Official Luthiers Forum!

   I'm starting my second week after rotator cuff surgury on my right shoulder and boredom is setting in. I won't be able to work for 4 to 6 months - not sure yet how long before I can play again. Anyway, please keep posting pictures of the great guitars everyone here builds so I'll be inspired when I can build again.

                   Peace, Paul Harrell

My heart goes out to you Paul, hang in there, i'll be thinking of you when i'm in the shop so i can appreciate what i have, i'll also have a thought when i post pics.

Serge

Paul Hang in there you'll be fine. Time moves slowly when youre recovering, but soon it will just be a memory, and you'll be better than before.

Al

Paul, I have been in a similar situation for a couple of months but for entirely different reasons. Fortunately, my exile has ended this past Sunday.

Get better soon and do what I did, dream...

Regards, Stevesfbrown38853.8161805556

Paul,

Hope you can resist playing that beautiful dred you posted picture of a few days ago, so you can let that shoulder heal.

Looking at other builders' work on forums isn't quite like building your own, but it sure helps me when I'm stuck behind a desk all day.

We're rootin' for ya. Get well.

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

Paul,

   I tore my right rotator cuff a few years ago and was unable to work for about a year and have been limited in my abilities since, but I've chosen to avoid the surgery. I'd spoken with a very well known builder who'd suffered a similar injury and was still recovering to some extent after nearly six years since his surgery.

   I've been on a disciplined regimen of connective tissue supplements and stretching/flexibility exercizes since the injury and have made some inroads to recovery, but pain still comes and shortens my work day more often than I'd like.

   Be patient and careful as you recover and listen to your shoulder when you're able to get a few hours in your shop again. Mine will actually swell up if i push it too much and I have to ice it and copnsider myself done until the next morning. Sometimes after 12 hours, but other time after only 2 or so.

   I found myself changing tools, bench heights and alot of my jigs and fixtures to accommodate my new range of movement limitations and to avoid further injury. I don't know if you'll experience the same things, though.

   Here's hoping for a full recovery for you.

All the best,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega GuitarsKevin Gallagher38853.8185648148

   Thanks everyone. Patience is not what I do best, but I guess I'm going to learn... Kevin I can already see that I will have to redesign some things in my shop when I can work again, and I think the first guitar I build will be a wedge for myself.

                            Paul Harrell