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| Meeting John Watkins...what a treat! http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=12131 |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Mon May 21, 2007 5:51 am ] |
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I had the priveledge of meeting our OLF brother, John Watkins last weekend. John is one of the most accomplished guitarmakers I ever met...his guitars had me jaw-dropping...especially when he started shredding some of his outrageous electrics! The only problem is that his shop has been converted to a CNC room and he has little time for mere guitar-building these days. And how impressive the CNC operation is indeed! I don't know much about CNC except for the fact that he makes necks, bridges, etc. in minutes where it takes me hours or days to accomplish the same part! This is very serious stuff...the jigs and holding fixtures alone are as detailed and impressively built as any of his complex archtop guitars! In spite of all of his automation, John has the most extensive collection of chisels that I have ever seen...about 30 all lined up above a well-organized workbench. Thanks, John for the wonderful "cheesehead hospitality." I felt guilty visiting John on Saturday as he missed a golf opportunity on a perfect 70* day...especially since the next day was in the mid 40's! John's is now my 11th OLF shop visit and each one is memorable. John's is sure to be the most complex and technologically oriented. Thanks for the time, John...I hope to see you next time on a first tee somewhere! |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Mon May 21, 2007 7:00 am ] |
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OMG, no...not the dreaded Ann Arbor Wizard of Foul Wind directing his fury in my direction!!! Anything but that...Oh the humanity! 
Actually, I failed to pack my camera when I made the trip...silly me. The equipment looks like a torture machine from a James Bond spy novel...you get strapped down to the rack and the router travels around with its bit tickling you according to the loaded program. Anybody for a Strat outline carved in one's chest? |
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| Author: | John Watkins [ Mon May 21, 2007 8:06 am ] |
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I'm glad you enjoyed the visit, JJ. I did as well. Thanks for the nice comments. Out of curiousity, I actually counted the chisels for the first time just now. There are 92. 
Hesh, hasn't everyone seen enough pics of my shop? 
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| Author: | Pwoolson [ Mon May 21, 2007 8:30 am ] |
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Soooooooo Johnny, tell the folks at home WHY you have so many chisels. 
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| Author: | John Mayes [ Mon May 21, 2007 9:21 am ] |
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he is compensating... I need to get up that way with Woolson soon... |
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| Author: | John Watkins [ Mon May 21, 2007 9:42 am ] |
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Woolson, yes, I'm too lazy to sharpen more than once every six months. Mayes, it's a good x-mas present for my wife to get. The chisels, I mean.... Ok, here's one. How's that? 
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| Author: | Pwoolson [ Mon May 21, 2007 10:09 am ] |
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that doesn't look like chisels. C'mon, show us the real tools not some stinkin' robot. Everyone knows it only takes a 4th grade education to load parts into that thing.
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| Author: | James Orr [ Mon May 21, 2007 10:24 am ] |
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hahaha, this is awesome. I want more pics too! I talked with John for a few minutes on the phone when I ordered my guitar neck and really enjoyed it. We contrasted my toolbox to his, lol. |
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| Author: | John Watkins [ Mon May 21, 2007 10:52 am ] |
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Ok, ladies. Here you go. I think you should all also post some, though. 
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| Author: | WaddyThomson [ Mon May 21, 2007 12:53 pm ] |
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Wow! Nice Shop & cool tools. Thanks for the pics. 
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| Author: | Anthony Z [ Mon May 21, 2007 2:59 pm ] |
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John thanks for the glimpse. You've got more tied up in chisels than I do for my whole shop
Thanks for coming through with the pictures and getting JJ off the hook (he's such a disappointment )
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| Author: | Billy T [ Mon May 21, 2007 6:03 pm ] |
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Great- Chisel envy!!! Just what I need!
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| Author: | Bruce Dickey [ Tue May 22, 2007 12:16 am ] |
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PROOF that John's a chisler.
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| Author: | peterm [ Tue May 22, 2007 5:20 pm ] |
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Man.... need some more chisels??
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| Author: | Bruce Dickey [ Wed May 23, 2007 12:51 am ] |
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| Author: | Alain Desforges [ Wed May 23, 2007 2:37 am ] |
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Wow! Outstanding looking shop! |
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