Apologies for the lengthy post, but this needs to get out to as many folks as possible.
ANNOUNCEMENT
As some of you know, I had a rather serious bout of anemia in 2004. My GP says I was THAT close to going in for a transfusion as the hemoglobin level was extremely below normal. After a series of medical tests throughout the past year (some of which we do NOT want to discuss here), the various Doctors have found no definitive cause. That’s the good news. The bad news is that they all suspect that the luthiery activity has, and continues to, expose me to substances that are deleterious to one’s health. The allergist thinks some of the woods and sawdust may have sensitized my system. The internist is more concerned with the chemicals such as MEK, acetone, cyanoacrylic glue, etc. found in the lacquer finish and associated products used in the luthiery processes. The overall physical effect of this has been a reduced energy level, three bronchial infections during this time (I never had bronchitis in my first 59 years!) and a couple of ear infections (not since I had my tonsils and adenoids removed at age 8). My GP says “You might want to consider removing yourself from those exposures”… a polite way of saying get out of the shop environment.
So, the bottom line is that I will be severely curtailing the luthiery business as of
January 1, 2006. I will build out my current orders and eventually build only 2-3 instruments a year on a hobby basis. Meanwhile, I will be investigating alternate construction and finishing techniques to remove as many potential toxic products from my shop environment.
I will leave my website up with an announcement on the Home page, but trim out many of the pages. I will leave the Audio sample page up as this receives a large number of hits and is entertaining to all who access it.
I will not be disappearing from the luthiery community, just lowering my profile. I will be around for any warranty issues that might arise on the nearly 150 instruments I have had the pleasure to build.
Thanks to all my customers, my fellow luthiers, artists, suppliers and all the guitar aficionados I have had the pleasure to meet over the past decade. It was a wonderful experience.
OK..so that sums it up. However I wanted to add a couple admonitions for all to read.
The physical aspects:
We know that this activity has many potential harmful substances associated with it. Despite my best efforts to protect myself (gloves, goggles, repirator, dust collection, etc) this stuff still can get to you. I already have 60 years on earth to have absorbed whatever other nasty things are in my body, so the last ten years of full time luthiery just added insult to injury.
To all involved in this activity...DO TAKE ALL THE PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN. To the young folks in this endeavor, don't think you're immortal. The years will build and so will these potential maladies. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES.
The psychological aspects:
I have found that during the last 18 months...and I suspect it has much to do with the illness/uncertainty of the ongoing medical test...that the shop walls have been "closing in on me". It got to the point where I didn't want to go there at all. So, if these feelings start to develop in you...back away and take a serious look at what's going on in your life and with your health. It is an insidious thing that creeps up on you...don't let it win!
OK...that's my $.02. I dearly love the craft and will remain, but in a much reduced capacity. For the time being, I will continue to supply the redwood tops as in the past. If anybody needs some, just PM me. And I'll contribute here when I can add something positive to the discussion(s).
God Bless you all,
Hank
