Official Luthiers Forum!

Brock, Lance, Peter and all of you OLFers,

     What can I possibly say that will do your generosity and compassion
justice. I saw the post for the auction on the forum just hours after it was
placed and scrolled past it since I'm in no position to be bidding on any
zoot right now. I thought it would be best to simply avoid the temptation
and disappointment and to leave it to the guys who are buying wood. It
was only after an email from a good friend mentioned the auction in
asking how it was going. It was then that I surfed over to see it and was
really touched by the effort.

   I have to say that this has been a difficult time for me and my family,
but it has been a great time of learning and growing in ways I've never
had to before.

    My friendships with folks online, especially those here at the OLF have
become increasingly more important to me since they have been a
constant source of encouragement and comfort while i've found myself
with more time at home and free. The simple fact that so many of you
graciously offered to help made a deep impression on my wife and I, but
that you've all gone so far above and beyond anything we would ever
expected has humbled us.

    My wife cried when I told her about the auction and all of the awesome
contributions that were made to its contents as it progressed. Like any
guitar builder, I love my wood and and love just having it in my shop so
she fully understands the magnitude and selflessness of your giving.

    There's something special about having great wood on a shelf in the
shop, but also about dreaming about what you'll build from it and what
pieces you'll match it with for optimal visual and tonal impact. So many
times I've just flipped through my personal wood stash and envisioned
what each set of wood will become as I find time to build with them
eventually. It's something that can drive us as builders in very unique
ways.

    I know it's the same for all of us so I understand how truly generous
these offerings are on each giver's part. One of the toughest things that
anyone can do is to separate a luthier from a great piece of wood and his
building supplies and that alone speaks volumes about this whole
auction.

    Isn't it funny that even when I claim to be at a loss for words I can still
write a rediculously long post? How can I say enough good about you all
and the community here at the OLF? I'm honored and humbled to be
counted as a friend and member here.

     To all who donated wood and parts and supplies to help us and to all
who bid as well, my family and I offer you our deepest thanks. I look
forward to recovering and getting to the place where I'll be able to be a
part of the giving when someone else has a need. If I can be even a small
part of helping someone else feel what we're feeling here in my house, I'll
be thrilled to take part.

    Thanks for including me as part of this community.

Thanks again to all,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega GuitarsKevin Gallagher39064.9844560185

Kevin,

I'm positive I speak for all of us here when I say that you mean a great deal
to us both personally and professionally. I know that we are all very glad to
help out in our own little way.

I pray that you and your family will know peace through this time, and
please, please...please do not ever hesitate to call on me if I can ever do
anything to help.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Cool ain't it

Great words John.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Dear Kevin, your situation although tough on you and your family is just a blessing in disguise that's occuring so the lives of many are being touched by His grace. As a matter of fact, since we reap what we sow, you are just harvesting all the good that you've been spreading on this small planet, in many hearts by being the generous person that you are. So EASY to give and so HARD to receive, i know the feeling when we are proud but if He chose this way to humble you, i'm considering to go down on my knees and pray that he will make you and me stronger in our faith.

God bless you and your family my friend

Serge

Who is Kevin Gallagher anyway?

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

[QUOTE=peterm] Who is Kevin Gallagher anyway?
[/QUOTE]

Just kidding!

Kevin, you are very welcome and we are all praying for your speedy recovery!!

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

Merry Christmas Kevin.

God Bless you Kevin...Just get well and that will be payment enough for all.
There's a swell bunch of folks here that care about each other and you are no exception.

There has been so much materials donated I've decided to build a guitar for you to sell and that should put some much needed cash that I'm sure you can use.
When I get going it won't take long and I will mail it to you. I hope that will help.

May God Bless you and your family.

Respectfully yours,

walter

Kevin
We are like a great big family. Always willing to help. Just get better we
hope to see your awesome work here again soon.

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Hope your family has a Happy Holiday!

Yeah, I echo what others have said or implied, and add my take: From the perspective of trying to attain a level of expertise in this wonderful craft, don't forget that you're what a lot of us are trying to become. Your guitars are amazing, you freely share what you've learned - and how you do things - and you encourage others. A lot of people would like to have your luthiery chops.

But many of us are more impressed with the kind of man you are: generous, humble, Godly, and trying to make the world a little better than you found it. Now there's a craft we should all be striving to learn, eh?


Bill

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

Kevin,

Whatever comes around.......

_________________
now known around here as Pat Foster
_________________
http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Kevin
   I was in your shoes about 10 years ago. That is how I got into luthiery after haveing my shoulder repaired and going through 2 surgeries. As of today I am fine and can do all I need to.
    The power of prayer and human spirit will get you and your family through this. I hope you recover and get back to your health fast.
John Hall

Get well very soon Kevin...We're all pulling for you!!

Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, sometimes it is the times of hardship that really show how important the little things are and how the rest is just icing! Hug and hold your family and just get well!

Kind Regards

Shane

_________________
Canada

Obviously you deserve it Kevin
Godspeed on your healing, I regret that Im in no position to help, but I do wish you all the best.
Cheers
Charliewood

definition of a luthier, and good person. Your "music" resonates from inside you, and through your guitars.

The inlay is going to be consistant with the theme- helping, supporting and a group effort for the whole, for the one. It's going to be marine life, of course. Tom set me "free" on this one to come up with something special to commemorate the guitar and it's mission.
I'll be sure to post when the development begins.
So much for the price limit.

Best, Craig Lavin

handcraftinlay.com

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Kevin, not much to add to the above, but I agree with it all. We're all striving to reach the bar that you have set both in your lutherie and your humanity. You are a hero to   
us. I hope, through all of this, that your family has the finest Christmas ever and it is a joy to be able to give back something.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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