Official Luthiers Forum!

I had the priveledge of meeting our OLF brother, John Watkins last weekend. John is one of the most accomplished guitarmakers I ever met...his guitars had me jaw-dropping...especially when he started shredding some of his outrageous electrics! The only problem is that his shop has been converted to a CNC room and he has little time for mere guitar-building these days.

And how impressive the CNC operation is indeed! I don't know much about CNC except for the fact that he makes necks, bridges, etc. in minutes where it takes me hours or days to accomplish the same part! This is very serious stuff...the jigs and holding fixtures alone are as detailed and impressively built as any of his complex archtop guitars! In spite of all of his automation, John has the most extensive collection of chisels that I have ever seen...about 30 all lined up above a well-organized workbench.

Thanks, John for the wonderful "cheesehead hospitality." I felt guilty visiting John on Saturday as he missed a golf opportunity on a perfect 70* day...especially since the next day was in the mid 40's!

John's is now my 11th OLF shop visit and each one is memorable. John's is sure to be the most complex and technologically oriented. Thanks for the time, John...I hope to see you next time on a first tee somewhere!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

OMG, no...not the dreaded Ann Arbor Wizard of Foul Wind directing his fury in my direction!!! Anything but that...Oh the humanity!

Actually, I failed to pack my camera when I made the trip...silly me. The equipment looks like a torture machine from a James Bond spy novel...you get strapped down to the rack and the router travels around with its bit tickling you according to the loaded program. Anybody for a Strat outline carved in one's chest?

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I'm glad you enjoyed the visit, JJ. I did as well. Thanks for the nice comments. Out of curiousity, I actually counted the chisels for the first time just now. There are 92.   

Hesh, hasn't everyone seen enough pics of my shop?   

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Soooooooo Johnny, tell the folks at home WHY you have so many chisels.

he is compensating...

I need to get up that way with Woolson soon...

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Woolson, yes, I'm too lazy to sharpen more than once every six months.

Mayes, it's a good x-mas present for my wife to get. The chisels, I mean....

Ok, here's one. How's that?

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

that doesn't look like chisels. C'mon, show us the real tools not some stinkin' robot. Everyone knows it only takes a 4th grade education to load parts into that thing.

hahaha, this is awesome. I want more pics too!

I talked with John for a few minutes on the phone when I ordered my
guitar neck and really enjoyed it. We contrasted my toolbox to his, lol.

Ok, ladies. Here you go. I think you should all also post some, though.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Wow! Nice Shop & cool tools.  Thanks for the pics.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

John thanks for the glimpse. You've got more tied up in chisels than I do for my whole shop

Thanks for coming through with the pictures and getting JJ off the hook (he's such a disappointment )

Great- Chisel envy!!!

Just what I need!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

PROOF that John's a chisler.   

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Man.... need some more chisels??

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

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Wow! Outstanding looking shop!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...