davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,544
|
Post by davewhite on May 31, 2020 9:57:37 GMT
I've been working towards this for a few years now but have decided that this is the right time. I've closed De Faoite Stringed Instruments as a commercial operation. I'm still going to keep making instruments for family and friends but also want to do four or five commissions each year where I will make one of my instruments as a commission for the cost of materials plus an appropriate donation to a worthy cause or charity that I will nominate. The instruments will need to be collected from Buckinghamshire and won't come with warranty - just the usual attention I give to my "babies". Coincidentally my website host has given me 30 days notice that my current website won't be supported from the end of June and with it my working e-mail address. This is the second time this has happened to me and I honestly can't be arsed to build another website so will operate by "word of mouth" and use pdf files that can be shared to give relevant details of my instrument range. If you are interested in going on my list then pm me here on the Forum. I'm still up for making a raffle instrument for any HB11 event that may eventually emerge in the "new normalcy" or perhaps another Road Trip instrument again depending on the same thing. With the death of my website will come the death of any more of my build threads here on the Forum - with the https issue most have died anyway and if I'm lucky I'll finish my current "Bogha Beag" build thread with links before the end of June. You are pretty well served with these anyway at the moment with Francis, Lars and Gary, not to mention Rosie and Rory. Toodle pip - I'll still annoy you from time too time with Plucky Duck offerings
|
|
|
Post by Vinny on May 31, 2020 10:22:50 GMT
I’m sorry to hear this news Dave, as I’ll miss your fantastic build threads and the world could never have enough instruments of the quality you produce. Enjoy whatever you choose to do with the additional free time this will give you, and thanks for all the enjoyment you have already provided through your instruments and the sharing of your knowledge. I’d still love a Buachaill Mor. Maybe one day. Best wishes, Vinny.
|
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,053
My main instrument is: Brook Lyn guitar
|
Post by brianr2 on May 31, 2020 10:42:55 GMT
I am very sorry to hear this Dave, especially being the proud owner of a much-coveted Buchaill Mor. It is good, though, that you are carrying on making for the sheer joy of it, and the offer you have made to Forum members is incredibly generous. Take care mate.
Brian
|
|
|
Post by fatfingerjohn on May 31, 2020 11:51:13 GMT
Must be a big decision for you but well done for facing up to it. As you say you'll be 'keeping your hand in' and also raising some money for deserving causes so 'good on yer'. Enjoy your semi-retirement and look forward to still hearing your lovely instruments at HBWhenever.
FFJ
|
|
colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,320
|
Post by colins on May 31, 2020 12:19:26 GMT
Dave, that's basically what I was doing for the last few years, It is a much more relaxing way to carry out your craft.
We go back a long way with our friendship and have over the years discussed guitar making at some depth. If I hadn't been a maker myself the guitars I would have wanted to play were from your stable, indeed the one guitar I can still have a go at playing is the superb Red Kite that you made me when I lost my fingers, one of the greatest acts of kindness that has ever been shown to me. You were a great influence on making me want to keep building guitars even though I could no longer play them for which I thank you.
It was on your recommendation that I became part of this forum when you 'persuaded' me to be the guinea pig for the 'Meet the Maker' interviews. My subsequent building of the guitars for the raffles at Halifax and the competitions was some of the most enjoyable guitar making I have done, making the guitar as a surprise gift for Lynn at HB10 was on your prompting, and was my last and probably my most enjoyable guitar build ever, those are the ones you remember rather than the ones where you make money.
I'm sure that you have made the right decision, we both have over a hundred guitars under our belt and I found that taking the pressure off was a great way of ensuring that building remained a pleasure, rather than something that had to be done.
Colin
|
|
Phil Taylor
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,407
Mini-Profile Name Color: 680908
Mini-Profile Text Color: 121311
|
Post by Phil Taylor on May 31, 2020 12:51:56 GMT
Sorry to hear this also Dave but it sounds like you know for sure that the time is right. I still have your mando which is rarely played but I like it so much that I have no intention of selling it. It's a guitar players mandolin, lovely neck and sound All the best for the future, not that you're going anywhere of course 🙂 Phil
|
|
Akquarius
Cheerfully Optimistic
Posts: 2,509
My main instrument is: Towet Fingerpicker, Dreizehnter SJ15 "Akquarius"
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"020202"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: f9a507
Mini-Profile Text Color: f9a507
|
Post by Akquarius on May 31, 2020 15:13:54 GMT
In times like these change is more constant than stasis. Dave, greetings from the Little English Lady and may your decision make things easier and more confortable for you. Hopefully see you in Halifax. This year or next year
|
|
|
Post by bellyshere on May 31, 2020 15:28:42 GMT
The right time is always the right time. Hope when you do make a few instruments you still let us have a look as you make some beautiful looking stringed thingies.
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 33,954
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on May 31, 2020 22:08:05 GMT
A lot of thinking must have gone on there, Dave, and though the decision is certainly right for you, we will hugely miss your build threads. Your contribution to the Forum has been immense - we have all benefitted from your advice, a fair few of us are fortunate enough to own, enjoy and treasure your instruments, and many have sampled their delights on the various Road Trips which have proved of such benefit in bringing Forum members together as well as producing some great music.
I'm pleased to know that you will still be making instruments though, as well as Plucky Ducking - hope you'll "annoy" us in other parts of the Forum too.
HB11 will certainly happen sometime or other and it'll be grand to catch up again in person then, as well as share music.
Enjoy the more relaxed approach to guitar making - I just hope Debbie hasn't got too many jobs lined up for you...
Keith
|
|
leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,533
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
|
Post by leoroberts on May 31, 2020 22:21:43 GMT
I like to think that you're just becoming more 'exclusive', davewhite As long as you don't become reclusive....
|
|
|
Post by robmc on Jun 1, 2020 11:06:10 GMT
Sounds like an enlightened approach to me Dave... no website... no mobile phone... no emails... ahh bliss, your workshop could be the Shangri-La of guitar building. Congratulations on your body of work to date and enjoy the next stage and evolution of your building!! Hopefully a few pics may end up on the forum in one form or another and look forward to seeing you in Halifax with Big Hal soon!
|
|
|
Post by lavaman on Jun 1, 2020 13:39:58 GMT
All good things come to an end. I've enjoyed playing your guitars Dave and hope to see you and Debbie at HB11 et al. Iain
|
|
|
Post by vikingblues on Jun 1, 2020 14:00:25 GMT
Sad to hear, but if it's right for you I'm happy that you can improve your own life as a result. I'm very honoured to have been at least able to try out one of your guitars on it's road trip, and will remember that experience fondly. At least with continuing to make instruments for family and friends you will keep boosting the average musical quality of guitars in general! Enjoy the lack of commercial pressure and irritations! Mark
|
|
andrewjw
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,736
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":""}
|
Post by andrewjw on Jun 1, 2020 14:39:57 GMT
Very best wishes for your "retirement " Dave... I've very much enjoyed being part of the Road Trips ...incredibly generous of you to have built the instruments and done the organisation. I've also learnt a lot from reading your replies to numerous guitar "problems" over the years.... Great to hear you are carrying on building as and when you feel the urge ..looking forward to hearing more of you at the Duck.
|
|
|
Post by andyhowell on Jun 1, 2020 16:28:44 GMT
Seems sensible - glad to know you will still be making instruments for Leo. He needs a few more ;-)
|
|