In my opinion no self respecting Luthier should take 8 months to repair a cracked soundboard and cracked rib.A Unless the extent the crack is disastrous, they are relatively simple to repair, even if they have to remove the top.A
A Bruno On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 8:19 AM, Edward Mast <[1][email protected]> wrote: Hello Brent, I think David's reply is on the mark. A My sense is that lute makers of any skill are generally very busy trying to fill orders for new instruments. A While feeling obligated to do repair work on instruments they've built, this work is secondary to the new work they've contracted for. A As frustrating as it is to be without an instrument, I think nothing will be gained by pushing the maker about the repairs, though an occasional polite inquiry should be ok. A recommendation, though, since you rely on your instrument for work; if you can possibly afford it get a second instrument. A There are many things that can happen to a lute to make it temporarily unplayable. A Having a backup seems prudent. Best wishes, Ned On Jun 22, 2011, at 1:52 AM, David Smith wrote: > Hi Brent, > I have a little experience in both getting repairs and ordering instruments. > My experience is that luthiers must juggle many different demands on their > time and repairs are prioritized amongst all their other demands. One year > ago I had a bridge on a couple of year old 10 course lute come off. I > contacted the luthier and fedex'd the lute to him overnight with the > expectation that the repair could be done quickly. It took around 3 months. > It was done beautifully and I love the result. I did not pay for it until it > was finished. The communication of expectations on the other hand was not > done cleanly. The luthier is a master builder but not necessarily a > fantastic PR person. > > In the same vain I have an 8 course lute (from a different luthier) that was > ordered last October with the expectation that it would be available > sometime around January. In March I was informed that it was almost done and > paid the remaining amount. I am still waiting. I have discussed this with > the luthier and there are many reasons why time does not flow as predictably > as I would like. This is an internationally recognized luthier with a > fantastic reputation for quality and reliability. I have no complaints > except that I expect production line timing from a craftsman - the > expectations do not match and I get to reset my expectations. > > If your luthier is reputable (which I assume he is) then it will happen when > it happens. I would love it if communication could be clearer but I have not > seen that. The response you received from the luthier sounds like someone > under lots of demands and unable or unwilling to provide time estimates. > This is one of the joys of owning a work of art (and there are really many > when you consider the living instrument in yours hands created from blocks > of wood). > > So, while I agree that it is getting near time for your repair to be done > and you are justified in your desire to have more precision in the responses > it is not surprising to me. > > I would approach the luthier with understanding of his constraints but also > continue, on a regular but not bothersome period, to ask for an update. > > I hope my experiences help some. > > Regards > David > > -----Original Message----- > From: [2][email protected] [mailto:[3][email protected]] On Behalf > Of brentlynk > Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:15 PM > To: [4][email protected] > Subject: [LUTE] Lute Repair? > > Hello, > > I am new to this list, but I have been playing the 10-course lute for a > couple decades... :-) > > I have a problem and I am not sure how to handle it -- I really need some > advice and guidance from people who know the lute-world better than I do (I > play, but am pretty much "solo" secondary to geographical constraints, > LOL...). > > I sent my lute off to a reputable luthier (who built it about 15 years > ago...) for repairing a cracked soundboard and rib, and I have had some > difficulty getting it back. It has been five months since I sent it in for > repairs, and the luthier was paid in advance (over $800) for the repairs... > > But when I last asked about getting it back because, like anybody, I want it > back, and on top of that, I am missing gigs and losing money, the luthier > simply > responded: "you'll be the first to know when it is finished." > > Well, that response kind of bothered me because I have been so patient and > the luthier told me that it would be ready "soon" a couple months ago... > > I realize that everyone is busy, etc...and I want to be a nice guy -- I > certainly don't want to burn any bridges, etc...(which is why I am not > mentioning names!). But I am just wondering what an acceptable amount of > time is for getting such a repair done -- if it is 10 months and I am > complaining about it at the 5 month mark, I will be TOTALLY ashamed of > myself!!!! > > Please, anybody who has had experience with such a situation, I need > guidance! > > Warm regards, > Brent > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > [5]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > > -- A Bruno Cognyl-Fournier A [6]www.estavel.org A -- References 1. mailto:[email protected] 2. mailto:[email protected] 3. mailto:[email protected] 4. mailto:[email protected] 5. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html 6. http://www.estavel.org/
