Official Luthiers Forum!

Well I know most said not to sell an early guitar, you guys saw pictures of my #2 here a week or so ago, I had several players wanting it, so I sold it this week. I also received 2 commissions in the last week or so, wow, what just happened!

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Greg, congratulations! That's great news.
I'd only caution you about selling early guitars. The main reason is that your early work will likely have flaws. And if these flaws are what people see then that's what your reputation can be based on. It sucks but it's the hard truth.

I understand and appreciate that, thanks!

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Congratulations Greg!! You've been warned now lets see if it works out that way!

There must of been a reason that these guys wanted your guitars!!

Billy Dean Thomas

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Good on ya Greg but before submitting to deadlines to encounter, may i suggest you give yourself ample time to work on these comissions so you can breathe more easily in the eventuality of flaws that might occur during these builds, i just want to help you avoid too much pressure, that's all!

Good luck friend!

[quote] just want to help you avoid too much pressure, that's all! [/quote]

I like lots of pressure!! Around 14lbs/sq in is awesome!!

Billy Dean Thomas

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Yeah but where?

What a great atmosphere

[QUOTE=dunbarhamlin] What a great atmosphere [/QUOTE]
True, but we should also consider the gravity of the situation!

Hey Greg, congratulations! Tell us about your commissions--what 'chya gonna build?

Greg,
Congratulations!
To be honest it is a little hard for me to write that. I fear that you have started too early. Having exchanged a few emails and PM's with you, I trust you understand that I am on your side and wish you the best. If possible, I would postpone the commissions until you have more experience - at least another 2 guitars.
My first 2 builds went pretty smooth. I thought guitar making was pretty cool. Builds 3 and 4 were nightmares. I was so glad that those were not commissions. I hope your third and forth work much better than mine did.
I suspect that you won't find many builders here that will disagree with me. I played your second guitar. It was very nice. The biggest mistake you can make now is trying to go too fast.
I hope you don't mind my unrequested opinion. I truly am on your side.

I wise man once said that a man ought to get what he wishes for, and then have to live with it. Be careful what you wish for my friend.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

No problem Steve, I appreciate the input. From the FWIW category, they know what to expect based on agreed upon expectations....and I think I'm capable of doing better than the parameters that were set....Hope I'm correct!

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Congrats Greg!

Good Luck

Mike

I could not have said it better!

[QUOTE=Hesh1956]

Lastly there is another way to look at this.........

Some people, I am not one of them mind you, will get better and develop their skill level in a targeted pursuit to a greater degree with the presence of pressure. If money is on the line, reputation, deadlines, etc. some will perform at a higher level. To me this is the nightmare scenario but I do know people like this and for them taking on commissions early on may be a fast track to future success.


Congrats Greg!!
[/QUOTE]

Well stated, Hesh...I sink more 10 foot putts in tournaments than in towel-snapping rounds.

Good luck, Greg!

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

[QUOTE=GregG] No problem Steve, I appreciate the input. From the FWIW category, they know what to expect based on agreed upon expectations....and I think I'm capable of doing better than the parameters that were set....Hope I'm correct!

Greg[/QUOTE] Me too. Best of luck with your builds. Are you going to post some progress pics and let us know the specs?

BTW - I could easily be accused of the pot calling the kettle black.
I have on one occasion re-negotiated the price on a guitar - down. The owner is thrilled with the guitar and didn't even argue about the price reduction.   

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

[QUOTE=Billy T] [quote] just want to help you avoid too much pressure, that's all! [/quote]

I like lots of pressure!! Around 14lbs/sq in is awesome!!

Billy Dean Thomas
[/QUOTE]

Billy, it only takes about 5 oz to insert an epee blade between the ribs, through the middle and out the other side about six inches. 14 lbs would be excessive.

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Aoibeann

[quote]Billy, it only takes about 5 oz to insert an epee blade between the ribs, through the middle and out the other side about six inches. 14 lbs would be excessive.[/quote]

Gee... Lillian.... is that... a.... hint?

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Nope, just a bit of trivia. My son is a fencer.

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Aoibeann

Progress report, yeah...

I'm going to do my best to take photos along the way.

#3 will be a 25.4" scale 14 fret Dreadnaught with Lutz/Claro Walnut. Flamed Maple binding on the body and fretboard. Ebony bridge and fretboard. Walnut headplates. Abalone rosette. Gotoh Gold Tuners.

#4 will be a 25.4" scale 000-13 fretter in Lutz/?...customer still deciding between flamed Bubinga, Hond. Rosewood, EIR, Hond. Mahogany. most likely appointments will be similar to above guitar.

Thanks,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

[quote]Nope, just a bit of trivia. My son is a fencer.[/quote]

Woooh!! Good! I don't need another woman that wants to stab me! 5 is enough!!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

[QUOTE=Billy T] [quote]Nope, just a bit of trivia. My son is a fencer.[/quote]

Woooh!! Good! I don't need another woman that wants to stab me! 5 is enough!! [/QUOTE]

   5?! Oh Billy. Wow.

Well I can promise you that I will never be on that list of females looking to add a hole or three to your torso, well unless you intentionaly make me ruin a guitar. Then its a hole 'nother story.

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Aoibeann