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After alot of thinking and 6 weeks of not sleeping or resting, I think it's time to pull myself from the healdsburg show this time around. I'm not really happy with any of the work I would be bringing with the exception of the flag guitar, and because of time constraints and issues in my personal life, there's just not enough time to get everything done and ready.

To make matters worse we had ordered shirts from a place locally and they completely botched the order so I'm out most of my money for shirts and to be honest I'm not up to fighting with them to fix it. Then when I get home from there I dropped the snakehead guitar neck and put a nice dinger right in my new finish (actually dented the wood a bit) so if I thought I could take that one I was dreaming.

I think I'm going to take some time off, finish rebuilding my shop where I want it. Let my life settle down a bit and then slowly start building again, I'm actually sending back pre-order money so I can just stop and breathe for a while.

I hope everyone going has a great time and I assure I will be there in 2007...

Cheers

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Paul, you are a great builder. You know what you are doing so I won't try to talk you out of it. I know you have a day job too. Even workaholics have to take a break every now and then.

In the construction business it seems things always take longer than they should. Guitar building is somewhat similar. And then throw in a deadline and all the fun seems to evaporate.

We applaud all the hard work and effort to even make the attempt at Healdsburg. I wanted to be there exhibiting this year but it wasn't to be, either. What we all would like to see is you with glee on your face, like your Snoopy Avatar. Get some rest, and ..... hang in there.

Paul,

Your skills and product will only be better in 07, although I don't know how they can get much better after seeing pictures of your work. Sometimes, you just gotta' punt!

Jeff

Thanks for the kind words guys, I'm truly humbled. I made the decision early this evening, sent out notices and so far have gotten nothing but grief around here for it! (family and friends alike)

I was pretty resolute when I decided but since sending out my notices I've had some interesting responses from people around me, I haven't changed my mind yet but I'm starting to think it would be less hassle to go than to put up with the noise from this bunch Even my boss has had something to say about it!!!

I had to tell Natalie at LMI to hold my table for a bit so I can make the 'final' decision, I just didn't anticipate the reaction (I should've known though).

I do really want to meet Tim and Paul (sounds like a religious rock band!!) and the others from the OLF, my wife said I could just show the 4 I have now, stop complaining and get it done (kind of like your punt Jeff) so anything's possible at this point..

I was going to have Lance delete this thread but I'll leave it here for now until I finish getting feedback tomorrow at the office (some people there have helped me with various things and one good friend has been pushing me this whole time)...

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Hey Paul

I love your work that I have seen pictures of, as I said before anyone who builds intruments that beautiful deserves all the sucess in the world.

Only you know whats right and whats wrong with the guitars you make, and I'm sure you will work out the best thing to do.

I am sure your offering this year is strong enough, but if you decide to skip healdsburg I am sure they will be even better next year, don't worry about the shirts though a nice touch probably not as importnat as it seems right now.

For me our work is a constant evolution and things get better and better as time goes on and we gain more and more experience. If I look at some of the great builders they get better and better.

Just make sure you enjoy it and have some fun along the way

Davis, I for one will be sad if you can't make it. Sad 1) that life has got you up against the ropes and I hate to see that in ANYONE and 2) because I really looked forward to meeting you face to face.
Interestingly, I'm almost in the same boat as you are with guitars. I started this venture with 5 and now I'm doig a lacquer repair, which if it doesn't work I'll be bring 2. Sort of sucks but I've got too much time and energy (mental and physical) wrapped up in this to bow out now. I'm even having t-shirt problems too (decided to bag that idea as I just have to stop spending money on this show).
I don't think it's all that uncommon to have people change their mind last minute. Even Charles Fox canceled at the last minute last show. He had just been cranking for WAY too long and had what he believed to be some sort of heart problem. As it turned out it was just anxiety mixed with a reaction to Nitro fumes but it was enough for him to take a step back.
Not that it matters to you but I'll support you either way you go. I guess I should be happy if you don't go as there will be one less "GREAT" builder to have to compete with.
Good luck with your decision making process.
-Woolson

Just GO ! Take what you have. Nobody will know about what you didn't bring and why.
Don't miss the opportunity.

Those shirts are worth fighting with the printers over. As long as you gave them all the right information and artwork, it is their responsibility to do them correctly. They should have to eat the losses, not you. Don't let them walk all over you. Force them to do it right and on time for you to take them with you.

Good luck! You're going to do well.Don Williams38568.2734259259

_________________
"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."

Paul: I feel your pain and anxiety. I have been planning for this show for a year but still I was feeling the pressure at the 6 month point. It is an enormous load that we bear trying to balance a "day job", family, honey do lists, activities with the kids, church services and functions while still trying to squeeze in shop time.

You are this close I urge you to re-consider only if you bring one or two guitars as Paul and I'm sure others are doing. It's your presence and face to face interactions with the buying public that will make a greater impact than your guitars will. I believe folks just want to meet us and shake a hand and see a smile in person. If I were buying a guitar I would want to meet the luthier in person and then I would feel more confident in plonking down my hard earned cash for a commissioned project.

Besides Paul and I need you for our Praise band! I will continue to pray for you and the other builders who are feeling the pressure of the world. Put Him first and He will guide your steps my friend.

Ecl. 4:9-10 & Jms. 5:16

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Paul,
I can relate, all beit on a MUCH smaller level. The last two years I participated in a local Folk Festival/ Art show, showing my guitars, both years I busted butt to be ready, and not feeling 100% about certain items that I rushed on, that in and of itself was the main reason I decided not to pursue going to HGF this year, but rather, find out (IF) I could go, and then plan for it in 07. I'm going to be starting my HGF Batch soon, by the end of this year, giving me ample time. Hearing all you guys that are going and how time has slipped away, and the pressures that you have all been under, I know for myself, I made the right decision, and if your not 100% confidant in your stuff, I would do as your doing. The last thing in the world you want to do, is step into the worlds largest Acoustic Guitar Arena second gessing your stuff!

my 2 cents

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

It is totally normal to second guess if your work is "good enough" or
whatever. I do it all the time. It's human nature to compare your work
against ol joe blow, and think that your work does not stack up. I do that
too. It's normal to be feeling the pressure of this show. I've stressed
myself out to the max with this show trying to get stuff done for it, and
I'm still cutting it really close. I'm not getting my guitars back from finish
till the 13th! It's stressful, and you add that on top of the rest of the
issues we deal with...especially full time builders...sheesh it is enough to
give yourself a heart attack. I'm not telling you to go or not to go, but if
it were me if you had at least one or two guitars your happy with I'd take
them. A little bit is better than nada. I'm sure your work is every bit as
good as joe blows, mine, tims, lances, ect.... If you choose not to come
that is understandable too, and bottom line you have to think about you
and your family first, and your customers second.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

It's been my experience that as you get better at a craft, any craft, you see more flaws in your work because your eye is more discerning, more atuned to flaws, and the demands you place on yourself to eliminate them increases.

The bright side of that is that there really are fewer flaws present than in your earlier work and virtually none that will be seen by others, including other craftsmen. What people really WILL see is the wonderfully original art you've created.

Well I don't think I actually ended up having much say in the matter, I really appreciate everyones kind words. John's right in that we all second guess our work, all I see are the flaws, but players don't even notice most of them unless I point them out. Builders are another story!!!

We started planning again this morning, we are taking a loss on the first shirts and are going to try another place and make sure they know what happened the first time so they don't repeat it. I *REALLY* want to take the fanned fret, the ding is on the back of the neck so I started filling with finish last night. My plan is to polish the headstock, do the tuners, fret it and then the day before the show finish sanding and polishing the back of the neck (removable necks rule). Like John I'm cutting it close, but it should be O.K....

I applied the last coat to a dreadnought last night so that one should go, it just needs a week in this summer weather to cure and then I just have to finish setting it up. At the very least I counted 3 I could comfortably take right now(including the one with the repaired corner on the top).

I'm going to try and take off the week of the festival so I have time to just finish out all the details and make sure I'm %100 ready, even Natalie from LMI was telling me that I should go even if I only have 1 guitar.

The other driving factor (beyond being beat soundly by my friends) is that I really do want to meet and spend some time with Paul and Tim and finally meet John and the others from the list...

Which reminds me... Lance should we do some flyers for the OLF to get more people interested, I'll have table space for sure, I was also hoping to get some from the Zootman as well that I could put on the table...

Just a thought..

Cheers

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Paul, Gald your reconsidering, so long as your sure!
Flyer's for the OLF would be FANTASTIC!!!!!!
and Much Appreciated!

Thanks for thinking of us!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Paul,

When I decided back in February or March to give Healdsburg a shot, I developed a timeline that I thought was reasonable, charted every move out and started implementing that plan. Everything went along well in the beginning, the builds were going smoothly and then I made a critical error. I started to think about the destination instead of paying attention to the process. To complicate things, I took a commission and committed to deliver it at the HGF.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't make allowances for all the collaterals (Photos, brochures, CASES!!!, etc.) and failed to realize that all the things take in inordinate amount of time. The commissioned guitar is not coming with me because of a split in the grain of the wood which didn't appear until it was completely finished. Fortunately, I have an understanding client, and I'll deliver that guitar after Healdsburg.

All of this is just to say that probably all first time exhibitors experience setbacks and situations that cause them to question themselves, myself included. The main reason I'm going is to experience the event. I hope to make some new friends and learn alot. If I should happen to sell a guitar, that would be great, but I won't consider the event a failure if I don't.

Good luck with your decision.

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Jimmy Caldwell
http://www.caldwellguitars.com

Way to go Paul

Here is wishing you every sucess at healdsburg.

Russell

The luthier's time management rule: estimate the maximum time it will take to complete a project--then double it!

Paul...Good luck with your decision. Sometimes you've just gotta downsize.CarltonM38568.5204976852

I did a realistic time line and a worst case time line. Went with the worst case time line, added a week to each step and am still finding myself uncomfortably under the gun. I have a neck angle problem on one of my three that is giving me fits. Now I also have a finish repair to do because of the neck angle problem. Next it will probably be a new top or something like that. I'm spending a lot of time "walking away" from the situation before I get mad and throw the thing across the shop.
Davis, glad things came around for you. I too wish you best of luck at HB (unless your good fortune means I lose a sale, then I'm going to take you out at the knees. )

[QUOTE=LanceK] Paul, Gald your reconsidering, so long as your sure!
Flyer's for the OLF would be FANTASTIC!!!!!!
and Much Appreciated!

Thanks for thinking of us![/QUOTE]

Good... so Lance do you have some flyers or do you want one of us to make some up? I'm sure Tim, Paul and John would put some out as well. If you don't want to print and ship just send me a PDF and I'll take it down to Kinko's and run a bunch and take them with me. Or I can try and cook some up for you

I think other builders should know about this place.....

Just let me know, we have to get going on them now...

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Yeah, take on another project when you are up against the ropes. By the way, I've got some drywall work that my wife wants me to do, you mind taking on that project as well?

I would suggest getting permission to put out flyers for the forum. They bill the HGF a luthier exhibit and it is about selling guitars, they only want you to promote your guitars. LMI has some rules about this. They don't even allow you to sell your mini concert performer's CDs, and have things set-up for that too.

One thing you might do (and I am not volunteering for this (sorry I will be busy) is have someone deliver a flyer to each of the builders.

Sprocket, gald you reconcidered, look me up when you are there.

That's a good point John... I'll email natalie tonight and ask her about it to make sure. I know they are strict about what you show but I don't recall anything on flyers...

I'll double check

-Paul-

(ignoring Woolson's comments for now, I'll just ask Natalie to put him next to me so we can share a table)

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

[QUOTE=Sprockett]

(ignoring Woolson's comments for now, I'll just ask Natalie to put him next to me so we can share a table) [/QUOTE]

So I won't have to hunt as much when I come at you to take you out at the knees!!!

Paul:
JohnO is correct. You will need to clear it with Natalie. You might ask her if you can hand them out during the Thursday night reception party. Then you would have access to almost of the luthiers and wouldn't have to worry about the hussle & bussle Fri-Sunday.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

OK gang.... and I quote:

Dear Paul,

It’s ok to put the OLF flyer on your table. The bulk of the attendees are players, not luthiers, however it could potentially spark interest in someone to build a guitar.

Thanks,

Natalie Swango


So Lance my question still stands... how do you want to do the flyers??

Let's get busy...

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars