Official Luthiers Forum!

G'day Charlie,

Welcome to the OLF, the most addictive internet experience I have come across. This place has made the words "virtual community" have a real meaning for me.

I am a new member as well, and although I have not posted much I have learnt a great deal. The archives seem to have the answer's to the questions I have come up with so far.

Since starting on this guitar building adventure I have found the luthier community to be very generous with their time and knowledge. Down here in Australia both Graham McDonald and Gerard Gilet have helped me out in different ways. Hopefully you will have a similar experience.

Wow... What an Incredible, but tragic story Charlie! You've got great will & spirit, to carry on after what you've been through.    

Welcome to the OLF...

Sounds like you've had an encounter with the worst of humankind. Folks here are kind, generous, and creative, I guess that's about the best of humankind.

Welcome aboard Charlie.

Welcome charlie, your lifes events are tragic, but I admire your spirit. Many would just give up and complain, it sounds like that will never be you. I have also been involved with other forums for various topics, and without a doubt none has ever come close to this one with respect to the attitude and respect everyone has. I think I have learned as much about freindship as I have about guitars here. You will love it. I read every post. don't care what they cover.
Ok, sometimes I can't keep up with serge's posts.    He must type really quick.   

Welcome, Charlie. You've come to the right place.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Hi Charlie and greetings from Toronto! This is a great forum -- you'll enjoy hanging out here. You will be amazed at how quickly any questions you may have are answered.

[QUOTE=mikev] Welcome charlie, your lifes events are tragic, but I admire your spirit. Many would just give up and complain, it sounds like that will never be you. I have also been involved with other forums for various topics, and without a doubt none has ever come close to this one with respect to the attitude and respect everyone has. I think I have learned as much about freindship as I have about guitars here. You will love it. I read every post. don't care what they cover.
Ok, sometimes I can't keep up with serge's posts.    He must type really quick.    [/QUOTE]

Mike, you should see me in the morning, what's left of my hair aiming at the ceiling, having a cold cup of coffee because i type or read too much and eat my (Canadian) Corn Flakes at the same time! My wife doesn't even want to get up at the same time as me anymore, i just freak her out

serge, it would be the perfect breakfast if you dropped a little chocolate ice cream in that cold coffee . You joined olf less then 2 weeks ahead of me, and you are 1500 post ahead. I gots some a writen to do... Love your post and your attitude truely though.

Welcome to the OLF, Charlie.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Hi Charlie, Welcome to the OLF.You will love it here!
Good luck with your first guitar build.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

[QUOTE=charliewood] hopefully I wont be too annoying to you guys [/QUOTE]
Annoy away, my friend!    Glad to have you in the fold!

Thanks Mike!

Welcome, Charlie,

Incredible story. I'm somewhat disabled myself, going back to early childhood and have met people whose will has led them to accomplish incredible things. I've learned that if you want to do something badly enough, there ain't much that can stop you!

This is a fine place to hang your hat. Reminds of sitting in a cozy old pub.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

[QUOTE=Shawn] Welcome Charlie,

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune and your loss of mobility, tools and wood but admire your spirit and drive to move on. Woodworking and especially guitar building is so enjoyable and to have a place like this to chat is cool

A few things...

I dont mean to be rude but when you say your are paralysed is it from the waist down...do you have the use of your arms? This will affect how you build your tools and work surfaces. I have known a man who sculpted large scale wood sculptures using tools held in his mouth and others that controlled things via mouth control.

If you are mobile then the key will be getting work surfaces at a height that will allow you the leverage needed without causing fatique.

Regarding "another forum"...the membership is a new thing...the wood is very nice but a bit overhyped. I have bought tops from him and they were mostly nice. The great thing to know is that Shane (High Mountain) logs in the same area in Canada (BC) and has access to the same quality and type of wood although he refers to it as Lutz Spruce (not a marketing name) as the scientific name is Picea Lutzii for a hydrid from Sitka and White Spruce. Shane also comes from a woodworking background (as do many other members). His wood is really reasonably priced for top quality spruce, no hype, very responsive, great wood.

Ed Dick of Acoustic Woods (another of the great OLF sponsors) works for Timbre Tonewoods and has an agreement to be the sole source for retail Timber Tonewood. Ed has great wood also...if you are looking for great Englemann, start there. Ed also will separate out unique Western Red Cedar tops that include things like bearclaw which is much more subtle in WRC than Sitka. Ed is another BC'er so you are in good company

Besides being a free forum who will find so many really helpful great guys from all over the world. Off the topic, when members have had health challenges or needed prayer there are many that are here to help. In respect for others this is always marked as Off topic (OT) and optional for all.

One of the things that has made this forum so successful is that Brock and Lance have made it a very inclusive group with a minimum of rules. Even without registering people can lurch freely.

The costs of running and maintaining this site are subsidized and partially underwritten by the sponsors who are all super to deal with although their is an optional membership deal which also includes lots of incentives such as discounts from sponsors and a subscription to Acoustic Guitar and membership in Association of String Instrument Artisans (ASIA) a great member run association for luthiers (both pros and amateurs).

Everything here has a personal touch with everything from the curious to the season master builders chiming in on various topics which I am sure you have already seen.

I used to have to search far and wide for a source of supply for things but the depth and quality of goods from the sponsors is amazing...just ask, one of them is bound to have it [/QUOTE]


Yes I do have use of my arms - believe it or not the first thing I did when I was shot and lying there - I realized I couldnt move my legs - was - I checked each finger one by one to see if I would still be able to play guitar, no joke.
In fact where I was shot was actually the lowest place a guy can get shot and still be paralysed {T12 vertabrea}- if the bullet had hit an inch lower I would still be walking, guess I should have jumped! LOL
Anyhow yeah setting up the shop is a bit different now - I try to get it so its more inclined to my physical range - but some things definitely are challenging. But as I said this is something I have been really really wanting to do for ages - so Im not going to let my limitations be a hindrance to my dream.
I can tell that this place will be invaluable aid to me already.
Cheers
Charlie

Hey Charlie, one little thing, you already know we're all here for one another for encouragement at building but we're also here for support on bad days too bro! And in those times, brace yourself for the fastest, quickest response of support coming from all over the world, Italy, Norway, Australia, England,Thailand and who Knows elsewhere it's gonna come from!

Not only did you hit the jackpot in terms of free information regarding lutherie but you also got yourself a very supportive Big Family!

Welcome Charlie, glad to have you join us. Looking forward to your participation.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

[QUOTE]if the bullet had hit an inch lower I would still be walking, guess I should have jumped! LOL [/QUOTE]

Boy! That's an important safety tip, when getting shot, jump! Hope it never happens to me or anybody else, for that matter. Funny how the mind works after the fact. Did they ever catch this guy?

    It's sounds like your doing well, notwithstanding. Were you in the hospital long? That can be almost worse than the injury.

    I was curious what type of guitar do you plan to build first! Any set plans? I think building and playing will help with keeping the mind right, it does for me. If I wasn't playing I'd probably be crazy by now!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Just thought I would follow up on the last couple of posts -
BillyT
Boy! That's an important safety tip, when getting shot, jump! Hope it never happens to me or anybody else, for that matter. Funny how the mind works after the fact. Did they ever catch this guy?

CW
No they didnt catch the guys who did this to me - unbelieveably~!! The investigation is still ongoing.
     
BillyT
It's sounds like your doing well, notwithstanding. Were you in the hospital long? That can be almost worse than the injury.

CW
I was in intensive care for a week and a half - the hospital for another week, after that I was in acute rehab center for a month, then in rehab co-op housing for 6 months while I continued therapy, then I cou ld finally go back to the home I loved only to pack up and leave it seeig as it wasnt suitable for my new condition.
The worst part wasnt being in the hospital but the searing nerve pain - I could feel ppl walking BY my bed - no-one could actually touch me for weeks! <except for doctors when they absolutely had too. The SCI nerve pain still exists today 4 1/2 years later, some days are ok some are bad and I cant function - unfortunately this makes working a steady job nearly impossible.
Never get never get SCI nerve pain if you can help it -Its the worst imagineable, watch your spine, its something you never think about - but its important - and yes when getting shot at jump - unless they are shooting high then duck, .


BillyT
I was curious what type of guitar do you plan to build first! Any set plans? I think building and playing will help with keeping the mind right, it does for me. If I wasn't playing I'd probably be crazy by now!

CW
I was planning to build a grand concert, and while it would be nice to have a cutaway I dont think that would be the best idea for the first time acoustic builder, from all the books I have read and opinions I have heard. Brad Goodman sent me a nice set of shimmery curl koa B&S so that is what Im planning on using for that, I also ordered a #2snakewood fretboard from Brad, Im thinkin snakewood headplate of #2 material as well as a end graft of the same material would be a nice complement to that with some #1 snakewood binding.
Paua rosette, I have a nice chunk of mammoth ivory for nut and saddle and I would like to use a very nice grade of mahogany for the neck, rosewood bridge, light fruitwood stain w/a nitro finish.
This is my daydream {SJ also enters the picture which is ok at this stage} but I have much preparation to do - jigs to build and materials/tools to acquire, etc - the shop needs to be set up just for my physical specs now that I am only 3 apples tall, I havent made many new acquiantances in my new area so I will doing this mostly alone.
I have had to learn patience since this happened to me, and its no different with this endeavour - I am unemployed so the funding for this project comes from odd repair jobs and my paltry disability check. But I will accomplish the necesarry prerequisite preparation eventually.

Cheers to everyone for making me feel welcome here I cant wait to get going, with all your guys guidance.
Charliewood