Official Luthiers Forum!

As of this coming Monday, I will be retired (more like rif'd) from my day job of 20+ years as a satellite flyer and until I find another job I will be a full time luthier. Scary indeed but wish me luck!!!

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Good Luck Buddy!
Hope you dont -NEED- another job and can keep kicking out your guitars!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Congrats John. Like Lance said you don't need another job or maybe you do. Any way enjoy your retirement.

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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

Cool! Just one question...what exactly does a satellite flyer do?

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Don,
I think they fly satellites

[QUOTE=Don Williams] Cool! Just one question...what exactly does a satellite flyer do? [/QUOTE]

Pretty much what Michael said. Kinda like a radio controlled airplane except on a much larger and longer (22,000 miles) scale, oh and we don't use joy sticks.

Bob, I'm hoping to stay as busy as you in my retirement.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

yeah, but is that aything like flying kites, or planes, or Wallenda's? Uh...skip the last one. They don't fly anymore.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I get it

Good luck John!
With whatever you decide to do just make sure you enjoy it! Well at least tolerate it...

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Good luck.
Just keep making and selling your fine guitars

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

If the buzz around your little "road trip" guitar is any indication, you should do just fine. Good luck to you.

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53% of all statistics are made up on the spot
http://driftwoodguitars.blogspot.com/

Dude,

You've got the best two jobs in the universe

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Have a happy retitement John, time to sit down and play a bit of Robert's best music, drink some malt. Oh, and build some of the best little guitars on the planet.

Somehow I think you'll find your time fully employed.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I'll warn you... when you are retired, you are usually busier than if you had gone to work. Welcome to the ranks!!

Hope you have a good retirement and can keep making the guitars too!

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Reguards,

Ken H

[QUOTE=Don Williams] Cool! Just one question...what exactly does a satellite flyer do? [/QUOTE]

Doncha see how he's dressed? That's his work uniform!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I didn't realise anyone drove satellites, except for Issac Newton. I guess you learn something new everyday.

Good luck with the guitar thing, you won't have any problems.

   I was once told you will know when you are a true luthier . That is when you are no longer employable
   Congrats
john hall

That really stinks John, sorry to hear about that. I didn't realize the RIF was affecting civilians also--I just lost a bunch of good buds to the RIF. BTW, you weren't in the big blue cube were you? I spent a few years at Vandy and some time at Schriever doing space junk--I had forgotten you flew sats. Hopefully you still got hooked up with a huge seperation package or bonus to pay for that enormous pile of wood you're gonna need once the orders start pouring in.

Don--of course they don't use joysticks to fly satellites. Didn't you ever see Dr. Strangelove--you gotta drive'em just like Slim Pickens!!!!!

Good luck John!!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

[QUOTE=John Elshaw] Don--of course they don't use joysticks to fly satellites. Didn't you ever see Dr. Strangelove--you gotta drive'em just like Slim Pickens!!!!! [/QUOTE]

I soooooo love that movie...

Good luck John. I am sure this is the catalyst you need to make the jump to full time. I am sure you will do great.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Good luck John. Just remember, most of us hate the 2x4, but end up being glad it was used to change our course. Hope it doesn't leave any bruises.

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Aoibeann

All the best to you John...Dont run off ff now and keep in touch!
We care too much about you too much!

walter

John, sometimes you just need a little nudge to start something new. Maybe this was yours. Sorry to hear about the RIF but just look at it as an opportunity you might have otherwise not taken. I know personally, I've got way to many of those old "I wish I had" over the years. With all of your experience I'm sure you would have no trouble landing another job, but I'm betting you will get all the business you want building guitars. Good luck and make lots and lots of sawdust.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Good Luck to you, John.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Best wishes for you John. All will go well!

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC