Thanks, Franz,
LOL, no I won't die of hunger... :-)
I have looked into renting a lute though!
I am just trying to find out what amount of time is acceptable to wait
for such a repair...
I don't want to start trying to put undue pressure on my luthier if the
average wait time for repairing two minor cracks (tragic accident --
Bertha got bumped!!! :-) is 10 months. If that were the case,
"whining" about 5 months would make me terribly ashamed of myself...
Warm regards,
Brent
__________________________________________________________________
From: Franz Mechsner <[email protected]>
To: brentlynk <[email protected]>
Sent: Wed, June 22, 2011 11:55:32 AM
Subject: AW: [LUTE] Re: Lute Repair?
Hi,
There may be lutes available to rent, from lute societies (I know that
for sure for the German lute society) and also sometimes from luthiers.
Maybe it's worth checking out. Even if you might not be formally
eligible (which might be the case with the German society, but I don't
exactly know), people might well be willing to help you in that special
case where a lutenist is going to die from hunger if he would not get a
lute soon.
Best regards
Franz
----------------------------------------------------
Dr. Franz Mechsner
Reader (Associate Professor)
Northumbria University, Dept. of Psychology
Northumberland Building
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST (UK)
Tel: +44(0) 191 227 7479
Fax: +44(0) 191 227 3190
__________________________________________________________________
Von: [email protected] im Auftrag von brentlynk
Gesendet: Mi 22.06.2011 17:50
An: Edward Mast; David Smith
Cc: [email protected]
Betreff: [LUTE] Re: Lute Repair?
Hello everyone who kindly responded to my request for help! Indeed,
you are all
wonderful and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can say right
now that
I agree with ALL of you and can see where everyone is coming from!!! (I
love the
lute community! :-)
To clarify:
The luthier is definitely reputable and I totally understand (and have
always
understood...) the time constraints on people (including luthiers). I
know this
is not a "shady" character I am dealing with...no worries.
The cracked rib and soundboard were totally minor issues -- barely able
to
photograph the cracks for insurance purposes because they were so
minor. The
luthier informed me that "it is not a big deal." The lute was totally
playable
and in no danger if the repairs hadn't ever been embarked upon (which
is why I
am second guessing whether or not it was a good idea to get them done
in the
first place, now! :-) I just didn't like knowing I had those two minor
cracks
which I knew would get longer and more severe over time...
Yes, the soundboard/top will have to be "partially" removed to properly
address
the issues (thus, the $800 charge...).
The luthier did NOT ask for, or "require" payment in advance -- I filed
an
insurance claim and made sure the luthier was paid asap because I
figured the
sooner the luthier was paid, the sooner I would get my lute back. The
insurance
company knew that I would need the lute for gigs as well, and they did
not want
to have to pay extra to cover lost revenue (which I am insured for...)
so they
stepped up to the plate, and I can honestly say, they did their job
VERY well!
I now realize (at this point) that paying (having payment made) in
advance was
probably a mistake, and I take full responsibility for it (no good deed
goes
unpunished, LOL :-). I was just more concerned about the insurance
company
paying than I was about the integrity of my luthier.
I must also say that not all insurers are as evil as they are perceived
to be,
because they did pay up when the time came for them to (I had the
policy for 15
years as well, and never filed a claim before -- I can tell you that
they have
still made well over $1,000 off of me "after" paying my claim! :-).
Indeed, I identify with the comment about the luthier just not wanting
to have
to give a firm delivery date...Probably too busy and such, and I
totally
understand. But again, it has been 5 months and I was told that it
would be
ready "soon" a couple months ago.
When I first sent the lute in for repairs, I didn't ask about if for
over a
month. Then, I asked a month after that. Then, I started asking every
two
weeks and have been continuing to ask every two weeks ever since. I
have always
been very nice (because I am! :-).
The ONLY thing I regularly said to my luthier is as follows:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Howdy, xyz,
I hope all is well for you and yours...
I am just checking up on my lute's status...
Warm regards,
Brent
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
Hey, I am human and I am flawed, LOL -- I just always try to do unto
others as I
would have them do unto me...I realize I might have been being a bit
obsequious,
or, on the other hand, not putting on enough pressure -- I really was
trying to
maintain the middle ground.
As far as having a backup lute, that is a GREAT idea, but I can't
afford it. I
have a huge bass lute and my student lute -- I can't play either in
public
because the bass lute can't be used for the music I am usually asked to
play and
the student lute is just NOT up to par for "public" performance. I
also have a
hurdy-gurdy, some recorders and crumhorns (LOL, all insured...), but I
am a
lutenist first and foremost, musically (just ask my cats -- they freak
out when
I play the gurdy and crumhorns, LOL!)...
I last asked for an update about my lute (I affectionately call her
"Bertha") a
couple weeks ago, and then, I asked again on Monday.
Finally, out of frustration, I also (kindly) asked that if the repairs
are going
to take "too terribly much longer, I would like a letter to my
insurance company
explaining why it is taking so long so that they will begin to
reimburse me for
lost gigs, because that is why they paid so fast in the first place,
and I
already missed the local renaissance festival, church gigs, restaurant
gigs,
etc...but I couldn't ethically file a claim for lost revenue for the
past
several months because I knew I couldn't commit if I didn't have my
lute..." All
true -- honesty is the best policy -- I didn't commit to playing
because I
didn't have my instrument/lute (no, nobody wanted me to play crumhorn
as a
replacement, LOL... :-)
Yes, I have another job, so I am not a lutenist as my "sole" means of
support,
but I still do play for money and I do depend upon that revenue...
Long story short -- sorry this is so long!
I was just thinking that in the business world, even dealing with
artists,
etc... (I am one, too!), I should be able to expect something more from
my
luthier about such an expensive repair (for minor cracks, but I
understand
having to pry up half the sound board...) more than "when it's ready,
you'll be
the first to know."
Thanks again for all your help. I now realize that I am just going to
have to
sit back, be patient and wait for the master. I respect my luthier,
etc...
Thanks again for tolerating me and for all your help. Again, you are
wonderful
people and I am glad to have joined this list. So much great
information and so
many wonderful people...
God bless,
Brent
----- Original Message ----
From: Edward Mast <[email protected]>
To: David Smith <[email protected]>
Cc: brentlynk <[email protected]>; [email protected]
Sent: Wed, June 22, 2011 8:19:52 AM
Subject: Re: [LUTE] Re: Lute Repair?
Hello Brent,
I think David's reply is on the mark. My sense is that lute makers of
any skill
are generally very busy trying to fill orders for new instruments.
While
feeling obligated to do repair work on instruments they've built, this
work is
secondary to the new work they've contracted for. 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. There are many things that
can
happen to a lute to make it temporarily unplayable. 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: [email protected] [[1]mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf
> Of brentlynk
> Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:15 PM
> To: [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
> [2]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
>
>
--
References
1. mailto:[email protected]
2. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/%7Ewbc/lute-admin/index.html
