About the Luthier (cont'd)
Then I opened my own repair shop in the basement of a music store, where I repaired and restored every type of acoustic stringed instrument imaginable. I continued building as well. My tool collection grew along the way, to where I had more than just books to use as clamps. Hand tools prevailed as they still do today.
In 1976 I went to Europe and studied extant instruments in many of the famous museums. With encouragement from Michael Lorimer, I also spent a month working intensely with the well known Dutch lute and guitar maker, Nico van der Waals.
I returned home to feed my passion for luthiery. Five years of college was enough for me. Building guitars, many styles of lutes, vihuelas, harpsichords, baroque guitars, harps etc., and keeping my hand in repair and restoration, I worked fifteen hours a day or more, often seven days a week. The desire to attain a deeper understanding of my art burned in me.
Over twenty five years later, the passion to build the finest instruments possible is stronger than ever. I've narrowed my focus to primarily classical and flamenco guitars, and a few 19th century and baroque guitars . This continued drive has, of course, been fueled by too many people to mention. To them I owe a great deal of thanks, and to my many customers I promise to put all my experience and knowledge into each instrument I build. What else can I possibly do; I can't help myself.