Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments - Page 2

Jill McAuley · 11-10-2009, 10:44 AM

I'm confused now - have some of you put deposits down x amount of years ago and not received any communication or instrument to date?

Cheers,
Jill

danb · 11-10-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill McAuley

I'm confused now - have some of you put deposits down x amount of years ago and not received any communication or instrument to date?

Cheers,
Jill

Correct

wsgumby · 11-10-2009, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Jill McAuley
I'm confused now - have some of you put deposits down x amount of years ago and not received any communication or instrument to date?

Quote:

Originally Posted by danb

Correct

Hmmm...I think I would regard this as theft. If he plans to finish the instruments the least he could do is keep his clients informed. And obviously if he doesn't plan on finishing the instruments he has no right to the money. I would sue.

W. S. Gumby

Mike Black · 11-10-2009, 03:29 PM

I have a friend in the Colorado Springs area that just got his SOS Octave Mandolin earlier this year (in May I believe). So he is getting instruments out. I know that he had a hard time getting communication from him too. He's very laid back and on his own timetable. Definitely got the Hawaiian feel going on. But that's why his instruments are so beautiful. He takes his time.

Steve-o · 11-10-2009, 05:59 PM

James and Dan,
I'm terribly sorry to hear about your predicament. I guess I didn't understand what was going on when I commented. I hope Mike's anecdote gives you a bit more hope.

I've got to see/hear one of these SOS instruments.

oldwave maker · 11-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Its always a humbling experience for this chronic octave crafter to fondle one of Stephens fabulous works of art. Did coloradoan Charlie Hall ever get his back?

Mike Black · 11-10-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldwave maker

Its always a humbling experience for this chronic octave crafter to fondle one of Stephens fabulous works of art. Did coloradoan Charlie Hall ever get his back?

Yes, he did.

sliabhstv · 11-10-2009, 08:42 PM

I don't feel at all that I've been a victim of theft.

I haven't harassed him, and I trust there will be a good outcome.

stv

Bill Van Liere · 11-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Like most people in the mandolin world, that I come across and deal with anyway, I consider Stephen a really good guy. He was honest and gracious with me. He was about a half a year late getting me the Octave (in hindsight that seems like not much) but acknowledged that and put a pick guard and some inlay on the neck at no extra charge. It was worth the wait.

good luck to those in waiting, glad to here is still building and if you get a chance, say howdy from me.

first string · 11-11-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve-o

James and Dan,
I'm terribly sorry to hear about your predicament. I guess I didn't understand what was going on when I commented. I hope Mike's anecdote gives you a bit more hope.

I've got to see/hear one of these SOS instruments.

Just to clarify, I didn't ever place an order with Mr Smith. I was merely stating that while I love his instruments, and am planning on being in the market for a bouzouki in a year or so, I wouldn't care to work with someone who can't be bothered to return the occasional phone call, or keep his customers appraised of their order's status. This seems to be an issue with a few top builders, and however talented they may be, they wouldn't be my choice. Delays are innevitable, but communication seems like the bare minimum of courtesy that one should extend to ones customers.

Eddie Sheehy · 11-11-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldwave maker

Its always a humbling experience for this chronic octave crafter to fondle one of Stephens fabulous works of art. Did coloradoan Charlie Hall ever get his back?

High Praise indeed Bill - coming from you. I've seen and heard Don Grieser's OM you built and that is one beautifully crafted instrument.

Graham McDonald · 11-11-2009, 11:07 PM

I can only second Bill Bussman's comment. I have been making these things for close on 30 years and I have had the pleasure of having inspected and played instruments by most of the well respected builders over that period and briefly met Steve at Zoukfest1 back in '98. In terms of conception, design and execution Steve's instruments are so far ahead of what anyone else is doing that it is (in Australian horse racing terminology) Steve out in front, daylight second.

He may not live what, even for a musical instrument maker, might be considered a normal lifestyle, but many great artists don't. Pompous statements about suing him are just silly. It seems as if new instruments do turn up, perhaps infrequently, so if he does have a deposit, you should get an instrument eventually. Even if you don't want it when it comes, I would suggest you could perhaps immediately resell it and probably make a dollar or two.

If I could justify it to her indoors, I would put an order in for one myself, just for the sheer pleasure of owning a little bit of genius.

cheers

graham

wsgumby · 11-12-2009, 03:51 PM

Well Mr. McDonald, you're right. Being an artistic genius gives Mr Smith every right to ignore his customers for years. Superior humans can't be held to the same standards of decency as us lesser folk.

W. S. Gumby

Ed Benzedrine · 11-15-2009, 02:16 PM

At the risk of sounding intolerant .... where, in any other sphere of life, would a 'customer' put up with being ignored by their supplier ? ... I guess thats where being an 'artisan' of some considerable reverence sets a person aside from the 'Average bear, Yogi'.

A wait of 10 years ish, is admirable from a customer, and a 'waiting patiently in silence' stance does indeed say something good about that person... you would, of course be well within the bounds of acceptability to voice a bit of concern, should you wish to.

I guess if you want one.. be prepared for a bit of delay and don't look to be kept in the picture !...
the instruments themselves do sound like they're worth the wait !

Interesting story !.

Pete Brown · 11-15-2009, 07:54 PM

My first post here, so I hope I've started out by providing something vaguely useful!

I managed to find an archived version of his web site for those of you wishing to view his instruments. The pages seem very slow to load as I assume they're retrieved from the archive as needed. I haven't checked to see that all the links within the site still work, but it's better than nothing.

http://web.archive.org/web/200708200...sic.com/steve/

Cheers
Pete

sgarrity · 11-16-2009, 04:37 PM

Now that's what I was after. Those instruments are beautiful!!

Steve-o · 11-16-2009, 08:07 PM

OMG!

Now I see what all the attention to SOS is about - very creative and exquisitely beautiful instruments! His artistry reminds me a little of Brian Dean (Labraid), although very unique in its own right. Thanks for the link Pete.

hank · 11-16-2009, 08:41 PM

Did he move to Hawaii or Middle Earth? Those have to be crafted by Elves.

11-10-2009, 10:44 AM	#26
Jill McAuley Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: scenic Oakland, CA or forgotten East Galway, take your pick. Posts: 653	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments I'm confused now - have some of you put deposits down x amount of years ago and not received any communication or instrument to date? Cheers, Jill __________________ 2008 Pomeroy A4 (#126) 2008 Weber Custom Gallatin F oval hole 2009 Gold Top Red Line Traveler 1920 Stromberg short scale tenor banjo www.myspace.com/mandolinappreciationsociety "you don't have to leave, but your coat's in the front garden..."

11-10-2009, 03:29 PM	#29
Mike Black Formerly: Summit33 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 181	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments I have a friend in the Colorado Springs area that just got his SOS Octave Mandolin earlier this year (in May I believe). So he is getting instruments out. I know that he had a hard time getting communication from him too. He's very laid back and on his own timetable. Definitely got the Hawaiian feel going on. But that's why his instruments are so beautiful. He takes his time. __________________ Mike Black http://www.threebeansalad.net

11-10-2009, 05:59 PM	#30
Steve-o Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 370	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments James and Dan, I'm terribly sorry to hear about your predicament. I guess I didn't understand what was going on when I commented. I hope Mike's anecdote gives you a bit more hope. I've got to see/hear one of these SOS instruments. __________________ Steve Michigan Social Group Poe Mandolins Group

11-10-2009, 06:18 PM	#31
oldwave maker Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: caballo nm Posts: 1,063	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments Its always a humbling experience for this chronic octave crafter to fondle one of Stephens fabulous works of art. Did coloradoan Charlie Hall ever get his back?

11-10-2009, 08:42 PM	#33
sliabhstv Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bloomington, Indiana Posts: 3,504	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments I don't feel at all that I've been a victim of theft. I haven't harassed him, and I trust there will be a good outcome. stv __________________ steve V. johnson http://cdbaby.com/Lopers2 The Lopers - New CD "There Was A Time" Original Acoustic Music http://cdbaby.com/Culchies Culchies - Irish Traditional Music

11-10-2009, 09:11 PM	#34
Bill Van Liere Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 627	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments Like most people in the mandolin world, that I come across and deal with anyway, I consider Stephen a really good guy. He was honest and gracious with me. He was about a half a year late getting me the Octave (in hindsight that seems like not much) but acknowledged that and put a pick guard and some inlay on the neck at no extra charge. It was worth the wait. good luck to those in waiting, glad to here is still building and if you get a chance, say howdy from me. __________________ Bill

11-11-2009, 11:07 PM	#37
Graham McDonald Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 366	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments I can only second Bill Bussman's comment. I have been making these things for close on 30 years and I have had the pleasure of having inspected and played instruments by most of the well respected builders over that period and briefly met Steve at Zoukfest1 back in '98. In terms of conception, design and execution Steve's instruments are so far ahead of what anyone else is doing that it is (in Australian horse racing terminology) Steve out in front, daylight second. He may not live what, even for a musical instrument maker, might be considered a normal lifestyle, but many great artists don't. Pompous statements about suing him are just silly. It seems as if new instruments do turn up, perhaps infrequently, so if he does have a deposit, you should get an instrument eventually. Even if you don't want it when it comes, I would suggest you could perhaps immediately resell it and probably make a dollar or two. If I could justify it to her indoors, I would put an order in for one myself, just for the sheer pleasure of owning a little bit of genius. cheers graham __________________ http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com The Mandolin Project - available now

11-12-2009, 03:51 PM	#38
wsgumby Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments Well Mr. McDonald, you're right. Being an artistic genius gives Mr Smith every right to ignore his customers for years. Superior humans can't be held to the same standards of decency as us lesser folk. W. S. Gumby

11-15-2009, 02:16 PM	#39
Ed Benzedrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland Posts: 7	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments At the risk of sounding intolerant .... where, in any other sphere of life, would a 'customer' put up with being ignored by their supplier ? ... I guess thats where being an 'artisan' of some considerable reverence sets a person aside from the 'Average bear, Yogi'. A wait of 10 years ish, is admirable from a customer, and a 'waiting patiently in silence' stance does indeed say something good about that person... you would, of course be well within the bounds of acceptability to voice a bit of concern, should you wish to. I guess if you want one.. be prepared for a bit of delay and don't look to be kept in the picture !... the instruments themselves do sound like they're worth the wait ! Interesting story !. __________________ Cheers, Ed Albannach, mo dachaigh, mo neo cheangaltas.

11-15-2009, 07:54 PM	#40
Pete Brown Pete Brown Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments My first post here, so I hope I've started out by providing something vaguely useful! I managed to find an archived version of his web site for those of you wishing to view his instruments. The pages seem very slow to load as I assume they're retrieved from the archive as needed. I haven't checked to see that all the links within the site still work, but it's better than nothing. http://web.archive.org/web/200708200...sic.com/steve/ Cheers Pete

11-16-2009, 04:37 PM	#41
sgarrity MAS Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 2,488	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments Now that's what I was after. Those instruments are beautiful!! __________________ Shaun Garrity http://www.youtube.com/user/spgokc78

11-16-2009, 08:07 PM	#42
Steve-o Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 370	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments OMG! Now I see what all the attention to SOS is about - very creative and exquisitely beautiful instruments! His artistry reminds me a little of Brian Dean (Labraid), although very unique in its own right. Thanks for the link Pete. __________________ Steve Michigan Social Group Poe Mandolins Group

11-16-2009, 08:41 PM	#43
hank Henry Lawton Join Date: May 2009 Location: Greenwood, Ar Posts: 286	Re: Stephen Owsley Smith Instruments Did he move to Hawaii or Middle Earth? Those have to be crafted by Elves.