesh (Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:00 am) • J De Rocher (Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:49 pm) • bcombs510 (Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:24 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:17 pm 
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Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:46 pm
Posts: 783
Location: Napa Valley
First name: David
Last Name: Foster
City: Napa
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 94558
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Frank Ford, what an incredible and giving luthier. He's done so much for the craft.

_________________
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https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/



These users thanked the author dofthesea for the post: joshnothing (Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:28 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:43 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5815
First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
Our craft and hobby is built on the shoulders of giants like Frank.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince



These users thanked the author Chris Pile for the post: joshnothing (Mon Dec 18, 2023 3:43 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:35 am 
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Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 1:11 pm
Posts: 2369
Location: Spokane, Washington
First name: Pat
Last Name: Foster
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Wow. Sad. He was a giant among us.

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formerly known around here as burbank
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:55 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:15 pm
Posts: 7369
First name: Ed
Last Name: Bond
City: Vancouver
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Thanks Frank for all the hard work and especially being willing to share your knowledge…



These users thanked the author meddlingfool for the post: joshnothing (Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:42 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:02 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 13370
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Just picked-up another Jack the Gripper as a Holiday present for a friend, Frank designed it. RIP



These users thanked the author Hesh for the post: joshnothing (Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:42 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:07 am 
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7371
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair
A good man and master of his craft who was happy to share what he knew. RIP indeed!

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"Music is what feelings sound like"


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:23 am 
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Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:44 am
Posts: 5484
First name: colin
Last Name: north
Country: Scotland.
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Sad news, its a huge loss. I have consulted his online pages for years, so much good information there.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.



These users thanked the author Colin North for the post: joshnothing (Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:43 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:43 am 
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Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 3059
First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I never met Frank Ford in person, but I have learned a great deal from his writings over the last 27 years, including some things that are at the heart of how I go about building instruments. I’m very grateful for the life and work of Frank Ford.



These users thanked the author doncaparker for the post: joshnothing (Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:43 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:28 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6256
Location: Virginia
That's too bad. It was always a treat to have Frank reply to one of your posts, felt like a personal conversation by one of the true Masters in the field and a truly great teacher. Rest in peace and Godspeed Mr. Ford your legacy will carry on.


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:26 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:05 pm
Posts: 852
Location: United States
First name: Josh
Last Name: French
City: Houston
State: TX
So many of us learned so much from him, and that will have a lasting impact on so many people's instruments. A sad day and a great loss. Rest peacefully Frank.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:31 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 12:50 pm
Posts: 3926
Location: United States
I'll never forget the opportunity I had to get his input 25 years ago on how to improve the salability of my guitars. I didn't implement all of his suggestions, and it took a long time to get what I did up to his standards, but it was a huge help. He embodied the open and sharing culture of American lutherie that has brought us all so far. He knew that whatever he shared would not hurt him, if only because it would take decades of the sort of hard work that he did for any beginner to catch up, and he'd be learning more all the time. We may now have the chance to reach his level, as a craftsman and a person, but I doubt many will exceed it.



These users thanked the author Alan Carruth for the post (total 3): joshnothing (Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:02 pm) • bcombs510 (Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:25 pm) • jfmckenna (Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:34 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:36 pm 
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Mahogany
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Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2019 4:56 pm
Posts: 41
First name: Daniel
Last Name: Russin
City: TUCSON
State: AZ
Zip/Postal Code: 85743
Country: US
Focus: Repair
Status: Amateur
Sad news indeed - I'm not much of a luthier (tinkerer would be generous) but I still learned a huge amount reading frets.com back in the day. I found it when I needed a pickup in a non-E Taylor and then read the whole site (multiple times)...even though I don't build or repair, that knowledge is invaluable when it comes to helping friends buy or sell or tweak instruments. I'm very grateful for him.


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:29 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 am
Posts: 3571
First name: Brad
Last Name: Combs
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Very sad news, RIP.

When Michael Bashkin interviewed him I seem to remember his praise of Frank for being a pioneer in working in the open, high tide raises all boats, etc… he will be missed. Being a late comer to building, I’ve benefitted immensely from his contributions.


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:03 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7371
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair
Frank used to occasionally post here some years ago. Learned a lot from him, mostly through his website.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:19 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:35 am
Posts: 362
Location: Hopkinton, MA
First name: Robert
Last Name: Ionta
City: Hopkinton
State: Massachusetts
Zip/Postal Code: 01748
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I’ve also learned a lot from Frank Ford’s website. He was a great teacher and hands-on demonstrator. His methods are always practical and efficient - even elegant.


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:21 pm 
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Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2019 4:56 pm
Posts: 41
First name: Daniel
Last Name: Russin
City: TUCSON
State: AZ
Zip/Postal Code: 85743
Country: US
Focus: Repair
Status: Amateur
Going to make some caesar salad this week in his memory...watch out kids!
http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Fun/Kit ... aesar.html



These users thanked the author Melt in the Sun for the post: Hesh (Tue Dec 19, 2023 4:20 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:10 pm 
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Koa
Koa
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Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:45 pm
Posts: 1332
Location: Calgary, Canada
Status: Amateur
I've dreaded the day as I knew he wasn't a spring chicken. I've used a ton of tips from his Frets website and ride on his shoulders in my minimal way. He is one of my luthiery heros and near the top. RIP.


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 5:40 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:46 pm
Posts: 526
First name: Mark
Last Name: McLean
City: Sydney
State: New South Wales
Zip/Postal Code: 2145
Country: Australia
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Frank was a visionary teacher and communicator, a phenomenally knowledgeable luthier, and just a lovely guy. When you look at the quality and quantity of stuff on frets.com, and then recall that he compiled most of that stuff back in the 1990s when the internet was in its wild infancy - it is extraordinary. I started to get into guitar building and tinkering about 18 years ago and I ate up everything that Frank wrote. He achieved the perfect balance of technical content, clear communication and humour. Also excellent photography and presentation.

I live in Australia but in 2007 I was traveling in the SanFran Bay area and of course made a couple of visits to Gryphon Stringed Instruments. I bought a Martin 000-15 as a 21st birthday present for my son (and really should have bought that used Lowden that I tried and still think about). Anyway, Frank was in the house, sitting up at the repair bench in a loud Hawaiian shirt, and I went up and introduced myself as a wannabe luthier from Australia who loved frets.com and thanked him for all of the great teaching. He then gave me about 45 minutes of his valuable time showing me all over his workshop and pulling all kinds of cool instruments out of cases in the back of the shop. I felt like a kid being given a personal tour of the candy shop by Willy Wonka himself. Such a generous and self-effacing guy, but totally boss at the same time. Years later my son also visited Gryphon and mentioned it to me later - "I chatted for ages with this old guy in a really bad shirt who knew everything about vintage Martins, so cool!". I said, "yep you obviously met Frank". Farewell Sir, you were one-of-a-kind.



These users thanked the author Mark Mc for the post (total 2): joshnothing (Tue Dec 19, 2023 3:16 pm) • jfmckenna (Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:16 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 9:22 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6256
Location: Virginia
Melt in the Sun wrote:
Going to make some caesar salad this week in his memory...watch out kids!
http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Fun/Kit ... aesar.html


Oh man! I never came across the Luthiers Kitchen page hahahah

Like I said Frank is very much still alive in the hearts of many and his legacy will live on.


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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 9:47 am 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2013 8:16 am
Posts: 482
First name: Brian
City: U.P.
State: Michigan
Focus: Build
Yup, as said by so many already, whether it was his thoughts on glue or a new repair, there was always Frank to fall back on for some sage advice or a different way to look at a process or method. An icon in the world of luthiery. I think EVERYONE who has held an instrument and a tool at the same time knows Frank -- how often can you say that?

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Brian R, Wood Mechanic
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 Post subject: Re: Vale Frank Ford
PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:49 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2017 8:42 pm
Posts: 397
First name: Pierre
Last Name: Castonguay
City: Québec, Qc
Country: Canada
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
I'm so sad about Frank's passing.

I have never met him, yet I feel like I've always known Frank. He taught me so much with all the knowledge he's shared over so many years, I sure feel he's been one of my most beloved teachers. We repair guys and gals, as a community, owe so much to Frank's generosity. I'm just hoping he fully realized what an impact his selfless sharing of knowledge and expertise had on so many.

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends… all over the world.


Pierre
Guitares Torvisse

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These users thanked the author Smylight for the post: joshnothing (Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:16 am)
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