I love to repair and build guitars - by myself - by hand. It's not a great way to make money - but frankly I don't give a !@#$#! I was born into a working class family with a healthy work ethic - gold miners, engineers, carpenters. I feel good at the end of the day if I put in a good hard day - we call it good and tired. Carving and sanding an instrument neck or solid body by hand will make me good and tired - but also happy. I will build guitars until I croak - because I love it, I want to, I like watching others play my instruments - the whole process from beginning to end gives my life a sense of meaning, belonging and harmony.

Nuff said, Neil Smith - winter 2010