RIP Frank Ford

[MikeEdgerton]

Gryphon Stringed Instruments has announced that Frank Ford passed away this afternoon.

https://www.facebook.com/gryphonstrings

[Luna Pick]

One of the kindest, wittiest, talented and finest humans to walk the planet, and a legend in the music community. You left people and their musical instruments better for knowing you. Rest easy Frank.

[Fretbear]

Helped me through so many squeaks with his excellent Web Pages; RIP

[Billy Packard]

Frank was a man with an encyclopedic knowledge of guitars and such that surpassed experts and mere mortals. His luthier skills are likely unmatched by any other, alive or passed on. He was a guy with a sense of humor that would turn on a dime when faced by a poser or idiot. He was an easy going guy with a passion that raised the luthier's work to a high art. Our world is diminished with his passing...����

[Style 20]

Frank was delightful to speak with, a fountain of knowledge regarding the old mandolins that I brought to him for repair, and he and his great staff took wonderful care of them. As Luna Pick said above "You left people and their musical instruments better for knowing you." Thank you, Frank; RIP

[Jill McAuley]

So sorry to hear this, he did wonderful work restoring an old Vega Style M tenor banjo I had many years ago. May he Rest in Peace.

[Mandolin Cafe]

One of the great gentlemen of the stringed instrument world. Rest in peace, Frank.

[ColdBeerGoCubs]

An insanely kind soul and a wealth of knowledge the likes of which we may never see again. RIP, Frank.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Frank did a wonderful service to the lutherie world thru frets.com, as well as his teaching and willingness to share his knowledge. Whether you were looking for information on guitar neck sets, French polishing, glue selection, or sharpening your potato peeler, Frank had the answers. He was to the luthier world what Sheldon Brown was to the cycling world. There will never be another Frank. Rest easy Frank.

[Bob Buckingham]

HIs website was a godsend. May he find eternal peace.

[Don Grieser]

What a loss. RIP Frank.

[tree]

Frets.com helped me understand much about not only stringed instruments, but problem-solving in general. He was generous with his time and expertise, and I will treasure the one "Frank's Crank" I have and think of him whenever I use it.

[Skip Kelley]

So sad. Prayers for his family. What a loss for the instrument world. RIP Frank.

[Joe Mendel]

I only spoke with Frank on the phone a few times. I can't say I knew him well, but he was kind, funny and very helpful with several repairs that were at the time quite a stretch for me. One was big repairs on an old Gibson harp guitar. When Martin came out with their "Formica" guitars and I had one in with a smashed edge, Frank suggested going to Lowe's and getting several counter top samples, finding what matched well, and using those for patches, "after all they are disposable guitars.". Genius! I hope Frets.com will stay online, there is an encyclopedia of great info there. RIP Mr. Ford!

[EdHanrahan]

Several years ago, while driving I-80 and listening to "The Car Guys" on NPR, a call-in identifies himself as Frank Ford from Palo Alto, CA. Yep, one and the same! A bunch of us here were tuned in and commented.

Hope his website, a huge resourse for the community, is available for a good long while. Thank you, Frank; we'll miss you.

[Lucas]

I've only had the pleasure of speaking to Frank once when I visited his legendary shop. He will be missed. I send my prayers and condolences to this family.

[Ward Elliott]

I never got the chance to meet him or even talk to him on the phone, but I’ve visited FRETS.com many times and learned some invaluable lessons from Frank Ford. He was an inspiration, thank you Frank!

[20MartinA]

I'll miss his wit and knowledge, both online and in person. He pretty much invented current restoration practices.

There are two mandolins here because of Gryphon, and several more instruments repaired of expertly set up. It's all due to Frank, and Richard.

[tuhker]

Loved this guy; so intelligent, friendly, and funny. I had the pleasure of working with him to oversee some work on my A4 and he shared the history of the old Gibson's as only he could do. It was really great to see him active in the shop so near the end end even if he couldn't work or play due to arthritis. I feel so lucky to have had Frank and Paul Hostetler work on my instruments. Rest in peace Frank and say hey to Paul if you come across him.

[Dave Cohen]

Just now saw this, and missing Frank already. Frank donated a great deal of hhis time and expertise to his presentations at numerous GAL conventions, where he will be especially missed. He was not at the convention this July, which was unusual. So sad and sorry to hear this.

[j. condino]

Djammin' with Django and Miles and Bill and Tony and Lloyd tonight.

Rest in peace Frank, I always enjoyed our interactions and laughter.

[Timbofood]

Never met the man but, heard plenty of fabulous stories about him.
Rest in peace Frank.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

One of my favorite Frank quotes.... He often said when he sold a brand new instrument to someone "It'll never look better and it'll never sound worse.". I've used that one several times.
If you've not heard it, listen to the Luthier on Luthier podcast with Frank. It's one of the best podcasts I've ever listened to.

[Jim Roberts]

“He was to the luthier world what Sheldon Brown was to the cycling world.”

Now that is a lovely and powerful compliment, Lynn.

[Marcus CA]

One of my favorite Frank quotes.... He often said when he sold a brand new instrument to someone "It'll never look better and it'll never sound worse.". I've used that one several times.
If you've not heard it, listen to the Luthier on Luthier podcast with Frank. It's one of the best podcasts I've ever listened to.

Agreed! If you subscribe to that podcast, it's Episode 47. If you don't, here's the link: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/pod...er-frank-ford/

I'll second all of the comments that the earlier posters have written, and I also want to add that part of Frank's legacy is the tremendous repair staff at Gryphon that he has left behind for us who live in the area. I've had several of them work on instruments for me in the last few years, and they're all first-class luthiers and first-class people.