2001 GAL Convention Comments...
Hi Tim and Deb,
A quick but heartfelt thanks for all you did to make Bob's stay
and presentation comfortable. He had a great time. I'm going next
time even though I don't like to fly!
---Cindy Benedetto
Hi Deb,
Thanks again for a wonderful convention, I love them!
---Julius Borges
Dear Deb, Tim, GAL Staff,
Many thanks and loads of praise for the fantastic job you did
with the convention! Pearl Django - unbelievable! and the first
ever electric
guitar session was really neat! Being an acoustic builder primarily,
I went to the electric guitar session only 'because it was there'
and am glad I did. Please significantly expand the amount of time
for the electrics and enlist a couple more professional-caliber
players.
---Gareth Oka
Hello Deb and all at GAL,
GREAT GREAT Works! Congratulations!
I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to all you people at GAL
for the great convention. l'm looking forward to the next one!
Best Regards,
God Bless,
---Jeffrey Yong
Hi Tim,
This is to let you know how thoroughly Billie and I enjoyed ourselves.
To me, these conventions are the luthier's ultimate vacation.
And this last convention was no disappointment. You might like
to know that after it was over, we took both your advice as well
as Deb's. We drove out to Mt. Rainier on Sunday, and were amazed
at the beauty of the place. Then we drove up to Port Townsend
and got to see your northern coast. Tuesday was the visit to Hoh
rain forest where we stood dumbfounded at those immense Sitka
spruces. Well--it was just a fine trip, and I think every member
of the Guild should start planning now for the 2004 convention.
I know I am.
Thanks for a good convention, for all your hard work, and a special
thanks to Todd Brotherton.
---Steve Kinnaird
Hi Deb,
I'm still reeling from the AMAZING Convention 2001. What a blast.
I made a few new friends and had the most fun ever, except maybe
that glorious one we did in St Estes State Park. It's really interesting
to notice the way the old veteran members are mellowing. It was
a very fun and comfortable event. As usual, I gained many important
up to date ideas about the art of Lutherie and repair.
---Brady Anderson
Dear Tim, Deb, Bon, Todd, Kurt, Jon, et al,
Thanks for a great convention. I had a great time, learned a lot,
saw old friends, made new friends, bought one set of spruce, gave
away a bunch, ate like a prince (of a very small, very gustatorially
impoverished country), and slept not much. I especially liked
sitting quietly with Bob B. while he debunked sacred myths, like
the workings of physics and sales. Good job, and well done. You
da men and women
---Harry Fleishman
I was simply overwhelmed by the 2001 GAL convention. And I remain
overwhelmed by the work, the committment, the information that
was shared, and mostly by the people who attended and the good
people who put the show on. I made new friends. I saw old friends
gather to share and renew deep friendships that are decades old.
I saw miracles of appreciation and learning everywhere!
It knocked the wind into me. Damn, the standards are high! And
I wouldn't have it any other way. Once I catch my breath again,
everything I am doing in lutherie will take a measurable step
upward.
Thank you Tim, and ALL of the great Guild staff, for a job so
well done.
---Marc Connelly
Hi Todd, Tim, Deb, Bon, Jon . . . . and everyone:
Once again, thanks for putting on such a good show, with all
the hundreds of hours of preparation, logistics and communicational
work these things entail.
I find that I still, after all these years, experience getting
ready for these things as a pain in the ass: disruption, time
away from work, worry and anxiety about whether I'll do a good
job in whatever I've committed myself to doing, etc. etc. But
once I'm there, it's great! And I come back energized, enthusiastic
and inspired to get back to my workbench and do better work.
Thank you. For both the pain in the ass and the tremendous inspiration
and relief! The first keeps me humble, and. as far as the second,
it doesn't hurt that I've been in this field for 500 years and
that a lot of people look up to me.
---Ervin Somogyi
Hi Tim,
It was a great honor to be asked to contribute at the recent
convention, and I was glad of the opportunity to give something
back to an organization that's given me so much. I doubt anyone
questions the fact that the GAL has made lutherie what it is today,
at least for we guitar makers. The Guild is great, the Guild is
good, the Guild is great, and good!
---Mike Doolin