Official Luthiers Forum!

I just got the most unusual phone call a few minutes ago....

A guy just called me a few minutes ago and told me who he was... the name didnt mean anything to me but I thought it was someone wanting to buy a guitar. Anyway, he went on to say that he was the guy that had been given one of the guitars that I had made recently and I knew was going to be a Christmas present to "a top salesman". This was the top salesman.

He began by saying that he was a grown man and should be able to better control his emotions, but every time he picked up this guitar he was almost in tears because he couldnt believe how pretty it was, how good it played and the tone of the guitar was so much better than anything else he had ever held in his hands. He must have said at least 10 times that he was just in awe...

Anyway, come to find out he is a finger picker. I usually set up the guitars for finger picking anyway, so it fit him perfectly. He just said he had to call to tell me how much he loved the guitar and even though he wasnt the one to pay for it, he wanted me to know how much he appreciated all of the hard work that went into making it and inlaying his initials on it.

I thought it was a pretty awesome phone call.  VERY unusual to get a call like this from anyone, but it sure has placed me on cloud nine! I was really worried that this guitar would be one of those gifts that would end up in someone's closet for decades and then sold at a yard sale when he passed away. Sounds like it went to someone that really appreciates it and will play it!

I'm stoked!!

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Reguards,

Ken H

Very Cool!!! Congrats, there's no better feeling than that I can imagine.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

You should be!  That has to be near the top for a builder, for someone to really love his guitar that much.  Very Cool Ken! 

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Hey Ken, that's fantastic. What a good thing.

Right on Ken! It is great to see that someone has taken the time to let you know how much he appreciated your hard work and attention to detail! It seems to go the other way much too often.

Very well done and congrats!!

Shane

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Canada

Ken,

Congrats....makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?  I hope to have similar responses in the next 1-30 years!

 

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Ken, Thats why we do what we do. I was just blessed by listening to my daughter sing and play the first guitar I built at church tonight. Keep up the great work.

Mark

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Wisdom is justified by her children

Hey Shane,

This one had one of your Lutz tops on it too. Man what a sweet sounding guitar!  I hope you have more of it as I will be placing an order really soon!

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Reguards,

Ken H

Ken,

I can imagine how good that phone call made you feel! You know, you did deserve it though!

I know you put a lot of effort, and care into building your guitars. It does feel good when someone
recognizes all the hard work you’ve accomplished!

Congratulations my friend!

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

Good for you!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Way-to-go Ken buddy!

This is what it is all about.!!!
I know you make your living as a luthier BUT when you started, and continuing to today, don't you want to make the most beautiful looking and sounding guitar that you can make. --then put it into the hanks of a player that is brought to tears when he sees and plays your latest masterpiece. WOW, WOW, gives me chills.

A true Craftsman always loves to hear his efforts are appreciated.  That one call will make up for a lot of down moments...Great to hear!!

Mitch

Congratulations Ken. That most unusual phone call was for a most unusual guitar. Probably a better description of the guitar is Unique. Imagine all the guitars built over time. How rare it is to find one made with great care by one single individual.

I think that speaks volumes.

Also, I think about the guy on a line somewhere, glueing on x-braces and finger-braces. He may not even be the guy to shape those braces, if they get shaped. Nor was he the guy to take raw wood and cut out those braces.

It's a different world in your shop, and two hands do some amazing things, yours! Thanks for sharing the story.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Makes it all worth while doesn't it

Congrats
Great story

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

What a wonderful compliment... It does make all of the efforts worthwhile. Congratulations!

Responses like that serve as inspiration and inner rewards.

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Peter

It is truly amazing how much effort goes into one instrument, and often how little--or brief--the praise will be. But oh when it comes like this, all the blood, sweat and tears are worth it, no?

Congratulations,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Ken - I can't add any more than anyone else.  What a wonderful Christmas present for you.  Congratulations!!!!

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Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK

That's great Ken, sounds like you're really rolling.  Congrats.  How many instruments have you built now?
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

[QUOTE=Terence Kennedy]That's great Ken, sounds like you're really rolling.  Congrats.  How many instruments have you built now?
Terry

[/QUOTE]

I just finished #20

Thanks again everybody!

 

 

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Reguards,

Ken H

Congratulations Ken! Thats great to hear
that someone Loves your guitar that much!
Keep up the fine work.   

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755