Where do you live?

I love it when you say "Hello!"

I'm always fascinated by the colorful throng of visitors who wander by this website to talk politics, philosophy, or instrument design.

Quite literally, from around the globe.

Some stay for an hour, some for less than a minute: looking, reading, thinking. Powerful currents of intellectual energy leaving tiny electronic footprints.

So here's your chance to give a shout out.

In the past year pen pal friendships developed with visitors from several different continents, including my own. Leave a comment, and your city. I'm waving from the red circle in northwest New Jersey, USA. If you can find me in the cluster. Click map to enlarge.

Comments

[Alex]

I'm quite fascinated by Google Analytics as well. But then, I'm old enough to remember a time when the internet wasn't there and distance was an obstacle to communication.

I access your blog from Soroe, Denmark, but I'm not sure what Google Analytics shows me as. Perhaps Copenhagen, meaning that I'm one of the blobs blocking the entrance to the Baltic Sea on the map.

/Alex

[Joachim]

Howdy! Looks like there are two dots on or around Oslo, Norway. I guess I'm one of'em :)

[Rick Toone]

Ha!

You guys are up late (your time zone). Especially on a school night...

;)

Here's an idea — we integrate Google Analytics with Google Earth. Then create a virtual real-time via-satellite overhead camera view intercontinental jam session.

Okay, who's got the programming chops?

[Amanda]

Amazing guitars! They make me want one and I don't even play. I guess you will have a dot for New Zealand now as well :)

[Rick Toone]

Thank you, Amanda! Why not learn? I'll build you something that will be fun to play...

:)

New Zealand. Wow. I'll make it there one of these days.

[Raymond DeGennaro]

Howdy from the blob west of Chicago, IL and south of Maddison, WI.

Phenomenal work. I plan on taking you up on your Creative Commons offer when I get back from a year-long medical training trip to Afghanistan. I was planning on starting sooner, now that the weather's getting warm enough, but plans change.

Ray

[Rick Toone]

Ray, nice to meet you. Welcome aboard.

"Afghanistan & medical training" is an unexpected and interest-provoking combination. Feel free to elaborate...

[Brendan]

I'm just the other side of a few mountain ranges from you, in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.
I've really enjoyed reading your stuff. I've started building a guitar as practice for the bass I want to build, and I see several of your ideas I'd like to try.

[Rick Toone]

Brendan, looking forward to seeing what you build. Drop me an email and I can provide more details or photos on any ideas you find interesting. Cheers.

[Dave]

Just stumbled on your site today. A buddy of mine acquired some lexan and was talking about using it for a body. I was looking for shapes to suggest to him. It was lunchtime so I had to get back to work. I shall return..... Take care.

[Mica Ström]

Ha! I've found a soul-mate! Not that our guitars look the same but the ethical, moral, ecological and ergonomic starting posts do. As much as I dislike it I'm a bit less innovative and unorthodox than you, though. However, I particularly liked your referring to the guitarist as "her" as opposed to the customary "him." I'll send you some pics of my work soon. After thirty years of planning and experimenting it's about time for me to quit my job as a furniture restoration and cabinet making teacher and to start building guitars professionally. Thank you for your inspiration. You'll hear from me!

This message was intended as a personal message to you but you may of course use parts of it on your web site.

Best wishes,
Mica

[Matt]

Hey Rick! Love your work, your blog, everything. I'm from southwestern MN originally, but just returned to northern MN three years ago from an extended hiatus in CA, GA, and TN. (Not prison, thanks be given.) I really enjoy reading your stuff, and find your background quite fascinating. Your work is quite inspirational, as well as seeming to incorporate a few ideas I have kicked around for a decade or so. Good to think that my creativity may have some merit, and that others have been similarily inspired to go in a direction I was unsure about. I'm a couple years into my third decade, so I hope I still have time to create. I'm sure I'll beg of you some pictures and your blessing when I start a project involving stealing your patterns! You've got a couple things I'd like to incorporate. I have not built a guitar or bass for over 15 years, but I've got a couple skills. I'm starting a couple now. The wood is 3" beams from a wooden picker sheller. I counted over 75 rings in one plank I ripped, and that was certainly a branch, so the tunk must've been huge! Anyway, I'm using a Swede (bow) saw, $8 Buck plane, and handmade scrapers and a Surform. Someone unkindly releived me of a tub full of OLD cabinetmakers tools, i.e., all my grandpa's mostly handmade planes and scrapers, etc. Plus my itsy bitsy table saw and my whole bucket full of framing/rocking/millwright hand tools. Basically my livelihood. So I've taken a deep breath, and a fast food job to get back on top, and decided to plunge ahead, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY! (Here's where you invite me to be your shop troll while I watch you craft. Har har har.) Anyway, thanks for a great resource, kudos on your Locks for Love donation, and keep up the great work. (More pictures, please!) Cheers!

[Abhijeet]

Stumbled to your site from Seth's Blog. Quite impressed with what you do. I live in Bangalore India.

[salvador sambiasi]

hey there! a little shout out from bolivia, i wandered onto your page a few days ago, i rest assured that if i ever get the money together to get me a custom instrument i know who to contact, your perspective on instruments being an extension of the body is exactly how i feel things should be.
thank you

salvador

[Naveen Bachwani]

Howdy, Rick!

Loved your writing, and the Art you produce, man. Especially loved the Quality promise you make to your customers in "Without risk"!

I'm from Bombay (India) and blog about Life, Technology, Fatherhood, etc.

[Ciprian]

You build some very interesting instruments Mr. Toone, I hope we will have a chance to collaborate in the future. I'm from Bucharest, Romania.

[Bill]

Rick,
Greetings from Gaylordsville, CT. You have a VERY interesting site in so many ways. Your political and philosophical thoughts parallel mine in many ways. I've been playing the guitar for 35 or so years now, and have been building my own for almost as many years. Some of the early attempts were comical failures. Recently, I've been able to produce some fairly serviceable instruments. My skills remain several orders of magnitude below yours though. You have outstanding ergonomic design ideas. Unorthodox yet fascinating, along with impeccable ethics. It gives me a lot of inspiration.
Bill

[Rick Toone]

Bill — welcome and thanks very much. It's great to have you here. I'd love to see some of your creations. Feel free to drop an email.

[Sam DeGeer]

Hey! I've been admiring your work for about one month now and am absolutely taken with your dedication and passion for the craft. I'm a young musician who has recently taken to lutherie. I have to say, your work has been quite an inspiration for me! Thank you very much for your amazing work!

[Rick Toone]

Thanks, Sam. It would be interesting to learn if your experience is similar...I've found lutherie and musicianship are related. Sometimes thinking about how to build an instrument makes for better playing.

No. Actually, let's scratch that.

The truth is once I start thinking about the instrument, I forget I'm playing music. I'll wake up from the design "trance" 15 minutes later and realize I left off in the middle of a song.

Is this a disease? Are you affected by this malady?

Keep us updated on your progress. Send some pics of your builds.

[fran snyder]

delighted to find your site through Seth Godin. I run a website called concertsinyourhome.com, and I'll be sharing this with many of our artist-members.

Best,

Fran

[Rick Toone]

Fran — thanks very much.

Seth has been a wonderful mentor to me over the past few years. His marketing philosophy has been integral to my personal progress.

Concerts In Your Home is a great idea. I wish you much success with that model.

I appreciate you referencing me to musician contacts.

[Ken Pollard]

I also ran across your web-site through Seth Godin's blog. Very nice lay-out, and your father's as well.

We visited the Ronald Reagan library in March of 2008, and saw a re-enactment of Lexington and Concord. Wonder if your father was there?

Anyway, nice looking guitars, and enjoyed looking through your blog entries.

Cheers,

Ken
Nampa, Idaho

[Rick Toone]

Thanks, Ken.

I don't think Dad has made the trek to the Ronald Reagan Library yet. It's been a few years since he's been to California. He continues to be active at events up and down the east coast, however.

He's also doing some nifty work for the Smithsonian and Yorktown.

[Ken Pollard]

Hi Rick,

My mis-reading of his web-page. Apparently his mess kit made it to Ronald Reagan library. Way cool in any event.

Ken

[Mark]

Found my way here from eLutherie, where I got drawn into one of the discussions. Greetings from tiny Florence, TX, 1 hour NW of Austin.

[Luke]

Hi Rick,

I think I mentioned it when I first posted here about the Skele, but I'm from Melbourne, Australia. I'll be sitting by the computer till I see the first pics of those rumoured acoustic instruments! ;)

[Rick Toone]

Mark — Welcome, indeed. My cousins just moved to Texas. I think they mentioned it's warm there.

Luke — I guess I'm a little concerned, hoping you at least have someone to bring you food as you're waiting. I'd hate to be responsible for anyone's early demise.

Alternately, I could just email you once I get started on the TOP SECRET UKULELE PROJECT.

(don't mention it to anyone)

[Luke]

I've given thought to your concerns re:sustenance and have decided to purchase a new laptop and take it down to the local pub. Problem solved.

Don't worry however as I won't mention that TOP SECRET UKELELE PROJECT to anyone there, no matter how many drinks they buy me, honest.

Of course an email would also work... but gee that pub idea is really taking hold of my imagination.

All the best Rick!

[Rick Toone]

Luke — I can't adequately express how relieved I am. In many ways, yours seems like the ideal solution, especially if local brew and grub are well represented.

What is the name of this establishment?

You've reaffirmed my confidence in humanity. Obviously decision-making on the individual level is more effective than instituting a mandatory government program.

I'll raze toast in yore honour 'f I can find my geer blass.

[Luke]

Oh, I have a number of options Rick, depending on my mood — however I think the Elwood Lounge would be the best fit. A little food, a little drink, and a little live music.

Consider your toast received, acknowledged and reciprocated!

[Joel Price]

Hey, from Oklahoma City!

Great site, and inspiring designs and philosophy.

As a musician and a visual artist with a great interest in architecture. The connections between the arts really is a lot closer than most would think. It's all a universal language...

I'd love to acquire one of your instruments, but unfortunately they aren't in my price range.

Hit me up on facebook sometime.

[Rick Toone]

Joel — welcome and thanks! I love archictecture...I'll try that in my next lifetime, hopefully. Ever read "The Fountainhead"?

[Travis Daniel Blakely]

Hello!
I am visiting your site, from my home in Wasilla Alaska.I have been interested in craft made Instruments, Particularly Bace and Guitar for a very long time. My new job has given me the opportunity to pick up the Rasp again (=available shop time:-)and found your Dove guitar movie on youtube. Your site has been very inspiring and intriguing. I would like to contact you personally, but thought I would get a dot on your map for The Great Land first, Cheers!
-TtD

[Rick Toone]

Travis — welcome, and thanks for saying "Hello!" It's just early fall, here in New Jersey, with leaves beginning to turn (no frost yet). Are you digging in for winter up there?

[Geoff Keeler]

Hi Rick, I'm looking at your website from Birkenhead (across the river from Liverpool) Merseyside, England. Thanks for a fine, stimulating flow of fresh ideas. May well have to order some aircraft-grade aluminium soon!
Kind regards,
Geoff

[Rick Toone]

Geoff — We're thinking along the same lines. PS: I'm long overdue for a UK visit. Pub crawl. Gethyn, Mark, one of these days...

[Jim]

Mr. Toone, I was interested in your comments regarding Titebond II versus gorilla glue; that's how I found my way to your web site from a search engine.
Also I checked out the photo of the wood pieces placed in the water for 36 hours and noticed the tint of the water 36 hours into the dunking.
FYI, I teach at a career-technical high school in Ohio. Last year my horticulture students and I experimented with making a natural walnut stain. We used a five gallon pail and made a slurry of water and walnuts. We occasionally stirred but mostly left alone. After about a week we applied the natural stain to some lumber pieces with interesting results. The wood was not dramatically stained, but definited permanently stained.
Jim H.
Canton, OH

[Harley Wheeler]

Hello, (from the blob that's probably not on here because it's an old picture) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I love your work Rick, this is innovation like I've never seen. I'm a 16 year old with an incredible interest in lutherie, (yet no means with which to practice it yet) and this is definitely some inspiring work that has opened my outlook from a traditional view, to discovering all that can be. I've began really examining what people, such as yourself, are doing.
Have to love run-on sentences!