Official Luthiers Forum!

I just can't see continuing with building instruments. It's been a very long hard decision, but I just can't do it anymore. I have been battling COPD for years, taking every precaution I could think of, but an exacerbation last fall has basically done me in. I have gone from night time O2 at 2 liters/minute and none during the day to 3-1/2 liters at night and up to 6 liters when I walk. My "cold" started last November, took a myriad of anti-biotics, shots, etc and lasted over 4 months. When I finally felt some better, I went to the pulmonologist and she recommended I stop everything. I am going to rehab, but don't have any hope that I will recover enough to build again and I have to admit just being in the shop intimidates me now. Last week, just for icing on the cake, I was taken from rehab to emergency with Atrial Fibrillation. I spent a night in the hospital and now I have 3 more drugs to take including a blood thinner. Guess that was the definitive moment as now I am a bleeder. Sigh.
So, I guess that about does it for my building career. It's been a very rough last 6 months and I have no idea what the future will bring except the one we all ignore...
It's been a lot of fun here at the OLF, and I intend to continue to try to impart knowledge, thoughts, and ideas as long as I remain coherent. At some point I will have to sell off the wood and tools unless I can find someone that wants to buy the shop. Don't know what to do with all the half finished instruments. I just can't face it at the moment. I really have no one to inherit the shop and knowledge. I have started writing a book/pamphlet on building Larson and Stella instruments, and I am undecided as to it's future. It will be a no theory, all numbers picture book. Here is a rough draft of the cover...



I may also write a mandolin book telling all. We'll see...
So, to all of you that have been so kind, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hey Haans, Thanks for all that you've posted on a variety of forums. It has been a pleasure, and I hope that it continues for a good while yet.

cheers, SteveG

I am very sorry to hear that your health has become so compromised, Haans. It is something that we tend to take for granted until we start to loose it. Hopefully you can recover enough to enjoy life in other ways, aside from lutherie.
Your help and knowledge have been a great benefit to this forum, and if it can continue in some way, it would be greatly appreciated, but if there is some way that we can help you, I hope that you let us know. All the best to you, Haans, and God Bless.

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Very sorry, Haans. Thanks for all you've contributed here and I hope we'll continue to see you around.

_________________
John Cavanaugh
Saint Paul, MN
"What could possibly go wrong?"

Haans, Sorry to hear of your health issues. My wife has been going through very similar lung problems. In some small way i can relate to whats going on. I wish you the best in your decision. I know it was a hard one.

Sorry to hear Haans. Best of luck to you, and please post when you get the book(s) completed.

I'm really sorry to hear that you are having to stop building. Like Alex, I hope your health will improve and allow you to find something new to focus your attention and skills on. It seems to me like that book would be a great idea and a valued resource for other builders. I've only been on this forum for two years, but I've enjoyed your posts and learned a lot of good stuff from them. I hope you can stay active with the OLF.

That's a great photo with a beautiful guitar.

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

Haans,

Definitely write your books! You have so much knowledge and such fine skills. Your work is an inspiration.

Joe

I'd buy your book in a heartbeat. You have much to contribute.

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Sorry to hear this bad news, I hope you can regain some of your health, the shop is probably the last place you need to be with lung problems. Write you book I for one will buy it, you have much knowledge to share.

Fred

_________________
Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Sad to hear it, but from the sounds of things, it's the only sensible decision, hard as it may be.

Best wishes.

Haans,
So sorry to learn of your failing health and hope these changes result in improvements to your quality of life. Add me to the long list of those hoping you will continue writing your book(s), if at all possible. I'd love to have them! Your commitment to the craft, breadth of knowledge and willingness to share are treasured, and your beautiful work always inspires.

Thank you so much for the encouragement and guidance you've offered all of us over the years. Even though I've not yet built any Stella or Larson-style instruments, you've had as profound an influence on my building as anyone. For that I am now and will always be truly and deeply grateful.

_________________
George :-)

Haans,
I'm truly sorry to hear you are forced by your health to make such a difficult decision. I'm dealing with some health issues myself, and guitar building actually is a pleasant distraction for me most days. Hopefully, time away from building will aid in your rehab. I do, for my own selfish reasons, hope you continue to post on the forum.

As a fellow MN luthier albeit a newbie compared to Haans this is sad news for the community. You are leaving quite a legacy Haans and I hope you are able further it with your book.

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

Super sad to hear about this Haans. Your instruments have always spoken to me. Your sense of traditional design is down right beautiful. I would love to get a chance to play one of your instruments! As tough as it is, it does sound like the right decision. I hope that you can find new passions in life, or continue to feed your passion for musical instruments in a different light.

Wishing you the best.

Joel.

_________________
http://Michaudmade.com

Hans, I am sure sorry to hear that your health has forced you to this decision. It is a decision that most of us will have to make in some form at some time and I surely do not look forward to that day. I do want to thank you for the help you've given me and you can add me to the list of folks who would like to get a copy of your book if you decide to go forward with it.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I hate to hear this news! Count me among the many who have benefited from your posts. It not fair to have t walk away from the luthery because of this. Choosing to do so must have been very difficult; I respect you for making what his likely a very difficult, albeit correct, decisions. I truly hope that writing your book(s) will be a fulfilling way to keep the mind and spirit engaged in the craft even though the body cannot continue. We are all pulling for you to get the best possible results from rehab, we'll see you stronger on the other side. I look forward to reading many, many more posts from you.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

No one likes news like this, Haans. I for one will keep you in my prayers for some improvement. No matter what, though, write your books! You definitely have much knowledge to share and I would certainly be on the waiting list to purchase it on a pre-publication basis!

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I would buy Certainly pre purchase a crowd funded book. Very sad news, I've not been here long but I'm already inspired to make my next build in the ladder braved style thanks mostly to your inspiration.

+1 for all that's been said, I've always been an in awe of your work. An inspiration.
Now you just got to look after yourself the best you can.
If you can, please continue with your book.
Well, I've said I don't need any more, but I would make an exception for that one.

_________________
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 for all you do, Haans. I hope your health improves and you start feeling yourself again.

I also think crowd-funding / setting up a pre-order for the book to help cover costs is an awesome idea, and I would be right there in line to buy one.

Haans sorry to hear about this, really have enjoyed your builds and all the information you share, please write your books.

Haans: Sorry to hear of your problem. Always a pleasure to read your info and to see your work. Please don't make yourself a stranger to the OLF. All the best in what ever direction you travel. Take care.
Tom

_________________
A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Your work has always been so wonderful, as has been the advice you've given so many of us.
I'm very sorry to hear that you are having to stop building, but it sounds like the correct
decision, albeit a very difficult one. Please write your books, and as been suggested, consider
cloudfunding for expenses- I'd be glad to contribute.

_________________
Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Sad news indeed. You're the voice of reason around here, reminding us all that mass doesn't matter, and to build with our ears rather than numbers I'll miss seeing your build threads and videos of new instruments, but I do hope you continue to post here, and write your book to preserve the knowledge of how to build in the traditional style.

If only our health technology were further along, so we could just grow you a fresh pair of lungs. I assume you've already looked into the possibility of a transplant?