Official Luthiers Forum!

For a while now, a couple of years actually it's been on my mind that maybe it's time to go from the OLF and get on with my life as I would.

Having given this a lot of thought including the message that I wanted to be my last post it was important to me to leave the OLF as I found the place, happy and inclusive.

Back in the day people here were very helpful and the level of encouragement was off the charts. Many of us got into competitions of sorts with each other for this or that, etc. We also saw dozens and dozens of new guitars produced often monthly by a number of the members.

There was lots of sharing AND we had some pros here who were keen to share and I for one benefited greatly from them. I speak of Mario P. and Rick Turner. Funny thing, back then I did not get on with both Mario and Rick and then as I learned more they became friends. I'm grateful to both of them for hanging in with me and helping me get started.

With all of this said I made the jump to "L speed" or the jump from corporate America to full time professional Luthier and never looked back. The OLF was key to my own success and I remain grateful to those back then who set us all straight and at times made it clear that thicker skin is not a bad thing.

So my last message is this. Thank You for your participation here at the OLF too. I'm wishing you all the best of luck. Please do consider serviceability as "critical to quality" of your creations. Please also consider networking with others who work in the trade you may find that what's really important in a guitar, that it's a "tool for a musician" is the focus and not the rosette.

Take care, good luck, stay safe.

And for old times sake when I wanted to encourage folks here:

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Ann Arbor Guitars

R U retiring from luthiery Hesh. or just from the OLF? whichever I wish you all the best in your new endeavours, and yes I do appreciate all the input from OLF ers it gives me a different perspective on things . Its easy to get caught up in doing activities in the shop in a certain way There are many roads to get to whatever our goal is . !!.

Hey Hesh, sorry to see you go. Many thanks once again for every bit of advice you’ve sent my and many other's way.

Here's hoping you’ll still be in the shop when I finally make this trip to Ann Arbor.

Keep safe, my friend.

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Pierre Castonguay

Hesh--

I hope you are stepping away for reasons that improve your life and health, and assuming that is true, I applaud you for it, and wish you the best. Thanks for all of the guidance you have provided to me, and to all of us in general. I trust you are going to leave your recorded wisdom intact, so that we can all reference it as needed. Take care, and God bless!

Deja Vu? He'll be back again

But if not then best to you Hesh. Not only will your advice based on experience be missed but your wit and humor will be too.

We'll miss you! Hope all goes well for you going forward.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Hesh, You'll be missed and you don't need to be a total stranger!
Thanks for your participation here.
So long and thanks for all the fish.
Jim

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Best wishes to you Hesh. I'm just new to Guitars, and have many questions. Most seem to get answered here, so it's been pretty good. I don't know what it was like in the good ole days, but I went on this forum because it seemed to be more active than other guitar forums; not as active as Maestronet for violins, but pretty active. Thanks for welcoming me.

I was lucky enough to find a local violin makers association that usually meets in Ann Arbor, one of the Meccas of violin making. 3 or 4 meetings a year gives me at least some feedback. That's hard to do online. Haven't found anything like that for guitars.

Good luck.

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Why be normal?

Thank you for all your contributions, Hesh. I spend a lot of time in the archives here and I always find answers to my questions from you, thank you for sharing your experience.

Take care!
Brad

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Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars

Take care, Hesh. I've never met you but I know I would like you if I did. Best of luck, health and happiness in whatever you do

We will await your return Hesh. The OLF is irresistible

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

You will be missed by many, including me. I hope I will come across many of your sound advice when building or repairing.

Thanks. And please, cave in and post some more.

Hey Hesh, You'll be missed! Go forth and prosper ... and stay hydrated!

Seriously, I am so overwrought I don't know what to post.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

So long, and thanks for all the fish. And all the good advice. All the best in whatever is next.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

enjoyed the banter and respect we had for each other. Peace my friend

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Didnt you try this once before? Thanks again for all your help and assistance. I have used your method for neck angle sets and setup on my last three guitars and all came out perfect first time with minimal fret dressing required.Enjoy whatever you do next and thanks again. Bob

Hesh

Thanks for all the help over the years. - Mike G

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guitarsbygiltzow.com

Here's waving a hand at you... Been a fan since Heshtoneguitars.com. Thanks for all the tips that work.

Carl

It will NOT be the same without you!

Here's to good life.
"live long and prosper"

Mike

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Mike Collins

Seem to remember a similar post a little while ago.
So, if that what you want to do, best of luck and thanks for all the Hesh-help you leave behind.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Thanks Hesh for all your posts. Good luck perusing all the rest of your life visions.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

Enjoy life and stay away from cnn

Thanks for the incredibly long but concise posts.
Your methods and advice helped me produce some great instruments!

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