Official Luthiers Forum!

Haans,

I'm so sorry to hear of your health concerns. Being familiar with COPD it must be a priority and unfortunately, your activities need restricting. Echoing other sentiments I hope you can continue with your writing not only of books, but also online. You are one of the "greats" I have learned to listen to their wisdom. I'd be glad to offer from a distance with any builds you have in progress, although my skills are far below yours. Perhaps there are more local builders who could lend a hand and learn from a master?

Howard

Haans,
Pretty obvious you are loved by many.
Best wishes,
Dan

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

Hans, I'm sure you're not aware of it, but you have made me change directions in my approach to building. I've been going to flatter and flatter top radii, but after hearing that sound clip of the Dakota dude playing one of your gits with the high arch, I'm thinking of more and more radii. Maybe not quite 10' but definately not flatter. I'll have to give it a try anyway.
Please continue to challenge conventional wisdom here at the OLF. I can assure you, I am listening and learning.
Glen

Haans,

So sorry to hear. Your sharing of insights and experience on the forum has been invaluable, beyond question. Yes, by all means, write your books and I guarantee at least one more sale for each from here. Those who can't do, teach, right? (Bad joke, from a full blown academic here, sorry if not funny.)

I can only imagine what it is like to lose the ability to do what you are destined to do while still alive and kicking. I learned a lot of what I know about basic furniture-style woodworking from my dad at around the time that he was losing the capacity to do it due to arthritis, followed by respiratory failure, but it was just a hobby to him and the loss wasn't horribly acute. I find myself trying to juggle the notions of continuing to do research until I croak because it's just too interesting, and retiring to spend my time in the shop doing equally interesting work on instruments, before I lose my hands and the capability to do it. (62 now, how many years?) Getting old, yeah, well, ...

Please write your books. I await them eagerly.

Jim

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Its always sad to hear of a fellow luthier who has to stop for health reasons. Here's wishing you better health in the future Haans.

Holy S%#. Most of the post sound like obituaries!

Hans, Please write your books and you will continue to build through the hands of the next generation. You have a built in audience here on the OLF. I look forward to seeing what you’ll accomplish in the next stage of your life!

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Tony Flippo

Sorry to hear this.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

So sorry to hear this, Haans. I hope your health turns around.

Well in a scene it is a bit of an obituary. Of the fact that someone like Haans isn't going to produce any more of what he has done so well.

Just saying thanks here for all the help over the years. Don't worry, you'll be hearing from me. If only I lived a little closer............. WHAT AM I SAYING. I grew up in Manitoba not that far north of you. I've driven through Minnesota in the middle of winter. What I meant to say was, I wish you lived closer to me.

Talk soon

I've truly enjoyed the photos you've shared of your exquisite work (especially of your stunning QS white oak creations) , and the knowledge you've imparted to myself and the others on this forum. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

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michael propsom
www.propsomguitars.com

Haans
When I read your post I was floored. Reading comments half way down the page I had to go back and make sure it wasn't an April Foolls joke. I am so sorry to have read this as you have truly been an inspiration to me. I always looked forward to see what new purfling layup you were playing with and seeing the finished products you had created.
I hope this is only a temporary situation but something tells me it is not. I'll say a few prayers for you as that is all I can do. Hope things return to normal.

Good Luck
Tim

Haans, sorry to hear this, I hope you're able to gain some of your breathing ability back in the future. Your work has always been inspirational!
Looking forward to your book.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

This really makes me sad. It is a big loss for me and I had no idea you have COPD. I am a Respiratory Therapist so I am familiar with your disease.
Having said that I know that you might not realize that you might go into a stage of stability where you can gain strength and have a remission of your symptoms. Then you can clear things up in your shop enough to sort your priorities.
If you have any specific questions about managing your disease I am available by pm or email.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ken

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Ken

It is a sad day. Count me among the many who would love to learn from your books.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Haans,
I have enjoyed your posts in the past, and I look forward to many new ones in the future. As you can see above, you have many followers. Please keep visiting, and posting, and updating us on your progress.

I am very much looking forward to your books. Here's hoping that your health improves, and that you find that writing and instructing, in pictures and numbers, is as rewarding as building instruments.

All the best,

James

A HUGE thanks to Hans for all of the assistance that you have provided to me over the years as well!

You were one of the few "real deal" Luthiers on the OLF who actually walked the walk and worked in the trade and as such I was always very intent to listen when you spoke/posted.

It may be no surprise to some that I was always as interested in the people who are Luthiers as the products of their toiling by candle light endlessly with sharp chisel in hand. It became clear to me fairly early on that what TJ Thompson said during an NPR interview, that you have to be a good person to build good instruments had a ring of truth to it in my own personal experience.

Hans your instruments (and pics) have always been superb and a model for the rest of us. I'm actually not sure that you know just how much of a positive influence you have had on some of us over the years.

It's been my impression and again going back to TJ that there are some "standard fare" values, personal values that are very commonly found with working in the trade Luthiers who craft instruments. A love and respect of our planet and all of the finite resources that we have been privileged to have been afforded the opportunity to craft into something with different, never greater..., value while still respecting the bounty that makes what we do even possible.

I think that TJ was right, you have to be a good person to craft good instruments and I know that you Hans have been crafting some of the very best instruments that I have ever seen. This in my book makes you a GREAT person/guy and someone I am very proud to call my friend.

Thanks for all that you do, have done, and will do perhaps in your new role as mentor, teacher, writer, and further example of the notion that you have to be a good person to craft good instruments.

Very sorry to hear of this brother. I hope you stick around and continue to offer your valued advice. The book is a wonderful idea and I would love to see that come to fruition. Godspeed and hope to you getting well soon.

I haven't been building for long, but I have relished your attention to follow your own path as a Luthier, Haans. Obviously your unique builds will be missed. Wishing you the best in your future endeavors, and would certainly add my name to the list that would desire your publications.

Pete

Haven't been building or posting much lately with work super busy and kitchen remodel under way but Haans your guitars were always a thing of wonder to me. My nascent lutherie skills have a hard time grasping the skill needed to complete the guitars you have shared here on the forum. Thank you for that.

Best of luck and hope you are still able to post here as your health allows.

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Thank You and Best To All

Oh Haans,
This really bad news for sure. I hate when good people who are at the peak of their craft start having health issues.
I have a cousin with COPD, and it is truly debilitating. I'm certainly glad that you will continue to contribute to the community, and please do let me know when your book is in print, as I would love to have an autographed copy of one!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Haans

Sad news. I wish you all the best. Please continue on with the book - I want a copy and a copy of anything else you write. Your posts have been informative and inspirational. Thanks - Mike

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guitarsbygiltzow.com

Haans, thank you for all your help and I hope your health issues are resolved. From a purely selfish perspective, I'd love to see you continue writing and sharing your knowledge.

Again, thank you.

Steve

Haans

What you do inspires me. Thank you.

Ed

Haans, this is indeed sad news and I truly hope that what comes out of the change is stimulating and exciting. Passionate people remain passionate, they just focus their passion in a different vane.....I trust that is what will happen with you and I look forward to that future.....All the best!

Shane

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Canada

Sorry for the sad news Haans. If you decide to sell wood, I'm in. I say that in support of u, not as in being opportunistic. Keep posting!