Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009

Subject: Obit: Lance McCollum, Luthier
From: DebC
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 10:22 PM

Lance McCollum, a world-class luthier who built guitars for folks like Martin Simpson, Luka Bloom, Peppino D'Agostino, Laurence Juber and Ed Gerhard passed away suddenly from an aortal aneurism.

There will be no memorial service as per Lance's wishes. Condolences can be sent to Lance's good friend and fellow luthier Hank Mauel at [e-mail] . Lance will be missed and I was fortunate enough to have met him and played his fabulous instruments. At the time I visited Lance, back in the Autumn of 2007, he had just received an order for a guitar for actress Renèe Zellweger.

You can take a look at Lance's fine craftamanship HERE

Go in peace, Lance. Maybe you can build a guitar for John Martyn.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 11:44 PM

How sad. It doesn't look as though he was very old, either. His guitars are really fine and sound so rich. I am enjoying his audio files even though it is sad to know there won't be any more.

Peace be with you, Mr. McCollum,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 02:06 PM

Sad news indeed.

My friend Mike has one of his guitars. Mike's a luthier himself but was so impressed by Lance's work that he not only had Lance build him a guitar, but supplied the Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides from his own stash. He was literally a luthier's luthier.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST,big sister
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 11:36 PM

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: Mooh
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 08:50 AM

What a shame and a loss! Lovely guitars. Hope and pray his loved ones are getting some comfort.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 04:02 PM

I got to hang out with Lance at the Namm this year. I learn sooo much from him in just 3 days! Ill miss him!

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST,C Kincaid
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 11:02 PM

I knew Lance from 2003 and finally was able to buy a guitar from him prior to the Healdsburg Guitar Festival in 2005. Whenever I'd stop by his shop we'd talk about surfing in Southern California and he'd tell me stories about how he managed to obtain the amazing wood he used to make his guitars. My guitar is a Grand Auditorium with an Italian Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides (from his "special" stash as he called it) with an amazing inlay up the fretboard. It sounds so wonderful. Once I put a ding in it and asked him if he could repair it, two weeks later you wouldn't know where the ding was. I last saw him at the Healdsburg Festival in 2007 and as always he was smiling and proud of his instruments and the people who played his guitars. I'll miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST,guitar lover
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 12:19 PM

R.I.P Lance, the world will be a lesser place without you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST,Jim Schmidt
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 10:45 AM

Tragic loss. I met Lance at a guitar show in Folsom,Ca. He was such a Gentleman and very open to share his knowledge. My best wishes to you Lance and your family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 09 - 12:53 AM

Lance and Dawn and the family were personal friends of mine. Lance took the time to help me with my first guitar and taught me so much, in a short time. He was a GREAT luthier and friend and his passing is a huge shock. He will be missed by so many people, and every day, as I work in my shop, I have a picture of Lance and I, to remind me of this great man. Our prayers go out to Dawn and his children, hoping that the pain will pass with time.
LOVE and PEACE,   Bruce and Susan Boucher

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST,dgd
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:13 PM

After playing guitar for 25 years I happened upon an audio sample of one of Lance's guitars....although I have not bought one (yet) it is my benchmark for comparison.

Lance's family can be proud of his achievments.

dgd

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST,Julie
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 07:37 PM

I was saddened to hear about Mr. McCollum. I had the pleasure of meeting him while conducting business in Colfax, and he made a lasting impression on me. He proudly showed me his workshop and couldn't have been more accommodating, and I will remember him fondly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lance McCollum, N. Cal Luthier-Jan 2009
From: GUEST,lances friend and roomate in CT in 1980
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 10:20 PM

I'm in shock. Is this my best friend from mansfield ct who passes? We were roomates in the early 80's and jammed. Lance was a prodigy. His mom. And sister were my friends. Lance left ct to ca to find fame and I knew that without a doubt that he would make it. Lance was unique. If you knew him PLEASE call me at 860-394-6954.