Official Luthiers Forum!

Mid november, me and a (non-lutherie) buddy are leaving sweden to spend a little more than a week with a friend outside Springfield, missouri. Im trying to get an idea of possible places to visit, with enough variation so that it can be interesting for all the three of us. Of course some luthier/wood stuff, but also more general things.

Ive understood that Old standard woods are in the neighbourhoods, so we will probably pay them a visit, and possibly go down to Nashville... But apart from that, we dont know very much about what to do in the area.

So, give me all suggestions you have! Events, stuff and interesting places to see, restaurants, guitarmakers, woodsuppliers, music events(we would love to see some genuine bluegrass/old time..), etc.

All help greatly appreciated!

The 310,000 square foot, Bass Pro Shop is in Springfield. If you're into the outdoor life, It's a must-see.
Website

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"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

You can't miss Branson, the Nashville of the Ozarks!  Music shows, Tablerock Lake, etc..  Its only about 40 minutes drive straight south of Springfield.  And Grizzley Tools has a showroom and warehouse if you want to look at tools.

At the base of the Tablerock dam there is a trout fish hatchery.

Have a great time!

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Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK

Bill Moll is in the area. You might look him up.

Hibdon Hardwood in St. Louis has hundreds of guitar sets from African Blackwood to Ziricote, and mahogany and Spanish cedar neck blanks. Plus, they are one of the sponsors of the Forum. Check out their website for current offerings.

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Stay with the happy people.
--Reynolds Large

Lars, You'd be welcome at my place, we might even throw an OLF Meet and Greet event so everyone in the area could meet you and your friend.

WE are south of Springfield down Highway 7, some great views along the way. Locally there is Lake Dardanelle on the Arkansas River 356 mile shoreline, Petit Jean State park, and Mt Magazine State Park with new 8 million dollar lodge.

I bet we could get four or five OLFers together on the spur of the moment. Six or eight if on a weekend. Sounds like you will have a great time whereever you end up.

Bruce Dickey
www.dickeyguitars.com

You'll enjoy meeting John Griffin at OLD Standard Wood. He has a nice place and great tonewoods. And Collings Guitars...he's a dealer.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Hey Dave, that sounds great. Now we need someone to volunteer the fatted calf!   

When I became a luthier I didn't know it meant giving up steak. I eat a lot of burgers.   

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Wow! Seems like were gonna have a great time! Id love to come by you place, Bruce. Will probably try to bring a guitar too.. thanks for the support guys, keep in touch about the gettogeter!

TLAFOASE for short. Well, how about it, anyone ready for a get together with a Swedish Flair?

Lars we'd be more than thrilled to have you come visit with your friends. You betcha!

Okay, we must have some luthier content. And this time we need some picking performances. I could bend my brother'in'law's arm he's quite a picker. And with the pick of the litter to play, I know he'd enjoy it too.

Okay you OLFer's sound off for Sweden and Acoustic Guitars! WE'll firm up some dates.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Well, I greatly appreciate the support guys, and I will have to check with my buddies before making too big plans... hope you understand, but i think they would want to have some thoughts about what to do and so on. We'll stop by your shop anyhow(since we will be based in stockton, and if I understand it correclty thats not too far from your place), but I cant tell you for shure how our plans are, since we dont know ourselves yet.. I'll let you all know when we are more into the planning.

Looking forward to come back to the USA! Maaan, i miss some good steak, fresh corn and sundae dessert! Look forward to buy some nice wood too.

We are thinking about nashville, is it worth the trip?

Lars, I totally understand. In case you thought I lived near Springfield or Stockton MO, well actually I'm in Arkansas 219 Miles due south of there. 5 hour drive by car down Highway 7.

We've had some really fun OLF Get Togethers, a couple times. And we'd really like to put one together on short notice too, if you can make it. I visited your webaddress, I see you are remodelling.

Talk to your buddies and let us know what's best. Fulton Missouri is 162 miles NE of Stockton about three hours by car. Nashville is a long way, 501 miles ESE, ten hours by car. Gibson Banjos is in Nashville, maybe guitars? Not sure. But there would be a raft of luthiers over that way.

Cheers, Bruce

If you come this way and want to rough it, I have a cabin and 42 acres. A canoe and two kayaks.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Lar's I live in Branson. Shop is not setup yet, but welcome to come and maybe do some fishing. Been catching a lot of trout flyfishing 20-30 a day. Branson has Silver Dollar City and a bunch of shows. Might give Bill a call. I haven't talked to him in a couple of months, but he has been great in showing shop and guitars in the past.