In Praise of Luthiers

Subject: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Amos
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 08:20 PM

It's a world of woe and travail, no doubt. But every now and again a single person stands up and holds back the flood of overwhelming trouble and makes things go right for a change. When such a person crosses your trail, the stars are a bit brighter because you known enlightened human effort is on your side and good things are being made to happen thereby. Take luthiers, for example.

Those of us who love to pound and torque our poor instruments in bright sunlight and dank fog and sumer heat and mmountain dust and carnival vibrations and even thunderstorms know what it is to be in love with a musical instrument. No-one can ever explain what holding a deepthroated, wide-bout dreadnought that suddenly clicks into singing on your command, shaking your own ribs and the rafters and everything with a sweet musick can be like. No-one who has experienced it needs any explanation.

Take Chris Camp, of Camp Music. You might think he was a New Yawk beatnik or taxidriver to look at him. But ask him why your favorite Martin is slightly deeper in the mids than another one of the same make and model, and he'll amaze you with an analysis down to the trees the wood came from and the weather they grew up in. Well, not quite -- but awful close. He's Martin's designated warranty luthier for this part of the world. When my 60's era D35 started uncurling its bridge, I called Chris.

And after 3 moths of heartbroken separation, I got her back today. Her X-braces had been replaced, her saddle and saddle plate had too. She had a new bridge, a new nut and new frets and strings. She'd been cleaned up from top to bottom and shone like the evening star, her Brasilian rosewood glinting. And sound!! I swan it was like holding a singing angel to your heart. And better than new, as far as I was concerned.

So I am forever in Chris' debt. Sure I paid him for his work, but that is never the whole story with a real luthier. Because I know my baby is carrying his affectionate care and careful eye and delicate hand-crafted work around inside her, just as surely as the ghost of old man Martin is in there, too, somewhere...

Now you who are luthiers know what he must have gone through on this old guitar, and a little of why it was magic; and when he comes around here (as he has promised me he will) I hope you will greet him as a right master of the trade and a brother. He's one hell of a guy and a life-saving luthier of the first order.

Thanks, Chris. When you get here, welcome to the Mudcat. May you relish the hours spent here among friends.


A

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 08:31 PM

Ned Ludd is a good luthier too and pretty darned cuddly to boot.

Well I think so.

LTS

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: open mike
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 11:33 PM

OUR VERY OWN MAX WAS IN THE CHAT THE OTHER NIGHT
and he was in need of luthier services for an
injured guitar...i hope he is able to fix it.
--->donations, any one!!???<------

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Wesley S
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 01:26 PM

Luthiers are unsung heros indeed. The modern day equivalent of an alchemist.

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Raedwulf
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 01:31 PM

Errr... Does anyone know of a good luthier in the London area? And I mean luthier in the old sense of the word! Not a guitar-fixer, but a lute maker. Only I've got a busted lute, see... :(

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: DADGBE
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 03:02 PM

I hope all of you are blessed with fine luthiers in your vicinities.

Here in Northern California we have several amazing ones but the best I've ever seen is Lewis Santer of Oakland CA. This guy performs magic with very difficult repairs on a weekly basis. Then he saves the impossible ones for the weekends. He's an official, certified, go'mint inspected C. F. Martin repair guy and often has one or two of those amazing 19th century Martins in for museum quality restorations.

Hope you'll never need a luthier's services but if disaster strikes, get the best.

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: jeffp
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 04:22 PM

Amos, I hope Chris reads your tribute. He must indeed be something special.

jeffp

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Áine
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 04:34 PM

I know how much you've missed your darlin', dear Amos. I'm so pleased that Chris lived up to his reputation and that you've got yer baby back home where she belongs!

Now I'm looking forward to hearing some lovely, lovely musical magic from over San Diego way . . . just keep her safe from those pesky fires ;-)

Luv ya, Áine

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 05:51 PM

One of my close friends (Phil Atkinson) recently had the whole front of his left handed D41 replaced. The luthier had it three months. Phil got it back in February in time for our folk clubs weekend of walking and music. When he struck the first few chords to a well known song he plays , the busy room in the pub went silent in seconds and it was pin drop time until the song ended.

I have never heard such an amazing sound from an accoustic guitar in my life. It was certainly better than anything I have heard from the Martin factory. I can't tell you who the luthier was but he deserves a long and happy life for what he did to that guitar.

Wish it was mine.

Spot the Dog

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Amos
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 06:43 PM

I just left Chris Camp, Luthier Extraordinaire, a message telling to come read this thread, so he better git his butt over here.

:>) My axe sounds BOOOOOTIFUL!!


A

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: GUEST,Sleepless Dad
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 08:03 PM

It makes me wonder if any young kids are going to get into this line of work or is this a dying artform ?

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Mooh
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 08:10 PM

Always wanted to build guitars and haven't done much more than repair them for years. I'm a born tinkerer, so I've been tweaking guitars for all of the 32 years that I've known them. I do my own set-ups and most of my own repairs, take in work for others, and do some odd customizing.

One of my guitar students last year suddenly decided he was gonna build the things, went and did a course, set up shop in his folk's yard and has so far done some nice work. I am waiting on a mandolin/guitar hybrid, and just today he offered to build a "lesson guitar" for me. The lesson guitar will be a delux beater designed to take the abuses of my revolving door of lessons. Cool guy doing cool things.

I've got some small shop instruments and they are all among my most favourite and valued possessions. I greatly admire Jim Moon and Marc Beneteau because of their contributions to my happiness, and their otherworldly skill and ability. Maybe by the end of the year I'll have that student friend to add to the list.

I've an old friend who is reknown for his clever (and cheap) repairs, and I marvel at his willingness to share his knowledge with me. He also builds cool things like 4 and 5 string fiddles and resonator tenor guitars and such like. Folks like him renew my faith in mankind.

In Praise of Luthiers...Alleluia!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: GUEST,Chris Camp
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 08:12 PM

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Amos
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 08:44 PM

Well, he came by !! :>) Chris...next time type something in the little box!! :>)


A

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: GUEST,Chris Camp
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 08:52 PM

The kind words from fine quality folks like Amos help keep guys like me both busy and inspired..If you're a Luthier, you'll know what I mean when I say,"In Praise of Great Customers"!!!...You know I've had the previledge of working for some the the greatest and most famous musicians in the world and don't get me wrong, many of these people are humble, super talented,interesting artists and a pleasure to serve. However, the ones in the trenches of everyday singin' and playin' are the ones who keep me going..Many,many of my "no name recognition" clients,(all of whose instruments enjoy "member of the family" status), are the backbone of our industry and the fuel that keeps us running..Here at my place, As one of my wonderful customers, Norm the "Telecat" put it,we are commissioned to "perform art on demand" and doing so requires a convergence of many disciplines and skills..When a client is sensitive to this, like good ol' Amos has been,it not only makes it easier to do the work, the work takes on a life of it's own,and greater more satisfying results seem to appear almost effortlessly.. Kinda like when you have those moments when everything is in tune and you can tell you're singing in key and on beat...Hold on to those gems,plant them, nurture them, and they will multiply..Guys like Amos & Norm come in with fertilizer and throw it all over the room, and man, we really appreciate them.(I don't mean they sling alot of BS..) Without excited,energized customers like Amos, we most surely could slip into the rut of everyday work..So I just want remind the folks that our heros are guys like Amos & all the determined pickers out there beatin' their instruments into submission and ultimately beatin' on our doors for help. Thanks for keeping us inspired and eager to come to work in the morning...And remember the Camp Music motto: "Don't Delay,Sing & Play,..Everyday"!!!!

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: John P
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 09:05 PM

Three people all got the winning numbers for a lottery, a lawyer, a doctor, and a luthier. When asked by a newspaper reporter how they were going to spend the money, the lawyer said he was going fund a legal center in Peru. The doctor said he was going start and contribute to an inner city free health clinic. The luthier said, "Oh, I just thought I'd build guitars until the money runs out . . ."

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 09:08 PM

Paul Stroh has been a treasure for me for repairs I couldn't handle. He just saved the day again. I needed an old piece of ivroid binding for a project I've been working on and he had just the thing lying about and offered it to me for free. It turned out to be just exactly what was needed and made that part of the project so much easier to finish. (cue the Mighty Mouse theme song) "Here they come to save the day!"....

Subject: RE: In Praise of Luthiers
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 12:35 PM

Aw shucks Liz, I'm all embarrassed. Just like to hear instruments playing their best! and made a couple that weren't too bad.

The man who makes that special instrument.He's the one I admire!