I’ve lived in the Washington DC area since the mid-80s I’m 62 & I live in Chantilly, Virginia which is across the river from the District of Columbia. It’s also affectionately known as the DMV; District, Maryland, & Virginia.

I used to be on the road with bands in the 80s to the early 90s. I got off the road and 92 when my wife was pregnant with our daughter and have been doing gigs in and around the DMV weddings, corporate gigs, & sometimes pushing cases at large venues for large tours.

Happily married, going on 35 years. I have a daughter who is married to a wonderful guy who treats her right.

They live in Frankfurt. I guess all is fine in the world. Lol…

I’ve been watching Crimson guitar videos since about 2018. I just wanted to thank those involved in the production of the CG YouTube channel.

Always enjoyable to watch. And when times are not so good either physically or mentally or both, you have been an escape for me like other Youtubers, such as Brody from the YoungBloods or the Pedal Show guys Dan & Mick and many more are moments of some escape from the maddening drone of the world.

So I may have said this before, and I’ll say it again, please enjoy every sunrise, every sunset, and every sandwich in between.

Much aloha to all of you and Mahalo for the guitar!

I started out as a bass player and played in a number of bands in my student days in the ’80s. Took up electric guitar in the ’90s when I inherited some money from my Grandma & bought a Gibson Les Paul Studio, which I still have. Play mainly for my own entertainment now, and am still learning. Love live music and love guitar. Have wanted a Telecaster for a while now and you’ve made my wish come true!

Currently an IT-Manager in a Norwegian Pest Control Company after having spent 12 years in the army and quite a few years as a teacher.

Been playing woodwinds since the age of 7 (eons ago… 1970 to be precise).

Played woodwind, guitar and keyboard in a dance band and as a trubadour through the 80’s and 90’s.

Currently playing woodwind (and the occational guitar) in a local Big Band.

Best regards,

Rune Arntzen

This guitar is an incredible handmade one-of-a kind instrument, and Ben’s immaculate fretwork make it a joy to play. I’m humbled to have the chance to own such a great instrument, and I hope the Dorset Guitar Museum gives all of its visitors the same sort of happiness to experience guitars they didn’t think they would ever get to in-person. 

The guitar arrived quickly and in perfect condition, and I haven’t been able to put it down! I feel like I personally owe Ben an apology for taking the guitar from him! (Sorry, Ben!)

Arrived very safely. Beautiful guitar. Many thanks to all involved.  Richard SW

I am so happy to have won this great guitar! I enjoy every minute with it and now that I’m done with my exams, I just can’t put it down anymore!
There is no chance I could afford something like this PRS in the next few years, which makes it extra special to me.
I hope the Dorset Guitar Museum will become the greatest guitar museum in the world and I would love to visit it some day!

John was given a ukulele at age 4, and G.A.S. really set in in his early teens, when he went through his garage band stage. Many instruments later, he lives in Virginia with his wife, two cats, and over three dozen (mostly) fretted, stringed instruments. He plays mostly at open mics or with friends at small gigs. For the last decade or so, he jams regularly with a group of friends (on guitar and bass.)

This fabulous instrument will be shaking the jam shack this Saturday!

Feeling sooooooooo fortunate,

John Sovitsky

Hey Ben, Blue Sparkles, Sophia, Sam, and everyone. Thank you for the guitar and raffle opportunities. I was actually wanting a lightweight guitar. And by the grace of Ben and the Universe, I received the DANELECTRO ’57 Reissue. Feels great. Sounds good.

Can’t wait to see the museum tour.

Best,

Tommy G

David Oddy

I had no training and purely took this up as a hobby. I have played Guitars (badly) for most of my life and building them for me was a natural progression especially in retirement when I now have the time.

These builds, if nothing else, helped me learn about the Art of a Luthier, a voyage of discovery. I learned a lot from my mistakes which may well not be the way to go about this but certainly gave me confidence especially as, when I run into problems, - which I still do - hopefully I have the experience to know how to solve them.

EVOLUTION

From starting to build and finish Kits several years ago whilst living in France to building my own bodies this journey has been exciting to say the least.

On returning to the UK I did not bring any of my tools with me as not knowing where we would live I did not know if I would have the space for a workshop.

The House we purchased had a small Garage which I have made my Workshop and over the last couple of years got together my "tools" again. I did not purchase all new items as my budget would not allow this and have obtained many hand tools second hand via eBay. I will say at this point that anyone starting out on this adventure should consider old tools such as Chisels, Gouges, Planes, Saws etc. as there is a lot of excellent used equipment out there especially with cutting tools and in my opinion some of the "old" tools are far better than some of the new stuff available.

Make learning how to sharpen tools your first task.

I now have some electrical equipment which, if you are serious, you should consider like: Pillar Drill, Bandsaw, Chop Saw, Bench Saw, Drills etc. and various Power tools such as Planers, Sanders, Jigsaws etc and again see what is offered on the used market.

I do need to update some of the equipment though and there are certain items I still need like Spraying Equipment, New Bandsaw and Pillar Drill - but I can and do manage without these.

Note: Spraying Equipment now in place.

Finishing has proved to be a bit of a problem especially over the Winter months as here in Wales it does tend to rain a lot and get very cold. However this got me into staining and oil finishing especially with Tru Oil and this I can do in the House safely and is very enjoyable. It takes quite some time but keeps me occupied over Winter.
My preference is now Stain and Oil and Crimsons products are probably the best for this.

Furthering my Luthier career I decided to open some Facebook Groups dedicated to the Art as well as Home Recording and again over time I have built up a brilliant and loyal membership with over 110,000 Members all dedicated as well. My main Groups have attracted some first class sponsors.

Some time ago I started to watch the many videos that Ben Crowe of Crimson Guitars had posted and this is when I really got into my hobby. I became aware of my shortfalls and watched eagerly all the brilliant advise that Ben gave.

For me the Crimson Guitar videos and the excellent products they sell are a must for anyone interested in this wonderful hobby.

I will never achieve my goals always being a hobbyist as there is always something to learn, but the journey is exciting to say the least.
 
UPDATE

I have now updated some of my equipment and purchased a CNC machine that will cut bodies to my design. I still make the initial designs by hand and once satisfied convert into files for the CNC.

This, I will admit, is causing me some problems as creating the design and the files in the CNC software is confusing to say the least and I still spend most on my time "hands on" rather that using the CNC. Good if you are in business I suppose but not for me.

For my Sins I also started to collect Guitars as and when I could afford it and now have quite a collection which I enjoy adding to as and when – and the good Wife lets me!

Hi Guys and Gals,

Apologies for not contacting you sooner, perhaps you sent some southern lurgi with the guitar, who knows, but I have been ill since the day after and only just good enough to resume something of a “normal”

existence. Whatever it was put a real dampener on my Christmas and New Year, but it still didn’t completely dampen the arrival of this beautiful guitar.

I just want to thank you properly and send a pic of me as I took it from the case. It arrived unmolested and sounds sweet, great job on that set up. Thanks again . (Hope the image does not scare anyone lol).

Best wishes

Steve G

Yay! Superhappy!

Hey there!

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying myself with this beauty the past week and absolutely love it to bits! It’s nothing like I’ve owned yet. I think you’re all doing absolutely fantastic work and I can’t thank you enough for holding these giveaways and giving chances at owning amazing pieces like this one.

I’ve attached a copy of pictures of the T-60 in its new home paired up with gear through the decades. An old British made HH Electronic 212dc PA cab from the 70s, the T-60 from the 80s, a Crate Powerblock from the 2000s, and the Marshall guv’n’nor plus from the 2010s ( and of course the player, myself, from the 90s!).

Again thank you so much.

Carwyn.