This is a new year. 2017 was eventful: Beth, Katie and I moved house, I finished my second double bass and attended the 2017 ISB in Ithaca, NY, and I resigned my job at the German School, Washington, DC in June.
The new career revolves around making things, primarily stringed music instruments. My three archtop guitars, two double basses, mandolin and numerous ukeleles have demanded time and attention, not to mention financial investment and commitment. I thankfully have enjoyed the support of fellow makers, my local community and most of all, my wife’s.
I currently have three basses to repair, restore and sell, and am planning to follow up a very successful enlarged copy of my 1878 Italian bass with two more. There is plentiful room for improvement of all my work, as I am learning that great sound and playability need to be complimented by flawless “fit and finish.” I have until now considered slight variations in details of craftsmanship to be signs of life- setting the work apart from countless others that look great but have less tone. But in the words of Joe at the excellent archtop.com, “You can philosophize about tone all day long, but visible flaws in the workmanship can be seen by anyone.” And though the plane marks on my old Milanese bass made me drool, I intend to make the next instruments look flawless, just to prove that I can do it.
So here’s to 2018 and getting some good work done! Thanks for visiting!
