Official Luthiers Forum!

I would just like to welcome Mike Collins to the OLF. He made his first post on Shawn's thread about the Romanillos topwood selection. I think that Michael is quite a remarkable luthier (and person!) and would encourage you to check out his site and see some of his fine work. He and I have been talking for about a year and he is guiding me through a flamenco build. Mike also does some instructional stuff in his area of New York. You all will love his rosettes and his atypically classical headstocks!

Mike, it is great to have you aboard!

Thanks for your fabulous advice and encouragement!

Shane

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Canada

Welcome aboard Mike! So glad to have you on the forum.

Your guitars are stunning

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

Hey! Michael! Nice to see you here!
I can't wait to see what you do with that Imbuia I sold you!

Don

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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.
Only badly."

Your guitars are amazing!Welcome to the OLF Michael.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Welcome Sir...thanks for being here.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

You guys talking about this good looking fella

Michael Collins

If so, hes been a member since before the new software.

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

Welcome to the OLF and our new software Michael!

WOW what a cool shop! Thanks for the link Lance!

Welcome to the OLF, Mike.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Yeah, Michael's been here for some time. Bet he's enjoying the extra love, though!

Great to have you here Mike!

Indeed, your guitars are really awesome!

It's true....he has been a member for a while, but he made his first post today! I am hoping that he finds the time to share some of the tremendous things he has helped me with from time to time.

Oh ya, his shop looks a bit different these days....it's a bit bigger .

ShaneShane Neifer38953.0313425926

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Canada

Michael,

I really love what you've done with those spalted rosettes!

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

Thanks for all the nice replys.
I have very little time to spend on the computer but I will do my best to add to the OLF as much as I can.
I absolutely love making guitars and spending time with
other guitarmakers!
It certainly is an addiction!
The OLF has so much great info and brotherhood that was not available when I started making guitars.You new makers have a headstart with all the info availbale here.
I just displayed at the Newport Guitar Festival and came away with many new guitarmaking friends and the climate of help and exchange was alive there also.thanks
Shane
Mike Collins

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Mike Collins

Hi Mike. I just popped back up to the Luthier's Bios Section, 'cause I remembered there was a Mike Collins in there. Just making sure this was who Shane was talking about. I think there are a few more Charles Fox students on the OLF. Woolson for one. Any others?

Welcome again and any time you can join in. I'm just the opposite, and need to spend less time on the computer and more time building guitars....

Don;
That wood smells good enough to eat!!
It will make great guitars-especially "Flammers"
Or flamencos in the real world!
Actually any stable wood as you know can be used for B & S but the wood you sent me was so good that It will have to be a special order for me to show it or use it !
I check your site as much as time allows me to see what other nice sets your selling!
Nice to see you at Newport!
mike

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Mike Collins

[QUOTE=Dickey]

Hi Mike. I just popped back up to the Luthier's Bios Section, 'cause I remembered there was a Mike Collins in there. Just making sure this was who Shane was talking about. I think there are a few more Charles Fox students on the OLF. Woolson for one. Any others?

Welcome again and any time you can join in. I'm just the opposite, and need to spend less time on the computer and more time building guitars.... [/QUOTE]



Hmmmmmmm. That looks like a butterball turkey hanging on the right, there. Luthier's secret?

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Hello again, Michael!

Paul

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

Hey Mike! Glad to see you finally post! I appreciated the recent visit, and look forward to catching up with you at thanksgiving.

If I have time I'll post o couple pix of Mike in his (expanding) shop

I want to thank Paul for his incredible inlay work and prices!
Terry thanks for coming by the shop and I hope the raffle for a great cause goes well!
Yes Ron that is a Butterball hanging there and I'm holding a one use only roasting pan!!
Boy those slivers hurt the gums!
This is a great place for us all to talk about our love of guitarmaking !!!!
Thanks to Lance for making it possible!
mike

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Mike Collins

Good to have you here, but I have to admit I'm a little bitter that you beat me
to the url.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

Dave;
Check out my sites opening page and you'll find another Collins web site there.
He is Michael of Canada and makes
Maccaferri type guitars!
I hope you find a U.R.L. that works for you !

Mc

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Mike Collins

[QUOTE=old man] Hmmmmmmm. That looks like a butterball turkey hanging on the right, there. Luthier's secret?
Ron[/QUOTE]

Look again Ron, that's an Advance Auto Parts bag. Evidently Michael does a bit of auto maintenance on the side, like me. Those guys at Advance are getting to know me on a first name basis and that ain't good.

I had a great time visiting Mike in his shop recently. I walked out with SOOO much more than I walked in with. I learned a good deal of great information, and got to sharpen my edges, so to speak.

Here's Mike describing a guitar.



Here he is (Looking like he's) telling not to touch it


And some rosettes:






Thanks again Mike. Looking forward to getting together at Thanksgiving time.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend time with builders. Mike was the first builder I ever met many years ago. He was very generous then and still is.

He also turned me onto Shane Neifer's lutz tops. They're noticeably lighter, and stiff. I can't wait to build with his stuff.

Mike also trained under a famous builder in Vermont in the early days of his career. Can you guess who? HINT: here's a picture of his mentor's house:


answer: Charles Fox's log homeTerry Stowell38957.9237384259

Terry;
Great pics -I think!
We wired the new shop today and started the insulation!
Finally more room than I need-at least for the 3 or 4 years!
Can't wait to see ya in November!
"If you love what you do,you share it with others"
Mike

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Mike Collins