Mule

Sometimes people use the word 'talented'. I am not that. I think its a thing, but that's not me. I know this, and you would too, because the Wall of Shame I had started while I was at H&D with all the mistakes I would make soon had to stop because lack of room. When I taught myself how to build these steel resonators, that Wall of Shame soon became a room, and then I took its contents to the scrap yard and they gave me $7 for it. When I win it's because I've made every mistake, and just so happen to have things go right. If a wait list is the judge, the guitars seem to be becoming a thing. So I went to find talented help, because if I found another me (or didnt find anyone) I'd be writing this while using the Wi-fi in the parking lot at MCDonald's. Luckily I didn't have to go far. My dad John has been making up the neck blanks for quite some time. He will wake up at 4:30 on a Saturday like he always has, work out and then make a batch of neck blanks before I wake up at 6:30 on a Saturday patting myself on the back. My brother Phil has been building most of the bodies for the past year. Except in looks Phil has been able to surpass me in just about any endeavor. I'll try things about 29 minutes before he does and then hes quickly showing me how I'm doing them wrong. Adam is the most recent addition and his contribution is two fold. FIrst he disagrees with just about everything I say. So much so, I have The Smithers Test- if I propose an idea and he doesn't find something to disagree with me on in three seconds I know its a good idea and requires no further discussion. Second he builds everything better than I do. I'll make a fret holder out of a chewed up piece of plywood, and he will find the nicest scrap piece of flamey maple, proportion it perfectly, seal it and put it to use. The body holder he made for his bench is exquisite. He hung the shop hammock perfectly. The man could make a spoon a centerpiece. I'm grateful for all of their help and excited for the next year.