Official Luthiers Forum!

After reading an earlier post about the KG auction 3 it has prompted me to finally say something that has been bugging me for a while and I think needs to be said for all to see. I had this on Kevin's thread but have come to realise that it was insensitive of me to do so. So, here it is here in it's own topic.

Folks I am not wishing to come across as one with little grace and I do not wish to speak out of turn here and upset the apple cart but I just gotta do this because I know that Tim Spittle of Australian Tonewoods has far too much grace for his own good sometimes so I think we need to clear the air here regarding THE AUCTION to which Kevin is referring and give credit where due.

Let's be clear that whilst I to acknowledge Rod's generosity, the components and exorbitant freight cost of this auction were in fact donated by one of the OLF's great sponsors Tim Spittle of Australian Tonewoods, and in a much smaller degree, by myself. Tim and I agreed that it was a good idea to make this donation for a couple of reasons.

Firstly we were aware of Kevin's selfless and charitable nature and therefore felt that if anyone deserves a bit of support from his mates when the chips were down it was him. Also, we felt that a submition of this kind from Australia would help foster the boarder-less community feeling that exist here at the OLF.

And of course, we should also acknowledge that Tim runs a business which hopes to supply some of the finest quality most unique tonewoods in the world to the best group of people in the world. By submitting this formidable package of endemic tonewoods, I am sure that it was hoped by him that the exposure here on this great forum would do his business no harm.

It was with interest then that I watched as this auction ran it's course for just 3 short days while all the while the "OLF Action" link continued to promote the 2nd and by then expired KG auction. The Aussie Tonewoods set was only ever pinned for the duration of the auction with no further promotion or recognition given.

As explained above, I am not saying that the only reason for this donation was for commercial gain, and I am sure that Tim and others are not going to be real pleased with me for posting this gripe here but I do NOT like back room politics and much prefer to just say whats on my mind if I think that it is a fair call.

So, IMHO, I think that a bit more acknowledgement and exposure would have been warranted in this regard, especially when you consider that the cost just to ship this package to the USA was a fairly large financial commitment. And, whilst I love this place and will once again acknowledge and thank Rod True for his generosity, my OWN feeling is that there was a considerable lack of support shown by the OLF in this instance and that lack of support did not serve the interest of either Kevin or Tim.

Cheers all, and apologies to any that I upset but I stick up for me mates so this has been eating at me and I just had to say it.

Fire away.

Kim

Dang, Hesh, you should be an arbitrator.

I agree with all that Kim said, too. Tim certainly deserves credit (and Kim, and others) for their part. I'll be buying some b/s from Tim shortly. I also have to try some tops from Shane. Most of what I've bought so far came from BobC and Steve @ colonial. Time to include everyone.

(I agree with everything Hesh said, too) (Not always, but in this instance, yes)

Ron   

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Kim

Hesh is right, things were pretty crazy here at the time. And I am glad and heartened to hear from you so we can say a proper Thank You and be sure to visit Tim's site more often!

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

Kim,

I’m very new to the OLF, and to be completely honest, I have not participated in any of the
auctions. Mostly due to financial reasons. So, perhaps my posting in this thread could be
considered irrelevant.

I would like to say though, that I find it hard to believe that your straightforwardness and
honesty would not be appreciated by your friends, and all here at the OLF.

For what its worth, you have my respect.

Robert

“If one speaks his heart, is not the truth?”

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

Tim is great to work with and he has incredible woods!

Kim, you'll get no disagreement from me, you are right on brother! You and Tim put together a first class kit for a worthy cause! WE ALL appreciate what you have done! As well as the other folks that have stepped up in various ways to help out.

That said, there was certainly no "intentional" disrespect on our part. In hind sight I can see how it may have looked a little less of a priority than maybe it should have.
I have no excuse for this and must say sorry to have not handled this better.

It's always important to remember that the OLF is not mine or Brock's first priority. We both hold down full time jobs, are husbands and dads, and build guitars in our spare time.
For me the OLF's proper place is at the end of "that" line. Not head of. I will say though that my guitar building time has suffered more that I wish, due to the amount of attention that the OLF requires.

Again this is not an excuse, its just something consider.

Thanks again for what both you fellas did! We will try harder in the future not to miss stuff like this.

Lance

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

Tim will be on my list as well, i too want to encourage our sponsors as soon as the money shows up.

Kim, you have my respect and understanding and Tim, you will get my support!

Serge

Kim, it needed to be said, and you said it well. Make sure Tim looks in on this thread, so he knows how people here feel.

Maybe it was a littel overshadowed, but I can assure you, I noticed it and thoght it was a mighty nice thing he did. I'll surely support his business as a result of his good nature. Just proved to me that hes one of the good guys.

And... let's not forget Peter really spearheaded a huge effort.

At the end of the day though.... I am glad Kevin is on the mend and hope to see him back in action soon.

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

There is no mistaking where such gorgeous wood could only possibly come from, and that is from Tim Spittle, along with your gracious offering, which is not only well intentioned, but duly noted as well.
I have been fantasizing about the day I could purchase some of the fine offerings of Australian Tonewoods...
I nearly pulled the trigger on the unseasoned group buy but {in retrospect wisely} pulled back due to my financial limitations.
I hear you larkim, Tims offering should have garnered more attention and respect.. but I think the end run of a series of auctions and the season left people tapped and distracted.
We all know that it was donated for a worthy cause and not for a donating competition, still Tims lack of mention is inexcusable.
I think that Tim will see the fruits of his participation here and his sponsorship of the OLF as more newb and unseasoned builders take on more extensive instrument projects that involve more exotic woods, including the fine offerings of Aus Tonewoods.
Cheers
Charlie

Well thank you all for the display of support and the understanding ear. I guess it was just a bad timing thing but I do feel a lot better having now said my bit and addressed the issue.

Brock is right on the money in pointing out that Peter was the spearhead of a very good cause and I think that both he and Kevin are cast from the same great mold. What a fantastic example these two guys set for us all, Onya Pete & Kev

The best news of all of course is that Kevin will be heading back to the workshop soon and this is a very good thing for a lot more people than just his immediate family, he's got some important work to do.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" (The Beatles)

Cheers all

Kim

Sorry about the double post folks but the "Edit" button, on this thread at least,seems to have disappeared from the forums GUI

Anyhow to the point. It also needs to be mentioned, because it seems all too easy to forget, that none of the auctions or any of the other great exchanges would be possible without the OLF itself. Thanks Lance and Brock for all your hard work and for giving up your shop time for us all.

And Lance, I agree with you whole heartedly, you do indeed have your priorities in the correct order. Right on Brother

Cheers

Kim