This past weekend, I attained the status of "amateur luthier." It's not something I would recommend for just anyone :~} and certainly not for the "faint of heart." Sometimes, necessity becomes the empowering function in a situation like this. Below are two posts I made to the Flatpick L ... the "before I did it" and the "after I did it."

I'm feeling just pretty darn good about the whole thing ...!

"Tonight I am going to play my biggest role, yet. I am starring in the vignette "Amateur Luthier." I will be drilling a hole in the lower bout end of my new Larrivee so I can screw in a strap button. It looks to be a very simple procedure: drill-out - screw-in. Mario Proulx says: measure twice, drill once. Rick Fielding says: lubricate the drill bit and the screw - WD40 or spit will work. So, I have my instruments assembled: cordless drill and assorted drillbits; WD40; strap button; strap; antiseptic soap to wash my hands; plastic gloves; one bottle Honey Brown Ale (for the surgeon) to steady the hands. "No Guts - No Glory" ... truer words were never spoken."

"I did it!!! It took me all day and half the night to get me courage up, but I did it. I took everyone's advice: called the local luthier a few times-no answer (thank you Stan Rhoden); drilled holes in a piece of scrap, to see which drill bit to use, and tested strap button screw for "fit"{thank you Robert Orr); put a strip of masking tape over the spot to be drilled (thank you Bryan Kimsey); WD40'd the drill bit and screw (thank you Rick Fielding); measured twice and drilled once (thank you Mario Proulx). I held my breath and, with heart in throat, drilled the hole, and was so happy the drill went in and came back out with everything intact. Screwed in the strap button and Voila! ... a button on the end of my Larrivee to attach a strap. What a day this has been. I should sleep well tonight. Whew!!!!"

moonjen deftly still dislodging heart from throat