Official Luthiers Forum!

Talk about the world before written history....

Honestly, I don't know the answers to all of these. Lance certainly knows more of the details than I do, but I will fill in where I can.

I was one of the first brood that came to the OLF. Initially as a member, but as time marched on Lance and I started working on technical tools for the forum eventually a revision of the software and an investment in the hardware to run the site. I co-located the server at my company's facility. Somewhere between joining and launching OLF 2.0 Lance and I formally joined forces and became partners on the OLF.

Interestingly, we didn't actually meet face to face until the ASIA 05 show. In fact, that event was much like a homecoming for the OLFers at the time.

I honestly don't remember who ALL of the first batch of members, but folks that are right at the top of mind are: BobC, Bruce Dickey, Don Atwood, Matt Gage, John Osthoff, Lance, Me, Dave Bland, Tim McKnight, Stan Thompson, JJ, the Kinnaird brothers, Sylvan Wells, Don Williams, Paul Davis, John How, Howard Klepper, Paul Woolson, John Hall, Robbie O'Brein, John Elshaw, Michael Payne, Keith MacKenzie, Roy Ott, Hank Mauel.... and I am sure I am omitting a ton... these are the guys I could think of in 30 seconds as I write this.

I don't remember who the VERY first sponsor was, but if I was a bettin' man, I would suspect it was the zoot man - BobC. Jason Voth was another early sponsor, but I think the zoot man was first. We began formalizing some of our sponsorship programs as the new software launched. That was when we really felt like we had a platform to seek formal sponsorships.

I think as we shed this software shell for our new home Lance and I have several new ideas for both the OLF and sattelite sites that will contribute to the luthier community. But one step at a time....   

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Great idea for a topic BTW...

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

New forum put on line 8-19-2003
Below are a few of the first words this baby mumbled
You can find all this in the -OLD- archives at the top in the brown headder.

Name's, who we are ? --------(Lance) 8/19/2003
Re: Name's, who we are ? --------(BobC) 8/19/2003
Re: Name's, who we are ? --------(Lance) 8/19/2003
Binding 8/19/2003
Re: Binding 8/19/2003
Maybe John O could help here as well, ---(Lance) 8/19/2003
I've seen John's binding jig (Dave M) 8/19/2003
Re: I've seen John's binding jig (Dave M) 8/21/2003
Re: Binding--------------(Lance) 8/19/2003
Re: Binding--------------(Lance) 8/19/2003
Hi BOB! Lance) 8/19/2003
Re: Hi Lance (Bob) 8/19/2003
Sure am (Lance) 8/19/2003
BobC 8/19/2003
Not sure yet, I will try to fingure that out (Lance) 8/19/2003
Another Test 8/19/2003
Re: Another Test 8/19/2003
pic test 8/19/2003
Matt, are you working on any new guitars yet? 8/19/2003
just getting finished as we speak...... 8/22/2003 1:50:22 PM
Re: Matt, are you working on any new guitars yet? Matt 8/22/2003 12:30:21 PM
Re: Matt, are you working on any new guitars yet? Matt 8/22/2003 12:29:23 PM
Make sure to post some pictures! Lance Kragenbrink 8/22/2003 3:01:35 PM
new forum 8/19/2003
Very Cool! 8/19/2003
Very Cool! 8/19/2003
New forum put on line 8-19-2003 8/19/2003
Please feel free to post questions or comments here. 8/19/2003
Re: Please feel free to post questions or comments here. 8/20/2003

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

This is a very cool thread!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Wow... nice little history lesson, especially for a new guy like myself.

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"All women are crazy. The trick is finding one with a particular brand of crazy that you can tolerate on a daily basis."
-Sherman

Along with all who have been mentioned, I'd like to also include a few others who seem to have dropped off the face of the earth.

Where are they now?
...Karl Bastche
...Paul Schulte
...Dave Mitchell
...etc.

I'm sure there are others...but I remember these guys in particular because they offered so much help to me in my formative years.

Bob C. was indeed making guitars way back then and he was a true mainstay for lots of advice on building jigs as well as guitars. BTW...it tickles me everytime I visit the Zootman...he still buys all the new jigs and tools for building guitars while at the same time building new sheds to accommodate his new zoot purchases. I honestly think he enjoys seeing his wood come to life and find its voice as much as he ever enjoyed building guitars. Nonetheless, I'd love to see him build another masterpiece instead of playing my 2nd rate substitutes all day long.

Another great past practice were the group buys folks would organize. Of particular note was the great EIR purchase directly from India that Bruce Dickey organized. He did a wonderful job of getting some great sets at unbelievably low prices. And nobody was ever more welcoming than Bruce in those early days...he was the self-appointed PR maven who always made everyone feel like part of the family.

I remember feeling so priveledged when Lance and others emailed me to join the OLF...at that time, many of us were frequenting the other forums where there were more advanced builders. The OLF had few, if any professional builders as I recall. Matt and John O were just on the verge of attaining orbit as well as the K Bros. The OLF was a great place for new builders as I believe it is to this day...it has always been more for rookie-friendly IMO than other sites.

Cool post...Kinda pleasantly nostalgic to recall those early days. I'm sure others will be able to add more to the history of the OLF.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Lance...Where can we find October through December 2003 posts?

The archives don't seem to have those months listed. It was during that period that I joined. I wanted to get some laughs at the stupid questions I used to ask...and hopefully conclude that they have gotten less stupid over the years!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Wow what a great post. I knew I was one of the first to post on the forum but not THE FIRST. After Lance of course.
Brings back lots of good memories. JJ your right my friend. I keep buying various jigs and fixtures and tools in the hopes of one day finding some time to build. Lot's of nice wood to choose from. Some day Hesh

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

[QUOTE=JJ Donohue] Lance...Where can we find October through December 2003 posts?

The archives don't seem to have those months listed. It was during that period that I joined. I wanted to get some laughs at the stupid questions I used to ask...and hopefully conclude that they have gotten less stupid over the years![/QUOTE]

JJ, thats all I have left, it was a real nightmare to archive on those days, every single post was a separate page that had to be copied to a new directory, I was never so glad to get the new software going so I did not have to do that anylonger.
Also, you may recall, back then we were going through several different providers becuse we kept going off line.

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

It's hard to believe I've been a member for only 2.5 years! I was "bitten" 2 years earlier. However, the fact that I am still just a mere dreamer and wannabe, does not deminish the way I feel at home on this wonderful forum!!!!!!

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DES - Farwell, MI

THIS MONTH is my two year anniversary !!!!!



There were only 200 or so members when I joined and I remember Lance giving a b/s set to member #300 when he joined. That was a milestone.      It's still the best forum, by far, but I really miss the days when it was small and a lot more like a group of friends talking shop and shooting the bull. Progress sucks.

This is certainly the most expensive place I've been to. This forum has cost me a fortune. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Great thread.  It is nice for us new guys to see the development of this great forum. 

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

good memories for sure.

long live the OLF

I DeLurked on this forum on 14-apr-04 about 9 months after it started. I still come here every day. I don't always post though.

I was a late comer to the core group. The forum had just tuned one when Don Williams lead me here. See it all Don's fault. I too have fond memories when this was a small group and more of a social club but thing must change and the premise remains the same To share our knowledge and friendship with all. Back then there was a core of about 20 that were daily or maybe hourly contributors. I was the the big mouth or fast poster back then. I caught up the the number one poster with in a year. That the honorable Mr. Dickey by the way.

With all my fond memories I would have to say I do not want to go back. Because we then would not have members Like my buddy Hesh, Oldman, Peterm. and I could go on for an hour. Everyone makes this place what it is. The good the bad and ugly all have a part in making this my daily getaway.

I've only got one thing to add, "What a long strange trip it's been"

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

[QUOTE=Don A] I've only got one thing to add, "What a long strange trip it's been" [/QUOTE]

Trucking, I got my chips cashed in. I keep Trucking like the dud I met. We keep trucking to see what else we find. We just keep truking on.

[QUOTE=MichaelP] I would have to say I do not want to go back. Because we then would not have members Like my buddy Hesh, Oldman, Peterm. [/QUOTE]
Indeed! Also, Alan C., Howard K., Frank F., Rick T., and everybody else!

I'm wondering when the member password system was started? I was computer-less for a while during that time, so I couldn't "officially" enlist as a member right away.

Wow, I just looked, 18th of next month and it will be 2 years I been leaching off you guys

Cheers

Kim (the greatest procrastinator of all time)

Hey! what gives?? my spelling errors were just highlighted with a red underline. Could this be the new software???

Oh, no edit button, same old software, new mozilla browser.

Yep!  I noticed the same thing when I switched to Mozilla Firefox.  It is very nice to have a spell check that works.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars