Official Luthiers Forum!

A recent conversation with Aiobeann reminded me about our discussed Westcoast OLF get-together.
What ever happened with that? I would be really stoked to finally meet some of the good people here. I just dont know where that convesation ended - could someone remind me? Will there be one? Where?
Cheers
Charliewood

Charlie I think we all agreed that we'd love to have one, but that's as far as it went.

I'd love to attend. Anyone else?

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Aoibeann

Charlie-
There is a luthier group (outside the OLF) on Vancouver Island as well. It might be cool to try to combine the two groups some time.
John

Id love to hear more about that John, please PM me if you have an more info on that!
Yeah we spoke of it and a few people even offered to host - I even threw my hat in the ring at one point and Shane I think too, a couple people from PNW USA too Washington Oregon? I forget!
Cheers
Charliewood

I'm interested.

How 'bout Powell River so I don't have to take a ferry for a change.

How about Las Vegas,Nevada??
I can get very low hotel rates!!
Just a thought...
walter

Walter-
I think I could get to LasVegas about as fast as I could get to Powell River (from Victoria) so your idea may have some merit!
John

Of Course I'd be interested, a little depentant on when and where, but I'd certainly be willing to travel a bit.

Maybe somewhere more central west coast like Northern Oregon, any OLF'ers there.

I also bet that Shane would like to be part of this (He's in more northern BC but still "west coast") So some consideration for him would be nice.

Also wondering about Doug Kleist in Port Orchard. I'd love see and meet him, anyone heard from him latly?

Anyway, there are some more thoughts to throw into the equation.

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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

Ace repair diva Cat Fox and I (Running Dog Guitars) are sharing a large,
professional shop in the artsy Fremont district of Seattle. We have a
classroom/lounge for talks, a fully-equipped repair shop, and my guitar
construction area. There are always interesting projects, restorations, and
rebuilds in process. Later this year, we'll be offering courses taught by us
and by visiting luthiers. The shop should be ready for visitors by the end
of February.

We'd be happy to host a get-together this Spring, if there's interest.
Besides the activities in the shop, there are a number of active builders in
the immediate area, Gurian Instruments, and a bunch of great musicians
for evening house concerts.

Interested?

Rick Davis
Running Dog Guitars

Great idea. Count me in!

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

Ummmmmmmmm.......YA

Rick that is a very generous offer that I would certainly be interested in. Anything you host would be great I'm sure.

I've had the privilege of meeting Michael at his floating shop, what an operation, cool indeed.

It would be cool to meet you there in Seattle at the running "dawg" guitar shop.

So, in short.....I'm in

_________________
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

Seattle would definitely be sort of in between our northern brethren i.e. Shane and our Southern brethren in Cali no? Ive always wanted to explore the city of Seattle but have never had the chance.
I talked to my wife about having a get together here - but our property is suitable for campouts only, as we have a house filled to capacity with junk, but one huge yard on the ocean!{and grills}
Of course the conference room space/workshop facilities you speak of Rick definitely sound very conducive to a get together atmosphere, Im definiitely in if we decide to go that route!
Of course John Abercrombie also pointed out that there happens to be a Vancouver Island Luthier group meeting this spring that could probably fold this gathering into it as well, I will email the co-ordinator Scott McKee and bring it up as a possibility and get his feedback.   

This may be a good way to recruit some more OLF members,
Any other ideas ???
Cheers
Charliewood

Hey Charlie, Scott is an OLF member...you probably know that already.

I would like to show up also and Rick's invitation is great. I would have to see the dates and the 'agenda' to see if I could swing it though...

Thanks

Shane

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Canada

There is an informal guild of Vancouver Island and Gulf Island luthiers that grew out of the 2006 GAL meeting. We have decided to call ourselves the Islands Luthiers Guild and we have had two meetings so far, one in August and one in November. The November meeting had 20 luthiers in attendance. The next meeting, which has yet to be officially sheduled, should be in a month or so. We are hoping to have it in Victoria but the attendance at the last meeting was large enough that we may have outgrown meeting at private homes, during the cooler weather at least, and may have to rent a hall or something.

You can contact me if you'd like to be on the mailing list. All are welcome but the idea is to have the meetings on Vancouver Island or on one of the Gulf Islands.

Scott

Shane I didnt know that but Im happy to hear that, and also that there is somethin luthier intensive in my area
Scott Id love to be on the mailing list Ill PM you!
Hopefully we can fold some of these two groups together for this OLF meet!
Cheers
Charliewood

Any of you guys know if there is a lower mainland luthiery group or guild

I'd sure like to be part of one in the area. If not, than I'm just going to have to join the Island group

_________________
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

Rick-
Thanks for the offer!
I'd be interested in coming to an OLF (or any) get-together at your shop at some point. It would be great if we could organize a tour/spending spree at Gurian and other spots as well- it would help to rationalize the cost of the trip (from Victoria) for me.

Cheers

John

One good thing about Gurian's John is that the pick up order minimum is $100, not $200 as if they shipped it to you

Spend on brother.

_________________
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

Great idea. i'm interested. Need details. MAinly when? Location USA NW or Canada SW. I'll bring crackers and cheese

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

Well Greg we are in the middle of determining all these details, but its starting to sound as though it could be quite an awesome affair!
Good ideas and input everyone!
I like the way this is coming along. Thats a good question though Greg
What "would" be the best time for something like this -

but especially for you Rick?
Everyone in general.... for me mabye closer to summer -May? but Im flexible!
Cheers
Charliewood

I'm flexible too so it should realy be more dependent on what would work for the host.

I for one love the idea of getting down to Seattle again and therefore....

I nominate Rick Davis to host the event (if that's ok with you Rick ) So it would be up to him for a time or two that would work out best. Than kind of who ever can come can come. Sometimes an event like this can never happen if we try and accomodate everyone.

But a general "season" might be a good place to start.

This is cool, should be fun.

_________________
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

Cat and I will be happy to host the get together. Perhaps I can convince
her to do a fret dressing/set up demo; I'll think of something I can demo
for the builders. A trip to Gurian's would definitely be fun and interesting
for all, as would visits to other Seattle area builders. And we'll have the
fridge well stocked and the cappuccino machine hot. An evening party
with some local musicians can be arranged, too.

Date? Sometime in April or early May? If those interested let me know
when they're available/not available, we can choose a time.

This will be fun!

Cheers --
Rick

Rick - That is gracious of both you and Cat, to say the least!
Bob Cefalu who organized the N Eastern regional OLF get together last year should have some pointers for keeping it manageable for Cat and yourself Im sure,
as well as some retrospective tips as to what he would have done differently perhaps.
I think that mabye we could do a bit of fundraising between the guests who are coming, in order to offset your costs, and things like that, if we organize early perhaps also??? Suggestions? Ideas?
Cheers
Charliewood

Good to see this is coming together!
I'd certainly be willing to 'chip in' for expenses- I wouldn't want the host to contribute anything except their organizing time, which is very valuable.
I will be away from mid-April to early June (taking a course with Sergei deJonge in Ottawa) so will probably miss the rendevous unless by some happenstance it coincides with the dates I'll be driving through Seattle hell-bent east (or west).
April 14 would work for me in Seattle, or June 2nd on the return.
Otherwise, see you all at the 2nd get-together!
Cheers
John