News/Newsletter 12.07
Resolutions and Restoration
So here we are at the end of 2007...can you believe
it's here already? I truly can not! Life moves faster
and faster every day and as every year passes. There
never is enough time to get everything done. With the
dawn of every New Year we all enjoy making
resolutions. Some we keep, and most we just forget
about. I hope that you see good results of your own.
If I may I would like to share mine with you.
I read a great article featuring an interview with
Bill Collings. It's only obvious that Bill knows what
he's doing and has managed to forge a path of
greatness through the world of guitar making. He
deserves every bit of his success, proving that hard
work and dedication can and will pay off at some
point. What fascinated me the most about his article
was not related to the guitar making - my guitars are
absolutely nothing like Collings guitars. We are at
opposite ends of the spectrum in many ways. What I
appreciated the most was a quote that was placed smack
dab in the center of a page. Collings states that "at
some point you have to decide what it is you're doing,
you either restore guitars or build guitars, they
can't be done side by side". In my opinion no truer
statement can be made! I speak from experience. The
functions of the individual tasks involved for either
building or restoring are completely opposite. In the
amount of time it may consume to restore a certain
piece you could have possibly have built two or three
instruments. It's hard to get to that point because
there is just not enough time in a day. The end result
depends on what is truly your inspiration.
Throughout the years I have had a great love affair
with restoration work. It's such a great feeling to
take an instrument and breathe life back into it,
making it not only a functioning part of a musical
family but also a smart return on an investment. All
of the instruments I've restored were my teachers,
unlocking countless mysteries to me that otherwise I
would not know. You can't put a value on that
information. Those learning experiences will stay
with me forever. If it wasn't for those instruments I
would never have been inspired to build my own. That,
of course, brings me to what I am about to say...
Starting in January 2008 I will no longer be accepting
repair or restoration work. I have thus far been
blessed with a building schedule that puts me into
2009. With people expecting their orders to be filled
I have no room or time in my shop for repair work of
any kind. It would only set me back, and there is only
so much time available. I have decided that my true
inspiration has evolved into building, so I want to
use my time and energy wisely. I can't express how
excited I am with the number of handmade guitars I
have the potential to produce in my lifetime. No
better time than the present to get started. $!@*#*%
or get off the pot as they say.
To everyone that has allowed me to work on their
guitars I thank you so very much. Your patronage has
been amazing, and the guitars I have been allowed to
work on have been incredible. There is a part of me
that will miss restoration very much. And it can be a
scary endeavor to cut away a part of your business!
But I truly believe in what I am setting out to do. I
look forward to the evolution of my guitars - which
can only happen if I am building them! It is important
that we are all true to who we are as individuals,
throwing caution into the wind at times. All of my
heroes in life possess that ability. They have taught
me the valuable lesson that you don't know until you
try. They have inspired me and many others along the
way. So here I am with my New Year's resolution,
remembering that I am my only obstacle and it's time I
get out of the way!
Have a safe and happy holiday season. And best of luck
with those resolutions!
Frankie Montuoro
12.6.07
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