I've been building for a number of years (not too much, just behind KoAloha). I had a GREAT teacher in Mike Uyeno, although he says I'm a better student (that he has to ask me for help now). I've studied a lot about the craft, although I don't consider myself a luthier. I take the Paul Okami approach, and call myself a craftsman. That said, I've come to know the Okami's very well. Paul has been over to my house more times than I care, and I have an open invite to walk into their shop anytime (which I do). I think I mentioned that I taught Paul how to do inlays. They even give me kudos on their website, in their gallery of custom instruments. Paul and I trade off a lot of ideas with each other, and we both have affected each other's builds (although he'll readily admit to those close to him all the stuff he steals from me - of course, I do the same).
I'm very fortunate that I get also get to interact with guys like Derek Shimizu (my classmate, sort of) and Casey Kamaka (who I've discussed Inlays with). A legend whom I consider a friend is Rick Turner as well as his manager Barry Perlman (a legend himself) - two GREAT guys out of CA. I've learned a lot from Rick and Barry from picking their brains. I think Larry Robinson had the most impact on my Inlays, not only from his book, but the 45 minute one-on-one session that I had with him a couple of years ago (Rick gave Larry his start in the Inlay business).
I try to keep in mind that, unlike what you said about me knowing so much, I'm still learning. I have my instruments where I want them to be, now its the inlays that are stretching my craft. I just delivered Ledward Kaapana's `ukulele last night. That was the most extreme instrument to date, and is the start of a direction I'd like to go. While Grit Laskin's inlay may seem too "out there", his artwork is unreal, and very doable. I've found I like doing faces.
As for you learning from my posts, this is what I enjoy. I hope I'm not too overbearing for this forum, because there seems to be a number of beginners that I hope take my posts from a sharing knowledge standpoint, as you do. I don't know everything, but what I do know and have experience in I share in hopes that others don't learn the hard way (as I have at times).
I'm very fortunate that I get also get to interact with guys like Derek Shimizu (my classmate, sort of) and Casey Kamaka (who I've discussed Inlays with). A legend whom I consider a friend is Rick Turner as well as his manager Barry Perlman (a legend himself) - two GREAT guys out of CA. I've learned a lot from Rick and Barry from picking their brains. I think Larry Robinson had the most impact on my Inlays, not only from his book, but the 45 minute one-on-one session that I had with him a couple of years ago (Rick gave Larry his start in the Inlay business).
I try to keep in mind that, unlike what you said about me knowing so much, I'm still learning. I have my instruments where I want them to be, now its the inlays that are stretching my craft. I just delivered Ledward Kaapana's `ukulele last night. That was the most extreme instrument to date, and is the start of a direction I'd like to go. While Grit Laskin's inlay may seem too "out there", his artwork is unreal, and very doable. I've found I like doing faces.
As for you learning from my posts, this is what I enjoy. I hope I'm not too overbearing for this forum, because there seems to be a number of beginners that I hope take my posts from a sharing knowledge standpoint, as you do. I don't know everything, but what I do know and have experience in I share in hopes that others don't learn the hard way (as I have at times).
