Official Luthiers Forum!

So, it's been awhile guys.....but I'm still here. It's been a tough 6 months but things are sorted and starting back on an upward swing.

Here is what is happening.....Due to some neurological issues some things have become impossible for me to do, like stand at a buffing arbor buffing guitars or run an air powered palm sander all day. So the finish business is done and closed for the most part. I am still doing all my own finish work for my shop but nothing from other makers or shops at this time. I just cant handle the volume I was doing and the last thing I want is employees to mind over, so that is that.

I am still however in the guitar business full time. Hope to still build a handful of guitars a year and still quite busy with repairs and restorations. This is really my focus at this point. With that said I find myself with two shops, one I do not need and one that does not function as an all in one. The solution I have found is to relocate. So I am moving myself and my shop to Magnolia Delaware. This site was chosen for many reasons, some of which personal.

That info isn't out for wide release just yet but isn't a state secret either. This is the first group I have announced this in as I have always found this one to be the best out there, Thanks Lance!

So now I have a question I would like opinions on. What is everyone's take on phone numbers these days? they have become very portable. Take my Pennsylvania number to Delaware or obtain a new local number?

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Best of luck to your health and to your move. Moving is never easy.

In my opinion, and especially if your number was used for business purposes, just keep it. No sense in starting all over unless you have a reason to.

Glad to know you are still kicking!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Good to hear from you Brian and I was wondering how you are doing. Thanks for the update!

I know why you are moving to Delaware, no corporate income tax..... Seriously it's a great place to live and I've been there many times.

Regarding the phone number thing no opinion here, they all suck and cost too much....

See you on facebook my friend and again it's great to hear from you.

Glad you're still in the game, good luck with your move!

As for the phone number, if it doesn't cost to keep the same number, you may as well. I can't think of any advantages of a new number (unless you're dodging creditors, lol), but some disadvantages...

Good to hear from you Brian, glad your doing OK and still building/repairing.
Good luck with the move, sure looks peaceful.

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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.

Good deal! Glad things are turning around.

As for the phone, how much do you like people? I personally hate talking on the phone....

Would you still have a local number in your new place? I let the answering machine respond to calls with unknown area codes or prefixes.

Good luck with everything.

If you keep your old number but transfer it to the cheapest VOIP service you can find, you can forward calls on it to your new local number and have the best of both. Good luck.

Excellent point. Looks like a new number for the shop and I like the idea of VOIP to keep my old number that Steve mentioned too,Thanks!

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

No lies there, Tax position is a large part of it. My taxes will be pennies on the dollar compared to operating in Pennsylvania plus I do not need to spend a day each week keeping track of and dealing with sales and use tax either. They do have however a "gross receipts tax" where you pay a very small percentage of total sales after a certain amount per month, and those numbers are engineered for big companies and stores so I will slide right under that and just need to file a form once a quarter and actually pay nothing.....

The other part is I have my brother close by, I lived in Delaware for a short spell many lives ago so I still know some people and my way around.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I'm glad to hear that you are well and have a new direction. I know it is not ideal but it sounds like you are making the best of the unfortunate circumstances. All the best. . .

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

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

Glad to hear you are well, Brian. I hope the move proves beneficial on all fronts.

I would keep the old number and get a new one, then take a year or so to educate customers about my new contact info. An added expense and a bit of a hassle but, unless you don't want/need work from existing clients, it would be penny wise and pound foolish to turn off the old number immediately.

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George :-)

take care wishing you the best in your move and hope you future success

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

You are driven by passion, passion drives success, do well. Best of luck!

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Yo mr howard best of luck . life is an adventure . make the best of it . If delaware is your cup of tea , it sure sounds like it go for it .All the best to you in your new location. We are also planning a move to a better location . Yes there are more tax friendly locations in the us cheers ernie