Official Luthiers Forum!

I have been going over some of the videos of the miami show and ran across this one. I dont know the guy's name, but I need to hire him as a salesman I'm trying to figure out how to create a clip of the comments I heard about my guitars at the Miami show.. when I figure it out, I'll post that combined clip.

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Reguards,

Ken H

First you gotta sell it to him!

Best comment...

"I think I need one of these."

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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."

What Don said...

You can tell how genuine this guy is in his admiration of your instrument, Ken. Must feel pretty good to have such great feedback! Thanks for sharing the clip.

Great clip

I've never been fortunate enough to play a high end acoustic, but there is no way anyone could make the notes stand out like that up the neck on my low-mid-level crafter, at least not with the same ease.
Seems to be as easily played as an electric.
I'm trying to imagine how that guitar would sound paired up with Tommy Emmanuel...

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Frank

Chris that was hilarious....and I am impressed given that I would have thought you to be far to young to even know who Danny Bonaduce is. Don't tell me Todd has you watching Partridge Family re-runs in the shop or that's what you dudes watch in the dorms these days

Is it my ears or is that guitar not intonating correctly on the B and G string around the 12th fret?

Esteban, the consummate guitar marketeer would be proud of such self-promotion!

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

I thought that was Randy "The Macho Man" Savage ooohhhhhhhhh yaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Now get back to building those stinkin guitars already!

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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

What kind of wood is that? Tas blackwood? It sounds a bright?

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

The back and sides were Oregon Myrtle. I really love buildig with this wood!

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Reguards,

Ken H

Although a glowing review, I wouldn't put too much weight into it. He's not much of a player. He doesn't seem that discerning either. Are you sure you guys aren't related?

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

Is that a joke or a slam? He was a decent enough player and he certainly really liked the guitar.

Hey Ken, that's a pretty cool video and a great sound byte if I ever heard one... "I think I need one of these".

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

I thought this would be a fun video to show how some people, no matter their age, can still be like kids in a toy store. This guy certainly fits that discription and I really enjoyed talking to him and his wife that was there with them. Perhaps one day he will remember the show and look me up (or one of the other guys that were there). I certainly hope so.

It also seems as though this post came across as "self promotional". It certainly wasnt intended as such.

If this post has offended you, Please accept my deepest appologies. It was intended as a light hearted look at the show.

<----If you look over at the post count on the left, you will see that I have made almost 2000 posts on this forum. I have asked a lot of questions, gave a lot of advice, consoled the members when things arent going right in their builds, consoled members on losses in their families, and praised and cheered when one of the members finally finishes a guitar they have worked so hard on. never ONCE in those posts have I ever posted with anything but an encouraging spirit in my heart. Most importantly, I have made a TON of new friends around the world.

Sorry if any of this offended you.

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Reguards,

Ken H

Yes, its good to see what goes on when you actually start selling stuff. Thats the kind of customers you want. Did you offer him a buyers plan or something, so he could finance it?

I think about half of all guitar players know about 3 chords. I think I use about 7 or 8.

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

Ken, it certainly appeared to be self promoting to me. Not that I mind that every once in a while but you already posted a ton of stuff on the Miami show, two video's of pro's playing your guitars, and your exuberance of how well your guitars were received over the course of the week. Not to mention on other forums as well (many of us cruise the AG forum and the other luthier forum).

I (and most other's here too) know this was your first show, so a little exuberance is to be expected, but it was just one more video about you and your guitars. It's sort of like telling us again how your first date went. We don't mind hearing about it a few times but sometimes it just gets to be a bit much.

This is my take anyway, but sometimes I'm a jerk admittedly.

I'm glad the guy liked your guitars, that's great. Maybe one day he'll buy one.

Anyway enough of all this. Let's get back to building guitars.

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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

Seems to me it would be easy for a luthier to close the door of their shop, and disconnect from the luthier community. After all, it's the buyers and buyer prospects that the luthier really needs to connect with... right? Or is it?

So, what are these online luthier forums for? (rhetorical question) It is certainly a place for beginning luthiers (like me) to come and glean knowledge. It is also a place where luthiers can get some positive strokes for their efforts. That holds true for first time builders as well as seasoned pros.

I see this as a good opportunity to encourage and congratulate Ken Hodges, an advanced luthier who is taking his first steps into professional lutherie. Ken enjoyed some success at his first show. I'm sure there have been many luthiers that did not have any financial success in their first show, or maybe their second, or third... (Maybe they weren't ready, maybe their instruments simply did not stand out in a crowd of fine handmade instruments.) I know I would be excited if my first show went well, and I know I would be appreciative if my peers and buddies in the online forums offered me emotional support, and cheered and encouraged me.

Way to go, Ken, that's great news!

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Ken

Your friendliness on this forum is much appreciated, especially by the newbies who post and are always greeted by your comments (including me).

I say congratulations on this! Where else would you post this type of thing? This is the place.

Post away!

Sam

Way to go Ken,
I'm happy for you.
I hope that if I ever put my guitars in a show I get complements like you did.
It sounds like you “hit a home run” on the first date.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Wow....An unsolicited personal dig. I thought this was a joke as I figured no one with an upbringing would slam the outhouse door that hard. If there are posts in which you have no interest or posters that irritate you, why read them? More importantly, why waste your valuable time typing out a condescending reply publicly? A diplomatic pm would have been a far more civilized response if you felt strongly enough to respond. I imagine that if someone were going overboard in any subject, especially promotion of their product, the moderators would intervene. Ken is obviously trying to ratchet up his craft and trying to break into a bigger market, I'm sure we all hope to be in that situation some day. I follow theses boards not rabidly but with some regularity and Ken seems to be one who is always helpful and encouraging to builders less advanced than he. It is an exciting time for him and even those of us who are usually quiet on these boards are excited for him as well.

Shame on me for keeping this banter alive but I felt it needed saying.

Ken, best of luck and I hope to continue seeing your progression.

I also wish to offer my congrats and best wishes for continued success to you Ken.

Pat

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There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

No worries Ken, you were/are excited and wanted to share, hey, seeing the pure joy of someone playing one of your instruments is worth sharing, who cares how good of a player he is, or even how some of the gents here might interpret your posts...I was very excited for you, keep them coming and many blessings to ya buddy!

Cheers,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

I, too,, like seeing the pictures and videos of people playing your guitars. I also like hearing what they say. It is very informative. You have every right to post your activity, and I, for one hope you keep it up. Anyone who doesn't want to look, doesn't have to. Way to go Ken!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Ken:
I for one am happy for ya! Ignore these other guys, its way easy to be negative. Someday maybe someone will be enthusiastic about one of my projects also. Keep up the good work............... Mikey

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Thanks again all for the votes of confidence.

I really didnt mean to be self promoting....especially HERE. You guys can build your own guitars and I'll be glad to give advice or pats on the back when needed. Heck, most of the good advice that made my show a success came from right here on the OLF! I have plans to try to go to a few more shows, but as of right now I am limited as to how far from home I can get because of the deteriorating health of my mother. Miami was an easy drive for me and close to home.

I really wish I had had the time to take more pictures of some of the other guys work, but fro the time I got to the show in the morning until I left each night, I was literally on my feet and talking. I had hoped that others would post their pictures of the events and maybe some non-show things that happened, but I guess they were to busy to take pictures or something. I didnt mean to hog that thread with pictures either. So it goes though and is all water under the bridge now. I hope no feelings are hurt or friendships broken over all of this.

It was a thrill to meet some of the guys I have been talking to on the forum. John How and I were directly across from each other and he had a little parlour guitar that I couldnt take my eyes off of. Tim and Mary McKnight were just plain awesome, helping me with marketing advice that was priceless. I tried to take a few minutes each day to at least go introduce myself to some of the others, like Greg Gwaltny and David LaPlante. Seeing Craig Lavin's work in person just made me drool. What an artist he is! Of course meeting Brock and Lance was a real pleasure too. Paul Wooson brought his own pro guitar player, and I was serenaded with some fo the finest picking I have heard using his guitars. I know I'm leaving somebody out, but it sure was good to see everybody. Forgive me if I missed your name on here?

One person who didnt get to go to the show, but his work did was our own Joe White. He is the one that put the stellar finishes on my guitars, and I tried to be quick to praise his work to whoever would listen at the show. He will most definitely get more of my work as time goes on.

I hope I am able to meet more if you in person at the next show I'm able to attend. This has all been a learning lesson for me.

Thanks again,
Ken

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Reguards,

Ken H