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Thread: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

  1. #1
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    It is with great sadness that I bring the news that luthier and Cafe member Paul Hostetter has passed away.

    Paul's well known site www.lutherie.net has helped many of us repair and understand the old tuners used on our most beloved instruments.
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    I never met him in person but he was an active presence here on MC and always ready with deep knowledge of luthiery, instruments and music. Often pleasantly cantankerous but charming nonetheless. RIP.
    Last edited by Jim Garber; Feb-15-2019 at 8:03pm.
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  5. #3
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    We had a few telephone conversations a year and several e-mail exchanges. He really was a wealth of knowledge. I was pleasantly surprised a few years ago when I noticed he was actually playing (along with Robin) on a CD I owned. I'd had it for years and never read the credits.

    https://vimeo.com/94672391
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    I had a few pleasant interactions with him, and his website was invaluable, the fretwire page was my goto for years, I just saved a copy
    Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
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    DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
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  8. #5
    Registered User Ken's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Sad news. I always enjoyed his comments here.
    Peace

  9. #6
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Thanks, Mike, for passing this very sad news along.
    Like Jim, I've never met Pablo in person but we have had many, many back channel conversations about a wide range of topics. I felt privileged to think of him as a friend. He was a great presence here, with a lifelong history of work, music, travels and adventure.
    He looks quite a bit thinner in that photo, Mike, so I wonder if his health had been declining. Haven't spoken with him in awhile.
    He will be sorely missed.
    This is really sad news.
    Mick
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    His family posted his on his Facebook page:

    Rest in Peace Paul Hostetter

    December 2, 1945 - February 13, 2019

    To Paul's friends far and wide: a message from his family, Robin, Kaethe, and Marandi

    Our beloved Paul passed away on Wednesday. Some of you know how long he fought to overcome his cancer. This week, he chose to let go. We invite you to share your remembrances of Paul here, and please know that we cherish hearing from you on this page.

    If and when we plan a celebration for Paul, we will announce it here.

    With love and heavy hearts,

    Robin, Kaethe, and Marandi
    Attachment 174889
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Rest in peace. Always sad to see a long-time member move on. On behalf of the Mandolin Cafe, condolences to his family and friends.

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    Registered User Nick Royal's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    I've know Paul for years, both as a luthier and fine musician. He regretted by
    Gibson A2Z some years ago. In fact, when I "inherited it" he told me what a great mandolin it was before I got to realize that.

    I, along with many here in Santa Cruz, will miss him.

  15. #10
    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    He was a wealth of knowledge and a fixture here for many years. Rest In Peace Paul....

  16. #11
    Registered User Nick Royal's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Let me update my email about Paul Hostetter: he regretted my 2AZ mandolin, and worked on other instruments of
    mine. I also remember his playing with Italian mandolinists here in town.
    Nick Royal

  17. #12

    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    So sorry to hear this news. I only had the pleasure of visiting with Paul a couple of times at the Mandolin Symposium. The last time was with Eric Thompson in attendance. Condolences to family and friends, RIP Paul.

  18. #13

    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Like so many others, Paul advised and kept me on the right track through several projects. He found a good neck for my wife’s 30s L-00. When Paul removed the old neck, he called and told me that tool marks and other evidence showed that he was about to put the 3rd neck in the old Gibson. I made the comment, if that guitar could talk. Paul said, “If that guitar could talk, I would expect it to be grumpy.” Rest In Peace, Paul Hostetter. May God give Robin and family strength through this difficult time.

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  20. #14
    plectrist Ryk Loske's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Many ... many emails and phone conversations with Paul as he worked on my '28 L-5 and afterwards. Always a joy to talk with someone whose sense of humor was much like my own. His site was a treasure trove that generated more of those conversations. Rest in Peace Paul ... and my heartfelt prayers and sympathy to his loved ones.

    Ryk
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    Registered User Russ Donahue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Several times I turned to Paul for advice, which was given freely and with clarity. I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family, friends and the larger community.
    Russ
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  23. #16
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    While I did not know Paul except through his postings here, we have built such a community on the Cafe that I felt I knew him, just as I feel I know many of you who are regulars here. I will miss his postings for the information and wit they contained. His personality came through and he seemed to be a very generous person. I hope his family will find some comfort in the memories of his music.

    Best wishes,

    Bob
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    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    May he Rest in Peace.

    So sorry to hear this news - I always enjoyed what Paul had to say here. Condolences to his family and friends.
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    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Sad to hear of Paul's passing. I, like so many others, enjoyed his posts and wisdom. I loved Paul's avatar. Rest in peace friend.
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

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    Registered User amowry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Oh no, this is terrible news! Paul was a wonderful person and a great asset to the community.

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  28. #20

    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Sorry to hear of his passing and prayers to his family and friends.

  29. #21

    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    RIP Paul, he always seemed to me to be a very kind and knowledgable luthier always ready to share his knowledge with us at the cafe.

    Condolences to Pauls family.

    Dave H
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  30. #22
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Sad to hear about Paul’s passing. I have a resonator mandolin that Paul built. I sent it to Paul a couple of years ago, to get it fixed-up. It was a lot of fun corresponding and talking to Paul; he will be remembered and missed.

  31. #23
    Registered User tree's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    If I saw his name I always read his posts, because I knew they would potentially contain excellent information. I followed his online instructions for rehabbing the tuners on an old oval hole mandolin and they were spot on.

    Prayers for his family and friends, he will be sorely missed here.
    Clark Beavans

  32. #24
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    Certainly sad to hear this. Condolences to his family. I learned a ton of great information from his posts. I really hope somebody finds a way to keep his website up or archive the information. Great stuff! The chart of available fret wire is the only multi brand comprehensive chart that I am aware of.
    Don

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  33. #25
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Luthier Paul Hostetter has passed away

    I am also numbered with the many who enjoyed reading the many threads he contributed to. His insight, well prepared responses, clever comments will be forever missed!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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