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: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu [mailto:lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu] On Behalf > Of brentlynk > Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:15 PM > To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu > 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 > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > >
