Official Luthiers Forum!

Well.... At least in the same State...

I've recently accepted a position working for McPherson Guitars so I'll be moving north to WI. I'm really exceited by the wonderful possibilites this new job holds. More time with my family, a great position, and I'll get to work with some awesome guys up there. I've never made a ton of money building guitars (I've don't think many do), and it's further a strain as I support my family of 4 solely with my earnings. Consider extreme costs of insurance, ect, and I'm always broke. Not being so will be a nice change. And I'll still be doing what I love. They have some very interesting designs there, and the standards of craftsmanship they hold are scary they are so precise.

I'll be clearing out a bunch of my shop to help on the move...I'll be putting them at my site for sale soon so if you've been wanting a good deal on some stuff you might check it out..it will be all kinds of odd stuff ranging from wood, tools, old shoes, jigs ect...ok so maybe not the old shoes...

Anyway so I'll have to drop in on Woolson and Watkins and bring my video camera and then share some stuff here...

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

John,

Congratulations, sounds like a great opportunity for you and your family. While I've always been a westerner, I spent a fair amount of time in Minnesota and Wisconsin on projects for work. Nicest bunch of people I ever met. I'm sure you'll be happy!

_________________
Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Good luck to ya John! Sounds like it will be a rewarding experience. It's awful cold up that way though...

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Only one word comes to mind! WOW!

John, that's an incredible opportunity! Congratulations! Well-deserved, I might add.






Rats, I was lookin' for some old shoes too....


I really like some of the stuff McPherson is doing. They are certainly innovative, and you should be challenged.Don Williams39109.7239236111

_________________
"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."

I talked to John today and congratulated him but would like to do so publicly as well.
The downside of him moving here is that he will become a beer snob very quickly. We brew some mighty fine beer in WI. (though Watkins wouldn't know anything about that because he lives in Milwaukee home of some of the worst beer on the planet )
Anyway, welcome to the Badger state John, the doormat is always out (hough is might be under a foot of fresh powder) and the beer is always cold. Pwoolson39109.7228125

It is good to hear that you seem to have found a nice place to work, what is somewhat discouraging is to hear that a fine builder such as you can't make a decent living working on your own. I completely understand that you long for a steady paycheck when you are a sole provider for a family BTW. Hopefully the work environment at McPherson Guitars will be inspiring for you, I'm sure you will be a treasured worker.

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I think there's something really great about creative work in a team. Congratulations!!

An ideal situation; regular income, less hours, better pay per hour than a sole Luthier.

I'll think differently next time I see a McPherson...Sam Price39109.7377546296

Sounds great John! Good Luck with your new job up there in the frozen northland.I have heard a lot of good things about McPherson geetars so you should enjoy it.

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

John, you were the one who invited me here and will forever remember it and be thankful for it.

Sad that we won't be able to see no more Mayes guitar but i too understand the financial burden that you went through supporting your family, our pal Russell Rose took the same decision last fall and i totally find it courageous. Thankfully and fortunately, you'll still be working around guitars so in a sense, knowing that makes me happy for you.

Good luck to you friend!

Serge

John,
Congrats on the new job! I do wish you well in your new venture, and I'm sure you will do an awesome job for them too. Does this mean that you will not make guitars for customers anymore under the mayes guitar brand? I hope not, as I love seeing your elegant style, and always get great ideas from you! Maybe you can send me some more jig ideas
Tracy

_________________
Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Congrats!!

make no mistake there will still be Mayes Guitars. I'm just not taking
anymore orders. I'll build whatever inspires me and either sell em or keep
em. But I'll never stop making Mayes guitars/Ukes/Whatever. I actually am
looking forward (after I finish off the ones I have one order) to making
whatever inspires me, and not being bound to what a customer wants but
merely bound by my imagination, and whims..

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

ALL RIGHT!

All the best to you John!!
What a great adventure for you and a great plus for the new Co. your joining. Are they lucky to have you there.
I'll be praying for you and hope you are succesful and happy.
Stay posted to us all and let us know what's going on.
Oh to be young again!!
Those days are gone for me, but I'm on a new adventure....try to be healthy and have fun too!!

May God bless you and your family John.

walter

BEST TO YOU John...you've been quite the inspiration for lots of people.

What a great opportunity. Quite a coup for McPherson, I'd say!

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

Congratulations, John

You are gonna love Wisconsin, beautiful country, and wonderful people.
I'm an Iowan, but I'm only about 3 hours from Sparta. I've been hopeing
to make the trip up there for the last couple of years... Maybe this
summer.

long

_________________
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

All the best john in your new endeaver. Please keep us informed about your new job.John How39109.8344907407

_________________
Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

John,
best of luck to you! You know whats best for you and I'm sure you'll do great!!
Keep us posted...

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

That sounds great John. Best of Luck to you and your family.
Please stay on the OLF. You wisdom is massively appreciated

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

Congratulations and Good Luck!

Mike

John congrats to you my friend. My dad was from Milwaukee so I spent many a summer there. Very nice city. Don't listen to Paul they have good beer in Milwaukee.
Of course you have to exclude Old Milwaukee.

_________________
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

John way to go. What an adventure this will be. And I'm glad that Mayes Guitars will still be around. Can't wait to see what you make by being inspired.

_________________
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

Big move. Good luck. I think you won't regret it.

You may be in for a bit of shock coming from OK to WI. Be prepared for a more cosmopolitan, sophisticated culture. You will be expected to comment knowledgeably about things like the bouquet of the beer.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.