Stupid excesses

Turnaround

Turnaround

Commercial User
May 6, 2004
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Toronto Canada
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Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
#1
This hardly deserves a thread, but it came up in a conversation today. Couldn't resist sharing it.

Some time ago I was working on an old instrument that needed some finish touch up. The original finish was something often referred to as spirit varnish, effectively shellac. I had run out of the usual alcohol I use to make the shellac finish. I only needed about a teaspoon of finish for the touchup, and I was too lazy to go out and get some more alcohol. So I used something I had nearby - a 20-year-old Scotch. I told the owner about it and he was thrilled that his old instrument was repaired using Scotch - it made it all the more special.

There have been a few occasions like this where I have used something that has added a "special-ness". Like using a small piece of 250 year-old Cuban mahogany in the button of a double bass, or a piece of Sterling silver replacing a small inlay that was originally nickel.

None of these excesses was necessary. All brought a level of delight to the customer that made it special for both of us.
 
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#5
Turnaround said:
...I used something I had nearby - a 20-year-old Scotch. I told the owner about it and he was thrilled that his old instrument was repaired using Scotch - it made it all the more special.
There have been a few occasions like this where I have used something that has added a "special-ness". Like using a small piece of 250 year-old Cuban mahogany in the button of a double bass, or a piece of Sterling silver replacing a small inlay that was originally nickel. None of these excesses was necessary. All brought a level of delight to the customer that made it special for both of us.
Click to expand...
perfect! :thumbsup: and very cool for the owners of those instruments!
 
#6
Turnaround said:
This hardly deserves a thread, but it came up in a conversation today. Couldn't resist sharing it.

Some time ago I was working on an old instrument that needed some finish touch up. The original finish was something often referred to as spirit varnish, effectively shellac. I had run out of the usual alcohol I use to make the shellac finish. I only needed about a teaspoon of finish for the touchup, and I was too lazy to go out and get some more alcohol. So I used something I had nearby - a 20-year-old Scotch. I told the owner about it and he was thrilled that his old instrument was repaired using Scotch - it made it all the more special.

There have been a few occasions like this where I have used something that has added a "special-ness". Like using a small piece of 250 year-old Cuban mahogany in the button of a double bass, or a piece of Sterling silver replacing a small inlay that was originally nickel.

None of these excesses was necessary. All brought a level of delight to the customer that made it special for both of us.
Click to expand...
Like any self-respecting Kentucky Colonel I'm a bourbon guy:D, but why not?:thumbsup:
 
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