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sghould I take on another commission?
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=8803		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  martinedwards [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:33 am ]
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OK, at the minute......

I'm working on (left to right) a walnut/spruce doubleneck... to be paid for with christams money, so not needed til after then.

a rosewood cedar Jumbo for myself so no deadline.

an oak/sitka mini jumbo cutaway for a collegues son for christmas

I have necks for all but the mini jumbo......

the first two are bound, the mini jumbo isn't yet.

I've been asked to make a solid electric by a friend for a christmas present. That's 10 weeks give or take.

Bearing in mind I actually have a job too.........

what do y'all think?martinedwards39002.4822685185
Author:  Brock Poling [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:39 am ]
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no. Not for xmas.

I am under the gun to finish 2 in the same time frame and I am stressed.

Author:  SteveCourtright [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:39 am ]
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Well, are you still having fun?
Author:  Brock Poling [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:45 am ]
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Of course... but it doesn't mean it is not stressful.   

For one customer it is a gift for his son and the PRIMARY gift for his son... so it HAS to get finished.
Author:  Sam Price [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:45 am ]
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Woah...steady there...

Don't rush, Martin. You don't want to be a victim of your own success :)

I know you can work pretty fast, but you are in effect, doing two or three full time jobs (Father, Teacher, Luthier) You'll burn out. We'll be all worried about ya.

Could you put off a build to get the electric pressie done? Either the 3/4 guitar or the doubleneck...

I mean, you can afford to...all the guitar boxes are closed, and relatively stable.

Sooo...I would say, take on the commission, but delay something else, as long as you haven't given a deadline.



BTW, the guitar bodies are looking fantastic.Sam Price39002.5022453704
Author:  SteveCourtright [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:15 am ]
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Martin and Brock:

As a person whose entire professional existance is ordered according to deadlines, (I know I am not special this way) and whose hobbies are antithetical to that scene, I can't help but feel that the guitar making and deadlines does not a good marriage make.

But like I said, if you are still having fun, go for it.   
Author:  Andy Zimmerman [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:46 am ]
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I would only take it if you could EASILY complete it by then. Personally I
couldn't. Also you don't want to delay other commissions that have
deadlines. If customers have deadlines, I tell them that I will do my best.
Also they have to be realistic. I have 3 commissions that I have accepted
with deadlines. (April 20th, June 20th, August 1st.) To me these are fine
because they are realistic. I usually tell customers 4-6 months after I start
construction.

Build it right, not fast
Author:  Brock Poling [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:36 am ]
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There is no way you could get a guitar done by then if you are putting a finish on it that has to cure out before buffing, getting the electronics in, wired, working, do a set up...

There is more to this than just banging out the construction. If you are starting purely from scratch I don't see how unless you can focus 100% of your effort on this.

Steve.. I hear you about deadlines. My favorite line is "it is only late once, but if you rush me it will be wrong forever." That is usually all I need to say... but in this situation it is different. I have to get there.

Author:  Don Williams [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:42 am ]
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Not a chance I'd take it....
Author:  MSpencer [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 5:24 am ]
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It would make a good Easter present

Mike
Author:  Sam Price [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 5:55 am ]
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[QUOTE=Brock Poling]
There is no way you could get a guitar done by then if you are putting a finish on it that has to cure out before buffing, getting the electronics in, wired, working, do a set up...


[/QUOTE]

The author of this thread has been known to build a bass guitar in LESS than ten weeks.

I wouldn't do it. I faff about too much..Sam Price39002.6235763889
Author:  Kelby [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:38 am ]
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Does this thread constitute "gloating?"   

I'm glad to hear that you have these kinds of problems.
Author:  martinedwards [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:42 am ]
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[QUOTE=Kelby] Does this thread constitute "gloating?"    .[/QUOTE]

Nope, not at all!!

The more I think about it, the more I realise that I'll never fit it in.

Ah well, the electric was for a guy whoes birthday is is April, so maybe the Easter present idea isn't a bad one!!


EDIT.....

whattaya Know!!

As I was typing this an email arrived from the guy who wanted it built. He's after a Les Paul. Solid colour so I couldn't even do a quick clear finish with Danish oil. I have now sent a "sorry, no, really, sorry, there just isn't enough time" email back & I'll phone him in the morning.martinedwards39002.7479282407
Author:  Sam Price [ Fri Oct 13, 2006 1:52 am ]
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/\Just as well.

Would you be up for the challenge of building and finishing electrics with a solid colour finish, or do you prefer the natural wood finish?
Author:  j.Brown [ Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:54 am ]
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Shouldn't be accepted.
Author:  martinedwards [ Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:50 am ]
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he wants a solid black finish.

His 18th Birthday is May, so his folks are thinking about that.

Haven't made a solid since my first fretless bass WAAAAY back in December!!
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