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My roommate from Galloup School now works for Dana Bourgeois in Lewiston, ME. He now is building for the most part necks. I know it is a production place, with 9 luthiers. From what I have understood, although have a main responsibility, there are opportunities to work on other things at times, to eventually getting to ability to do everything. I think in the long run I would be better at building and repairing guitars. OK, distracted. Well they have an apprenticeship opening and after some though, speaking with Ronda (my beautiful wife) and folks at Pantheon,they want me to come to the shop and work for a couple of weeks, and if a good fit for both of us, the possiblity they would take me on as apprentice. I had a lot of considerations in personal things, but those have worked out. They understand that my main goal on my own time while there, and once in few years I may move on,my main goal is still work for Vets, their kids, and USMC 3d Recon. This of course would allow me to be much better and faster at that work and provide more guitars to those folks. I could then feel good about selling at ebay or local venue to offset the cost of that. Last year was about 7K in materials, tools and other things with no reimbursement. I can't keep going at that rate, but don't want to get into a competive market place either. My wife is considering once we would finish in Maine, she would like to open a small guitar/dulcimer and other stringed instrument shop in the Branson Mo and Ozark area. I could continue my work I do, and she could do what she has always wanted to do. I of course don't know if they will want me after the 2 weeks and how it will all end up, but this is a thing I just couldn't pass up at least trying. My only apprehension has been leaving the grandkids. I can miss the kids ok, but the grandkids is a whole different thing. My wife has however pointed out that there are airports in OK and Maine, and technology has gotten where we could buy all the kids a higher end video cam. Sorry for the ramble, but been holding onto this a couple of weeks until I knew they were interested enough for me to come. One thing working in my favor also is I don't require but very little if any compensation and prefer not to be compensated, again for personal reasons. Ask for your thoughts and prayers that things work out,and how they are supposed to, and not just my emotions and excitement. Thanks
Stan

Stan, thats awesome! you'll have my thought and prayers buddy! Thanks for share this with us!

Congrats

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I think this sounds GREAT!!!

This is a great opportunity, and I think your wife is right. You will figure out a way to see your grand kids.

bpoling38380.538599537

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

You go for it buddy, I hope it works out for you. You deserve it.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Does this mean we won't be seeing you post anymore?

Hey Stan, this is a great opportunity, and I'd say after two weeks on board, you'll know if you should move there or not. Again, ask John Mayes, he's been there done that....

John, how long were you at Bourgeois?

Incredible work comes out of there, I saw a Gibson-style slope shoulder Bourgeois with an incredible sunburst finish at a store in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Blue Moon Music. It looked great and I wish it had new strings on it, so I could have really appraised the sound. But the fit and finish alone stood out to declare "great guitar".

I noticed one of the Dixie Chicks was sporting a Bourgeois too. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are all for you Stan!

Having trouble spelling Bourgeois? B-our-geo-is, B, our, geo, is. Simple.Dickey38380.5589467593

You bet I will continue to post. I may be not when there for the 2 weeks, but if move there for sure. Can take a laptop anywhere, and once setup in home, have this system. Who knows, maybe son could get in the Al antic Fleet and sub in one of Maine or NE stations

I find that when I'm in a fog on an issue my wife usually has the voice of reason that leads me out of it. Sounds like your wife is doing the same for you now. I say go for it, if you don't like it then the worse you've come out is two weeks of free guitar making lessons from a high end maker.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide.

Stan...

There are two types of people in this world to my way of thinking:

1. Those who followed their dreams and grabbed the ring on their turn around the circle...

2. Those who regret not following their dreams, and talk about about woulda, coulda, shoulda...

You may indeed find that at the end of two weeks your not a good fit but at least you tried, and there's no way you cannot walk away a better person for the experience.

I look at it this way, showing up is half the battle, the rest is drive, attitude and willingness to learn and I think you have that in spades...

Once my kids are out of the house I would happily change my standard of living to work in a shop like that, My wife can do her accounting if we need a little extra (I don't think she could stop if she wanted too, she enjoys it too much).

Go for it..

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

I am pretty sure I will love it and Maine has always been a dream for me to live. I love the whole New England area. I think it is a matter if they like me and what I would be able to offer. I am pretty optimistic about it all working

Stan, you have a kind heart and a generous soul!!!
I too have difficulty making family decisions when it comes to changing locals and being separated from our children.
It's tough. Keep praying and I will keep you in MY prayers too!! Somehow God always directs us in the right direction. We just have to be smart enough to see the signs.
It's not easy sometimes, especially when the signs are as large as :Billboards".
Take care!
Walter

Stan: What a great oportunity to have. Must be a tough decision though,I'm sure. You will know after two weeks if your the man they need. May the Good LORD direct your hands and skills to do a good job. I will try and keep you in my prayers for the next little while. We will see how this goes for you. And I know he answers prayer so it will work out for the best for all. Keep looking up and smiling. Have a good two weeks and I certainly hope to hear your impression of the work opportunity. God Bless.

Stan,

Go for it! Sure sounds like a really great opportunity to follow a dream. You will know pretty quickly if it is the right thing to do. It could be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so it sure is worth taking a look at.

Keep us posted!

Jeff

Well, speaking selfishly, it would be cool to have you be a New Englander for a little while and have you come to the NEL group meetings.

Hey Stan, you could come down to my place and raid my redwood stash!

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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."

Maine is a great state! Some of us New Enlanders may get a chance to meet ya.

Go for it Stan. You are in a situation where you can at least give it a shot and I know it has to be a hard decision. At least you'll never look back and say I should have. And besides, just think about the experience of spending a few weeks in that shop. Regardless, you will still have all of us at OLF pulling for you which ever decision you make. Good luck my friend and congrats on having such an understanding wife .

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Of course you've got to go for it. You don't want to be sitting at home in ten yeras time thinking "What if?" I once had the chance to go on an Everest Expedition, but felt I had too much work on at the time, so turned it down. Realistically I'm too old to do it now, so I'll never stand on top of the world. These chances usually come along only once. Anyway, you know your wife is always right!.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Stan this is indeed a great opportunity for you. I know what you mean about the grandkids but your wife is right. Once in a lifetime chance. Go for it.

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