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So I had 7 hours in the car today (and 7 more tomorrow and 6 the next day) to sort of decompress from the Montreal show.
Downers: not selling anything, but then again, I don't think a single guitar was sold at the show. We were up in an upper room that didn't get the direct traffic that the "gauntlet" did. On the other hand, we didn't get the "mall" traffic that the "gauntlet" did. Most of the people that came up to our room were pretty serious guitar people. They were there at the show to see music and I don't think they were prepared to see guitars and definately not prepared to buy. Maybe a few months down the road...
The Highlights: (there were many)
Spending the week with Tim and Mary McKnight was high on the list. Great people!
Stopping over at Lance's on the way up there. And Hesh stopped by.
Montreal in general. What a city! I can honestly say that it's the coolest place I've ever been. And the people of French Canada are AWESOME. (the girls are kinda cute too)
But I think the highlight of the trip was having Mike Doolin come up and take my guitars for a spin. As he was playing, I asked him for an honest critique and was prepared for a good old fashioned shellacing. To my suprise, the only negative thing he had to say was that the action at the nut of my archtop was too high. He actually asked if he could call on me for advice on building an all mahogany guitar. Mike Dooling wants to ask me for advice...what's this world coming to?
So lots of action plans bouncing around in my head, making me dizzy.
Hey Hesh, Tim said that you posted pics of the visit but I couldn't find them. Where are they?

Edit: dang I told you my mind was swimming, I completely forgot to mention that I was able to stop by Bob C's for dinner and a tour of the zoot-a-licious racks. The ONLY reason I didn't leave with a car full of wood was that I can't if I did, I would no longer be able to afford a good divorce lawyer and my wife would get all my tools in the to-be settlement. Ha,ha guys, I've been in the Holy Grail of Zoot and you haven't.
Thanks Bob for a great evening.Pwoolson38908.9135185185

[QUOTE=Pwoolson] I asked him for an honest critique and was prepared for a good old fashioned shellacing.[/QUOTE]
Glad you didn't get one...the pore filling is painful!

Thanks for the critique, Paul. Any other OLFers there?

Very very nice, I like it a lot.
But didn't you post pics of the get together at Lance's?

Keep the faith, Paul. Your guitars are too good not to be noticed. The exposure from the shows will eventually pay off. I'm sure there are lots of potential customers going through the "I need a Woolson Guitar right now" rationalization as we speak!

So...you got to see the zoot cave. It's quite an experience...especially that garage full of wood awaiting cutting. Thankfully for us, Bob just can't say no to a seductive billet or plank. He has a very generous and understanding wife to give up the garage for the zoot stash.

Hey...consider going back to Buffalo for the OLF bash...you can drive to my place in Indiana, park your car and I'll do the rest of the driving.

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I wonder how long it will take for Bob to notice that huge chunk of Magassar Ebony missing.
JJ, I'll be in KY that week for a mission trip. I think I'll be logging about 4K miles in the month of July.

Paul,

Sounds like a great trip. Meeting friends, talking guitars, the good stuff. Of course, selling a few would have been nice, but maybe your trip there will produce something good in the not too distant future.

Mike Doolin asking you for advice!! Shesh, how are we going to live with you now! That Mike is a great guy, I met him a couple times, and he was very kind to help a beginner, and talk guitars.

Jeff

Glad you had fun with Big French City of North America Paul, Quebec people have a good memory for everything music and if they showed interest in your work, you sure will hear from one of them soon!

Glad you're back safe and sound, it sure was a long drive for you! Maybe next year we'll demo together!

[quote]I do a lot of trade shows for my day job and the value of doing a show is often not something that you can measure for many months.[/quote]

    That's for sure, my buddy, does home window installs and insulation. He get's call back from years ago!

You make a good impression- it sticks!

You build too good of a guitar, to go unnoticed!

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Paul I really enjoyed our visit yesterday. Paul's guitars are really awesome. I really liked the small bodied all mahogany guitar. It plays like a dream and lot's of volume for a small guitar. The madacasar rw adi top is a real cannon. Just beautiful work. Thanks for sharing with me. Hesh your too late on that black beauty.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Hey, very cool pics of both of you playing guitars!

Bob, i didn't know you also play the mandolin, don't know if i should bring my Ov*t**n at your place now that i saw yours!

Congrats on the purchase of the black Archtop! Poor Hesh!

Serge

Serge I was actually just kidding Hesh. I wish I could have bought that guitar. Always wanted an archtop.
Sure bring your mando along. By the way my playing is lousy.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Ok Bob, i'll bring it and will have Alain as a body guard for the mando in case someone would have any ideas concerning the Falls!

Well all, I just walked in the door. My butt hurts and my eyes hurt but I'm in the same number of pieces that I left in.
thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers.
When I get a clear head and have a chance to swim through the emails I'll post more about the trip.