A great interview of a neck fitter at Martin

[chazmo]

I love this interview. Makes me feel good about recently buying a Martin. And, it makes me wish I'd found a company like Martin to work at all these years in high tech -- possibly no place like this exists.

Hey, workedinwesterly and hideglue... Do you guys ever wish you'd worked there instead of Guild?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/jobs/02pre.html

 

[john_kidder]

That's the kind of pleasure and pride in a job that leads to someone putting their initials in the trussrod cavity of a Tacoma Guild.

 

[chazmo]

John, I completely agree. When someone wants their "mark" on something they build I take that as a sign of accountability and hopefully pride.

 

[sitka_spruce]

I think this lady could well be the backbone of CF Martin, a grand old lady of that brand. If my memory serves me well she was also interviewed in one of the documentaries at Musicians' Friend's video booth.

 

[gilded]

Thanks, Chazmo!

I like the way she describes the joining process. Much less clumsy than when I try and say it. I think I'll steal her language!

There are 2-3 Martin factory tour video series on Youtube. I've seen this gal in two of 'em. Check it out!

Oh, a couple of weeks ago, I visited my luthier. He was resetting the neck on a 1939 Martin OO-18. For what it's worth, the serial number of the guitar was written in pencil in the dovetail join. I don't remember if it was on the neck, in the body join, or both.

 

[plaidseason]

I loved that article - it says so much about how much pride and effort goes into a "factory" guitar.

Playing music around southern New England, I've met a few former Guild employees and trust me every single one of them was bursting the same amount of pride as Ms. Cummings. I recall playing with a band in Providence and the bass player (a former Guild employee) spent a good five minutes looking over my F44 . . . smiling the whole time.

 

[workedinwesterly]

"Hey, workedinwesterly and hideglue... Do you guys ever wish you'd worked there instead of Guild?"

nope.
firstly: martin only hires from the nazareth area,

secondly: Guild had the added attraction of building and repairing something other than a flat-top acoustic...Archtop, solidbody, semi-solid. They did it all...even wierd stuff like the ashbory.

thirdly: The only advantage of working at Martin is that i'd still have my job !!!

I guess i could start wishing now !

 

[hideglue]

Hey, workedinwesterly and hideglue... Do you guys ever wish you'd worked there instead of Guild?

Chaz,

No, I dont.

 

[chazmo]

Hey, thanks for the answers, guys! Excellent point I hadn't considered, WiW... Lots of variety. I *definitely* understand how that makes life spicy and interesting.

You guys must feel how I do about some of the very successful high-tech companies that I didn't join in my career. Not for a second, for example, would I wish that I'd gone to Microsoft to work -- despite the fact that I'd be a very wealthy man if I had. On the other hand, if I'd been a craftsman working at Guild, Gibson, Fender... my love of acoustics would've probably had me second-guessing myself if I hadn't moved to Martin.

Best wishes, guys. Just thinking out loud, and no offense intended!

Anyone have any news from New Hartford? I haven't heard back from their VP about a Guild tour yet...