As this year comes to an end I find myself a little excited about the future. This year started out quite the opposite for me. Last January I attended the NAMM Show in Anaheim Ca. at which I saw my 1st. stick Dulcimer in the form of a “Strum Stick” by McNally. He was marketing them as kids instruments with No Wrong Notes! I had a lengthy conversation with him & left feeling a little negative & not knowing why. A month or so later Fretboard journal sent an invitation to attend a showcase of a local Guitar builder named Danny Ferrington (volume #31) When he showed up with his stuff I was surprised to see some Gourd Guitars. As I woke up the next morning I found myself Again, a little bummed out, but now I understood why. I had no understanding of Stringed instruments - their history, or their Soul. I started out building Archtops from a book.
This experience left me uninterested in building for the better part of the year, but I did start listening to & looking at videos on Dulcimers of all types, Gourd instruments, Banjos & various African instruments.
I am now happy to say that after having completed One Gourd guitar & two Stick Dulcimers My interest in building is renewed & I look forward to building many more instruments that I previously had no interest in.
Hope I don’t sound too nuts
Happy New Years to all of you creative souls at there.
