Posted by frianm on Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Well I have announced my retirement - Jan 5 09 - and am starting to thin out my possessions. I was able to sell my old SS Stewart to a delightful HO member and I have given my Pennington/Gold Tone Woody to a young woman in the parish who already plays fiddle and guitar. I performed the wedding for her and her young husband a while back and they are growing together wonderfully and they sing and play together. I was able to give him a large part of my theology library so the banjo was a bribe to his bride. I fully expect that this summer when they return to our town she will be playing well need need an upgrade banjo. We shall see - I love to encourage young musicians.
Having cut down on my banjos I am pleased to have found a Stelling. This is one of my dream instruments. I hope to get it here in a week or so. Meanwhile I am looking for a buyer for my Deering Sierra, upgraded with a Pass rim. I have put my Huber ring on my Gibson camp banjo and am thrilled by its sound and playability. I have a Huber/Gibson rim coming for it to replace the old walnut one. So long as I can get satisfactory fit of the neck I shall be home free.
I was delighted today to get together with a deacon friend from Fond du Lac who plays really well and who will work with me to cure my bad banjo habits and discipline my playing. I hope we can get together weekly.
I am off now in a month to Belize and Peru for a sabbatical visit and to look at mission opportunities. I was asked to look at a job in Madagascar but my wife is not sure there - very far away. We shall see how God guides us. I shall pack my openback Vega franken instrument by taking it apart and putting it in the suitcase. Then I can carry the guitar s well. I shall probably spend much of the two months singing and plying with church children.
Enough rambling
I do hope all this snow melts before Memorial day!
3 comments
on “Developments”
Cottonmouth Says:
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 @7:40:43 AM
Good Morning, Ian. Should you have a short-scale 5-string neck tha needs a new home, please let me know. Enjoy your trip to Belize, but pray hard about Madagascar; the sharks are ravenous! Ken
frianm Says:
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 @8:00:08 AM
Thanks Ken,
Sorry no short scale necks. I have seen a couple on ebay these last few months.
Ian
mainejohn Says:
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 @8:19:42 AM
Hi Ian: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! I hope this means you'll spend more time in VT and that we can get together...
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