Official Luthiers Forum!

Michael,
We feel your pain. Although not involved with this build, I was involved on another. You are to be saluted on the valiant effort and enthusiasm alone.

Michael, where are we at? I mean who has it, what stage is the guitar in, etc.

Before we throw in the towel (or bending iron as the case may be) let's be sure that the momentum has really ceased.

That being said, if my postings about the attitude at St. Jude's had anything to do with any changes in heart, I sincerely apologize. Such was not my intent.

I believe the project is worthwhile and that the cause is a noble one. I realize that I took a relatively minor role but that was simply due to my inexperience in lutherie. I chose the area where I could be affective. I simply did not feel that it was my place to make decisions for the people actually doing the work which is why I posted what was going on.

The answer is simple. If St. Jude's doesn't appreciate all your efforts, there are only about 9,999 charities that will! Don't get me wrong, I wish St. Jude's nothing but good, they do fine work but if this is what has people stopped in their tracks then let's move on!

Tally ho!!

Regards, Steve

PS I have no idea where "tally ho" came from. Maybe it's my British heritage finally leaking out.

I see a smolder, a smoke, a flicker, a flame, it's Steve. May I also echo, "Tally Ho!" My heritage is Scotch Irish, and all I recall from the great potato famine was, "Let's get the heck out of here!"

My family's English as well, but I don't think I've ever said "tally ho".
If I have a say in this, I'll say that I agree with Steve. If we have to cut bait with St Judes, let's do it and find someone else. But let's keep moving. Let's hire a project manager that doesn't mind yelling at people (Bruce D, I think that is you) and let's get 'er done.
I think everyone can benefit from the experience of working with other builders. It's not necessarily the easiest thing to start work on an already worked on project. But it's fun and it keeps our building skills sharp.

I can have the fretboard done in one day if need be. I have the stuff to do
it..just say the word...and the word is Tally Ho I suppose.....

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

It seems to me that with all the talent we have on this forum that a joint venture like this should be a cakewalk. I think the solution is simple. Although we all have good intentions and want to volunteer either our services, money or parts we should think long and hard before making a committment that we can't keep. If you can't committ the time necessary to complete your part of the build in a timely fashion then don't volunteer. Share in some other way.

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[QUOTE=Dickey] I see a smolder, a smoke, a flicker, a flame, it's Steve. May I also echo, "Tally Ho!" My heritage is Scotch Irish, and all I recall from the great potato famine was, "Let's get the heck out of here!"[/QUOTE]

Thanks, that means a lot. btw, I'm half Scotch myself (and half soda! )

Steve

What BobC said!
Maybe this would be a good time to regroup and make sure people still are into this project. If not, let's find someone that is. No hard feelings. I know of at least two of us are working on a major show this summer and are going to be hard pressed for time it this thing doesn't get moving pretty soon.

[QUOTE=Bobc] It seems to me that with all the talent we have on this forum that a joint venture like this should be a cakewalk. I think the solution is simple. Although we all have good intentions and want to volunteer either our services, money or parts we should think long and hard before making a committment that we can't keep. If you can't committ the time necessary to complete your part of the build in a timely fashion then don't volunteer. Share in some other way. [/QUOTE]

Bob, I like your new avatar. Why did you stretch the picure sideways? Or did you? OOps, sorry.

I think the only hold up is time planing related. I am still as gung Ho as ever as I am sure most are but a lot of tasks require having the guitar or parts of it in hand to perform each task. I beleive time planing is the on reall issue. Paul is right a project manager is the answer. I thought Don was going to do this. but I don't care how does. For the next person down the line to have a chance in h-e double ll they need to know when the bomb is going to hit, as they say.

I am only providing a pickup for the guitar so I'll leave the decision up to those that are commiting time to the project. That being said, I say lets just pop the clutch and get back in gear and we will get there when we get there. There is no deadline on charity.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

[QUOTE=Pwoolson] let's keep moving. Let's hire a project manager that doesn't mind yelling at people and let's get 'er done.[/QUOTE]

Paul,

You know what they say, you point one finger, and there are three pointing back. You'd make a great manager Paul, because you are 1)good with people 2)are versed in the subject matter 3)and dedicated.

St. Jude's has probably had decades of experience with people who make promises they don't keep--hence their perceived lack of enthusiasm. If you quit now, you'll just reinforce that attitude. They also probably don't really know guitarmaking from quiltmaking, and don't want their logo on a piece of junk ('cause they just don't know who the heck you guys are!). Surprise 'em!!!

Oh, Bruce, I'd make a terrible manager. That's why I work alone, I can't stand working with people. I'm a hermit for crying out loud.
Plus, since this has dragged on longer than I anticipated, I'll be lucky to get my meager share done in any sort of timely manner. I've got 4 flattops and 2 archtops to finish by July 4. Pwoolson38747.8062847222

[QUOTE=CarltonM] St. Jude's has probably had decades of experience with people who make promises they don't keep--hence their perceived lack of enthusiasm. If you quit now, you'll just reinforce that attitude. They also probably don't really know guitarmaking from quiltmaking, and don't want their logo on a piece of junk ('cause they just don't know who the heck you guys are!). Surprise 'em!!![/QUOTE]

No disrespect intended, but ... I emphatically disagree. I think their response was rude and apathetical to an amazing gesture of good will.

While I fully and completely acknowledge that they do "good work" I think that someone gracious and eager to be the recipient should be chosen. There are no shortages of organizations that could use support.

If St. Judes has so much money and folks standing in line to give them things then perhaps they don't really need it.

but of course... that is just my .02 worth...    Brock Poling38747.8130439815

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

I'm to new here to have an opinion under serious consideration, but what about some of the musician's groups that got wiped out by Katrina...NOLA or some other community...put a guy back to work...

I made an offer over on the labor thread on the Charity Forum. If this proceeds, then I'll talk with the principals regarding the "quote: perfect" benefactor. But you are right Michael it is perfect. It will help the OLF in three ways to select this one.

I backed out in favor of someone who has the OLF SJ bending forms to bend and install the bindings. I'm pretty much shut down to building right now anyway. Not sure when/if I'll go back to it.

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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."

Guys I have the bending forms and would be happy to install the bindings but the problem is that I will need the guitar back later to do the finish as I was to French polish it

St. Judes isn't interested in thousand dollar size donation items. They need millions of dollars to expand and fund research. They are a medical entity, and although they do good work, they really don't know who we are, or care.
Were too far out of their donor "field of vision" for them to want to risk anything at all.

I do agree that smaller non-profits that need exposure, catering to smaller personal (not corporate) donors is exactly our niche as well.

2 more cents.



Craig Lavin

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www.handcraftinlay.com

[QUOTE=Brock Poling] [QUOTE=CarltonM] St. Jude's has probably had decades of experience with people who make promises they don't keep--hence their perceived lack of enthusiasm. If you quit now, you'll just reinforce that attitude. They also probably don't really know guitarmaking from quiltmaking, and don't want their logo on a piece of junk ('cause they just don't know who the heck you guys are!). Surprise 'em!!![/QUOTE]

No disrespect intended, but ... I emphatically disagree. I think their response was rude and apathetical to an amazing gesture of good will.

While I fully and completely acknowledge that they do "good work" I think that someone gracious and eager to be the recipient should be chosen. There are no shortages of organizations that could use support.

If St. Judes has so much money and folks standing in line to give them things then perhaps they don't really need it.

but of course... that is just my .02 worth...    [/QUOTE]

Brock, I mean no disrespect but we need to be clear on exactly what St. Jude's said. There definately WAS interest expressed. The problem came when we tried to get permission to incorporate their logo in the design. This is where things ground to a halt and it took several weeks to get a ruling. They ultimately said, no. I was stunned by this but I have no further explanation beyond that they had "new rules" regarding the logo's use.

This being said, I have no problem switching camps if that is what is decided. If I had a say here (and I don't), I would suggest we get the guitar built without personalization and worry about a suitable charity later.

Steve

I'll say it again....why do we need their logo? We have a great inlay artist who is going to do inlay work on this instrument. This is a great opportunity for him to do something artistic that will reflect the mission of St Jude's. Why are we getting all bent out of shape over this?????

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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."