Tecolote Guitar Works

It came as quite a surprise but I just realized that Tecolote Guitar Works has completed its second year.  Here we go to Year Three.   I like the sound of that.

Highlights of ‘09 (aside from still being in business) are first and foremost the steady influx of new customers who have become repeat customers.

It seems that people like the idea of an unmatched level of personal service.  I take as much time as necessary to make sure the right approach is chosen on all jobs and it’s obvious that many customers have never received that level of care on their repair and modification projects.

The two Jack Straw/TGW shop built guitars have been well received and add a new dimension to our offerings.   We will be building a couple of new electric guitars soon.

Another high spot in the year was the arrival of our new pal and TGW mascot, Ripley.   Rip is a splendid young English Bull Terrier who looks forward to meeting you.

Lowlights?  Yes, there have been a few.   The TGW website and all my blog entries were completely destroyed by a malicious hacker.  Tony, my 13 year old Bull Terrier passed on.  Yours truly was slandered on the internationally viewed website of a certain self-appointed genius of the guitar business from North County.  Ask me and I’ll be happy to tell you all about him and his business practices.

Another sad note was the closing of Kevin Kinnear’s  Epic Guitars in Carlsbad.   After working with Kevin for several years I have no doubt that if anyone could have bucked the recession and got a new shop off the ground it would have been him.   Unfortunately there were just too many factors lined up against Epic including a certain amount of obstruction from those threatened by competition.    All of us who know Kevin wish him the best and hope he can stay in the guitar business.

We’re looking forward to 2010 but we really want to thank all of you for making 2009 a great year that has given us a lot to build on.

In particular we want the following individuals to know how valuable their friendship and support has been.   Joshua Blatchley, Dr. John Dodge, Bill Fiedler, R.J. Flood, Kevin Kinnear, Charlie Loach, Erin Matthews, Fred Marotta and the crew at the Zone, Jeannie Needham, Michael Oletta, Wayne Riker, Wil Rule,  Joe Selveen, John Warner, and John Zucca.    You’re the best.