What have you guys been up to?

[Matthew Lau]

Hey MIMF,

I haven't been on for a long time, since I've had to focus on my dental practice.
Today feels like the first time logged on in a long while.

What have you guys been up to?

[JC Whitney]

Apparently everyone else has been busy this summer too (me included). A while back I signed in, checked for recent posts, and (as I remember it) there had only been one new post in the previous 72 hours. A little while later someone posted a thread,"has anyone heard from Charlie?" and I started to get really nervous. Apparently it was just a lull, but I was sweating it for a while.

[Gordon Bellerose]

Yeah, it was me looking for Charlie. He got back to me, so all is good.
I think everyone is either on vacation, or busy in their shop.
My work is very busy also. I have been doing both, but mostly focusing on two builds I have going.

One is a 5 string bass, and the other is a 6 string electric. I am in the spraying stage on both right now.
Getting excited.

[Jim McConkey]

Traffic has been traditionally way down in summer, for the last 20 years of the forum's existence. Too many people on vacation, keeping their children occupied, or whatever.

I was making good progress on a pair of mandolins (see the 20th Anniversary section), until a surge of work and care of an aging parent got in the way. Hope to get back to it soon!

[Barry Daniels]

I am getting back in the shop after a lag of about 3 years. So far this summer I have repaired 2 violins, built a parts caster including the pickups, restored an Epi Les Paul, and am in the middle of a major repair on a Gretsch 7-string. I hope to get back to my half completed OM real soon. It feels good to be productive again.

[Matthew Lau]

Barry,

It'll be good to have you back making cool things again.

[Matthew Lau]

Any updates guys?

On my end:
- Got new staff. My new full time dental assistant is pretty awesome. My new receptionist is really good too.
- Finally have time for a hobby again, I'll be building an OM for Paul Carmody (designer of the Overnight Sensations speakers, which sound really good).
- Finally getting back to building instruments again.
I was going to do some ukuleles...got some sinker redwood to resaw into tops.
- Been swimming with the Master's group. My goal is to finish a workout without cramps. Been having good gains, but sprained my shoulder with bike accident.
- Got hooked building speakers...built some Overnight sensations, then Quarks.
Personally, I think that it's nice to have tasteful french polished wood-veneered speakers that aren't being sold..