Official Luthiers Forum!

I need a show of hands. Anybody out there running a shop in the Tampa, FL
area? We're thinking of locating there sometime in the next year and I need
to know if any members live/work/build in the area.

Regards,

John Temple
AKA jakeyjones

I'm north of there, but I know the place like the back of my hand. Let me know if I can help.

Ken

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Reguards,

Ken H

I'm in Port Richey on the gulf about 40 miles (approx.)
from Tampa. Where in the Tampa area are you moving to ?
Hey, WELCOME to the OLF John !

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Hello John - I have been a resident of Tampa for over 30 years and am currently living in Brandon, a suburb just to the east. I am happy to share with you all my wisdom about the area (this should take about 60 seconds)!

I would also love to have a more southern (miami-ish area) gathering if we could get one together. Our area always seems to be left out.
I would run a demo.

Craig L
www.handcraftinlay.com

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www.handcraftinlay.com

I live on the East coast over in the New Smyrna Beach - which is about 30
miles south of Daytona. I don't know why I have never thought of having
a gathering of the Floridian OLF'ers - I guess I didn't think anyone lived
down this way. It would be fun, we could make it an annual event.

Peace Out,
Simon

Dave,

Thanks for the gracious welcome. I've been apprenticing (sp?) to Jim
Warwick here in the Vienna, VA area for the last year and a half, so I've
been lurking around the forum, but that was my first post last night. My
wife and kids want to move someplace warmer, and I may be able to
transfer my dayjob (technology sales to the US Army) down that way.
We're in the very preliminary stages of looking around, but the Tampa
area seems pretty good for all of our standard criteria (cost of living,
available housing, climate, quality of life). My only question, which you've
all since answered, was how many luthiers call that area of the country
home. Once I get a better fix on where we'll be, I'll reach out again to see
if we can get together and trade ideas. So far, I've almost built one guitar
(body needs to be bound and neck attached, finished, etc.) and I've done
a lot of repair work on Martin's, Taylor's, Les Paul's, Fender's, etc. I'd love
to get to the point where I could make a living on guitar work, but for the
near term it's going to have to be a labor of love/hobby. I'm pretty good
on fret work, set-ups and neck resets, and I can do a passable job on
finish repairs. I still need supervision on the more delicate stuff (like, say
routing a binding channel), but I've always wanted to work in support of
other luthiers so I'm not too bummed about my level of proficiency.
I look forward to meeting up with you and the others FLA'ers (Florida
Luthiery Association, naturally) in the coming months.

Regards,

John

Ken,

Thanks for your kind offer. I will definitely take you up on it when I get
into town. Look for another note from me in the near future.

Regards,

jakeyjones

Mark,

Thanks for the reply and the offer. I will be happy to take 60 seconds to
listen to your hard won wisdom. Hell, I might even buy you a drink in
return.

Regards,

jakeyjones

Craig,

I think that idea is a very good one. I would love to see your inlay work in
person as soon as I get some free time. Once again, once we decide on
where we'll be and when we'll make the move, I'll be in contact to see if we
can arrange a gathering of locals.

Regards,

jakeyjones

Simon,

Thanks for the reply. I'm all for an annual or semi-annual event where we
get together to share ideas, show off of respective work, and just bask in the
glow of cool guitars. I should have some space in the new house and would
be happy to host a gathering. I look forward to meeting all of you sometime
in the next few months.

Regards,

jakeyjones

South of Tampa is also represented by
Dave Bland, Sarasota
Bozo Pudunavac, Port Charlotte
Bud Long, Englaewood
Bob Forester, Englewood
I,m in Englewood Also

I'm on the east coast of Florida,Port St.Lucie.I would also attend a demo by Craig.Thanks for the offer Craig

Hi John, I live between Clermont and Polk City, about 40 minutes from Tampa. In spite of all the development, it's still a nice area. You and your family should enjoy the area, lots to do year round. Give me a shout when you get settled.

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Jim Womack

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for. "
Will Rogers

WOW...never knew we had so many here in Fla. I vote we all meet at Keith's house. He has a killer shop and lots of room ( sorry Keith, I couldn't resist). He even has a refridgerator and ICE maker in his shop. NAh...maybe we should meet in a place like Orlando sort of central to everyone...

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I bet I could sell the idea a lot more to my family if Daddy only took a day off to do a demo then had time to visit the parks the next day or two in the summer..

Craig L
www.handcraftinlay.com

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www.handcraftinlay.com

I'm up for it... just set the date !

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Reguards,

Ken H