Professional-Experienced-Dependable

• Let's start with my favorite songwriter and all around cool guy!  Tom Waits -  http://www.tomwaitslibrary.com/  Don't bother with the "official site"  There are a million fan sites.  The site I provided the link for is a decent place to start for the uninitiated. 
• "the large print giveth and the small print taketh away",Tom Waits from the song "Step Right Up" on the Album Small Change

• High on the list of people I admire is a man who showed a ton of patience and understanding when i was a budding luthier.  None other than Frank Ford.  He not only helped me embark on a career where i could make a whopping $5.00 and hour, but he has inspired countless others to do the same. What the uninitiated are unaware of is that there are a ridiculous amount of non billable hours that go into shop setup, maintenance and so forth.  You also, have the glorious task of researching tools, then of course purchasing them at a decent price and dialing them in to a very fine degree and/or modifying the stock tool, to coax it into bending to your will so it will do something that was never intended.  But, i digress.  I apologize for the detour.  Now onto our previously scheduled programming.  
• Frets.com is a remarkable body of work.  In the circles I hang with it is legendary and has an almost mystical quality.  In the olden days, if you had a perplexing question you would have to endure a long pilgrimage through inhospitable environs for the opportunity to ask an Oracle a question.  Lucky for us, it's just a matter of typing a URL into a browser and hit enter.  Frank's site is used by even the most seasoned veterans as a reference guide.  To call it comprehensive would be an understatement.  We could begin the discussion there.  Whether you are repairing, building or buying, it is an absolute must.  If you educate yourself it will yield huge dividends! It should be a prerequisite, for any budding luthier's who are interested in taking apart Grandpa's old Martin! Here is the properly formatted URL:  http://www.frets.com/  I give you this warning, set a timer and leave a bread crumb trail.  If you are like me, you can get lost for days in this site!!!
• Of course i can't leave out Gryphon Stringed Instruments.  This is the awesome shop i called home for eleven years.  Besides for playing guitar and breathing, I've never done anything for that long.  It's a great group of folks to work with.  It was a privilege.  Quickly approaching Forty, I decided it was time for a change and to strike out on my own. It remains to be seen whether that was a prudent choice or not. Time will tell. Working at Gryphon was a wonderful experience.  I continue to pick Frank's brain about anything and everything from hide glue, to the best place to go for Vietnamese Pho Soup in downtown Mountain View. Do check out frets.com and  http://www.gryphonstrings.com/ you will not regret it.
• 7 x 7 Magazine was crazy enough to profile ME!  Can you believe it???  It was actually published in the May '08 issue. In the print edition, the editors chose a more dignified photo.  Thank God!  Well, really the only reason they profiled me is because I am fortunate enough to own not one, but two Michihiro Matsuda Guitars.  Luckily, I commissioned Michihiro while I could still afford his instruments! His stock has risen quite a bit in the last few years. The secret is out. Better get on the waiting list soon, before he stops taking orders. Get 'em while there hot! Here's the link: http://www.7x7sf.com/people/profiles/18157254.html
• Here's a band that I pretty much HAVE to see when they come through town.  There has to be something really important happening for me to miss them.  Now, without further ado, Hank III.  This is the grandson of the original country music superstar, Hank Williams.  Obviously times have changed.  Some would argue that it has not been for the better.  There certainly a lot of us seeking out the holy grail of what ever instrument were looking for.  More often than not it's some battered weary old thing that needs some serious TLC!  This is a good thing because it keeps food on the table for me.  Seriously though, there are very few manufacturers who care enough to make a very fine instrument capable of rivaling the esteemed instruments of yesteryear.
• My good friend Matt Nathanson has been on tour more over the last few years than he has been at home.  His high energy and humanness come through loud and clear, even to the folks out in Jumbo-Tron land.  He has now made several appearances on the late night TV show circuit.  It may not be a big deal to a seasoned performer like Matt, but I still kinda trip when I see him on the tube.  Especially because I know he's playing guitars that I put lots of love into.  I need to show them extra attention because of his rigorous tour schedule and aggressive playing style.  Enough of my blathering.  Check Matt Nathanson out!  When you pick up a few of his records or see him live, know that you are supporting an independent artist and really good guy.   http://www.mattnathanson.com
• When i'm not out on the coast fixing guitars and drinking Chai and discussing the meaning of life at Raman's Gourmet Coffee and Chai, you can typically find me here:  http://www.whiskeyhillstudios.com  
• Another spot I'm rather fond of is my local Ace Hardware.  The Oceanside Ace in Half Moon Bay is a one of a kind treat!  They stock some pretty bizarre items.  I have and sometimes continue to wander the aisles for hours.  The friendly staff checks on me every once in a while to make sure i'm not too overwhelmed with their choices in sandpaper, fasteners or Carhardtt Clothes.  I can get art supplies, shop for jeans, shirts really good hiking and working man's socks as well as anything home-improvement related.  I've become very fond of the sometimes gruff but very knowledgeable and friendly, once you ge to know them staff.  If you are out on the coast, check them out.  You will not be disappointed! 
• The Bartron Tyler Group has been a San Francisco Bay Area force to be reckoned with for over two decades.  Considering how emotional and fickle we musicians can be, that is monumental in my book!  Mike Tyler and John Bartron have been tearin' it up on their guitars, inspiring one another to go beyond the roads they already traveled.  The resulting music is often breath taking as they fly in the air like trapeze artists! You'll most assuredly understand what I mean by that when listening to their excellent CDs. If you get to see them live, go for it! All four of them (Joey Fabian on Bass and John Hasty on Percussion) are terrific musicians, without the ego and attitude. If you brave the crowd to talk with them after a show, they'll be genuinely glad you did.