Official Luthiers Forum!

On my way to Wisconsin to pick up Frank at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater yesterday, I stopped to see our good friend and CNC genius, John Watkins. As a former Cheesehead resident and now a bona fide "FIB" ...but Green Bay Packer supporter, he is still as intense and passionate as ever regarding his business and contribution to the guitar building world.

He now has 2 giant machines that create lots of incredibly precise and most accurate necks, fingerboards bridge blanks, etc. for those builders who need to get their assemblies done quickly...or just can't carve worth a dang!

When I asked John how soon we will see his new website store up and running, he stated, "soon." He has been incredibly busy hogging out parts for his industrial clients and is still a bit behind. The recently acquired 2nd machine is helping to quickly reduce that backlog...so my assessment of when his site will be online is..."soon"

The following are a few pics of the operation as well as the employees hard at work producing the parts that we are used to seeing on guitars.

A load of classic necks that recently emerged from the robots.



Here's a batch of Steel String necks...I was told that the neck for the OLF #2 is somewhere in that pile.



Here are the two most productive employees working for John. They do everything but sweep the floor and laugh at John's jokes!



And here's our hero with his first breathing employee...Charlie from Detroit. In spite of coming from Motown, I really like the kid and is already making a significant contribution to the success of the operation. BTW, Charlie is a recent graduate of the Roberto-Venn school of luthiery, so I hope we can get him to participate on the OLF soon. He and John are both trying to build guitars in their spare time.



And finally...El Presidente in his plush office evaluating Emily before I have to turn it over to Joe forever! Notice the Green Bay Packer pennant in the background in full view from outside of his window. I might recommend placing it in a less conspicuous space should you wish to keep that window from spontaneously shattering this fall. Go Bears!



Thanks for the time, John. We look forward to having you come back to visit OLF soon as well as seeing your online store servicing the little guys once again!

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

Great pics, JJ!

Great trip report brother JJ!

John's new digs look fantastic and it's great to see one of our pals living the dream.

The guy on the left could be Paul Woolson's brother.
The guy on the right could be Lance Kragenbrink's brother.
Anyone 'sides me, see the resemblances?

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Cool stuff...I hope your expanded business (and the breathing employee) treats you well!

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

JJ, that trip looks like it was fun!
Say, is John still manufacturing the aluminum lining clamps...the ones w/ surgical rubber bands?
I need some more, as they are so efficient.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Great pictures JJ! Looks like John has gotten himself a new and bigger Techno CNC machine. Glad to hear he has gotten some good help and look forward to seeing them on the OLF.

Steve...I really don't know if they are still available. Hopefully, John will have some time to chime in. If he doesn't, I'll bet there may be some available on the swap meet.

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

Thanks for the kind words, JJ. It was great to see you again and check out that hot new axe of yours.

The lining clamps will be ready to go on the web site when it re-opens, hopefully next week.

Thanks again,

John

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Muy bueno, John! Thanks.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com