2008 Donald Gorman Bass!!

[Calvin Marks]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

I know Don Gorman, I like him, and I think he does nice work. The shape of the bass does not appeal to me and I am entitled to my opinion that it is a weird shape. I also build basses with a weird shape, so my comment is not inflamatory. Now if you scaled down the lower bout and changed the shoulders as you suggest above, you would have a completely different bass, so what is your point? I just personally do not have an affinity for basses with exaggerated upper-to-lower bout relationships.

Calvin, you had better get used to people disagreeing with you and having different opinions on aesthetics. You are in the arts after all, where no one type of music, or painting, or dance, is everybody's cup of tea.

I agree with you that it is not the most conventional shape, I have no issues with anyone telling me that, but I don't think you have to use the word "weird." It certainly doesn't make me feel that great and I don't know what it does for you? Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm definitely welcoming feedback but I don't know why you would criticize the design while in reality it looks very much like a French bass with a slightly larger bottom. Once again, you're completely entitled to your opinion, and it's obviously a very valid one since you're a masterful luthier. All I'm saying is that for a student (like myself) who is laying down every penny I have it's not exactly the kindest thing to mock my investment. I personally don't think you would call this instrument "weird" to Mr. Barker's face.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

I agree with you that it is not the most conventional shape, I have no issues with anyone telling me that, but I don't think you have to use the word "weird." It certainly doesn't make me feel that great and I don't know what it does for you? Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm definitely welcoming feedback but I don't know why you would criticize the design while in reality it looks very much like a French bass with a slightly larger bottom. Once again, you're completely entitled to your opinion, and it's obviously a very valid one since you're a masterful luthier. All I'm saying is that for a student (like myself) who is laying down every penny I have it's not exactly the kindest thing to mock my investment. I personally don't think you would call this instrument "weird" to Mr. Barker's face.

I did not call the instrument weird. I said it was a weird shape. I would gladly express my opinion of the shape to Mr. Barker or anyone else.

"Weird: 2. Of an odd, peculiar or bizarre character; unusual, strange, fantastic." (American Heritage Desk Dictionary)

Let's agree that it is of an odd character and fantastic. Okay?

Calvin, there was no intent to hurt your feelings, and thank you for the compliment.

[Calvin Marks]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

I did not call the instrument weird. I said it was a weird shape. I would gladly express my opinion of the shape to Mr. Barker or anyone else.

"Weird: 2. Of an odd, peculiar or bizarre character; unusual, strange, fantastic." (American Heritage Desk Dictionary)

Let's agree that it is of an odd character and fantastic. Okay?

Calvin, there was no intent to hurt your feelings, and thank you for the compliment.

No worries. And yes, your work is very very beautiful. Especially your extensions. Don told me to either take my bass to you or Lamario for an extension when it is done. He says yours are the best.

[Ken Smith]

So, how's the new Bass? We have not heard from you about this in some time?

[Eric Hochberg]

He posted some pics here.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

He posted some pics here.

That is some beautiful wood there. We use Quilt almost daily here and know how difficult it can be to deal with. Congrat's on your new Bass and Kudos to your Luthier Donald Gorman for the beautiful workmanship. Stunning!

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

That is some beautiful wood there. We use Quilt almost daily here and know how difficult it can be to deal with. Congrat's on your new Bass and Kudos to your Luthier Donald Gorman for the beautiful workmanship. Stunning!

+1.

I came up in the woodworking trades as a wood machinist. Did an additional two years of apprenticeship, specializing in all kinds of woodworking machine setup and operation.

Had a gig at one point out in CA making these dementedly sinuous chair parts out of quilted Pacific Maple. Depending on the shape of the parts, often had to climb feed the stuff just to keep it from turning into firewood. Working with that is no joke.

Nice bass. Nice work. Nice going, Calvin and Donald!