Q & A: Wednesday 1/10, 5PM Eastern - Andrew J. Thomas, Luthier and Creator Of Brian Moss's Guitar: The Raven
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Nerds! We are extremely excited to have Andrew J. Thomas (@andrewthomas) join us on Wednesday, January 10th for a Q & A session. In case you didn't know, Andrew made Brian's custom built guitar which has been lovingly named "Raven." This is your chance to ask Andrew about making guitars, the Raven itself, any of his other work, or what it was like to win Beau of the Electro Funk Ball.
We'll run the Q & A right here in this thread. Andrew will join us at 5PM eastern and be online for about an hour and a half. You can post your questions ahead of time on this thread and he'll answer them when he's with us. This dude's been around a while and seen some cool stuff. I know I've got a bunch of questions at the ready, so jump in and let's make him feel super welcome.
You can check out his website here:
http://thomasmilanaguitars.com/
and you can 'like' his facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/thomasmilanaguitars/ -
@damian ranch or bleu cheese?
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How did the Raven come about? Interested in Andrew's relationship with Brian and how they collaborated on the amazing sounding axe. Did they noodle on design details for days or did Brian provide some general guidance and Andrew ran with it? Why did Brian need the Raven built say vs. sticking with Gibson or a PRS HollowBody? Deetz man, give us the deetz!
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@square_slices said in Q & A: Wednesday 1/10, 5PM Eastern - Andrew J. Thomas, Luthier and Creator Of The Raven:
@damian ranch or bleu cheese?
Ask @andrewthomas
(But for me, ranch)
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@andrewthomas @damian
To Andrew: ranch or bleu cheese?
To Damian: you're disgusting -
How did you get started as a Luthier? I have been very interested for a long time (built a few parts-casters and lots of guitar rewiring) but never a full build. Would you suggest schooling? I previously looked into Roberto-Venn out in Phoenix but couldn't justify the cost after spending so much on an art degree (not to mention loan repayment has me stuck at my current job). Or is this something better learned through apprenticeship?
Love the Raven - such a great tone from that guitar
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@square_slices said in Q & A: Wednesday 1/10, 5PM Eastern - Andrew J. Thomas, Luthier and Creator Of The Raven:
@andrewthomas @damian
To Andrew: ranch or bleu cheese?
To Damian: you're disgustingFair
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I know nothing about crafting an instrument. Can you tell us a little about what goes into creating tone, why you'd choose different woods, etc... How do you know that the instrument is going to "work" and not come out sounding like a $90 Mexican Strat.
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In which pieces of which songs do you hear the Raven and think - OMFG, it doesn't get any better than this?
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@andrewthomas how did the creative process for making the Raven unfold? where did you start, what were your inspirations along the way, any challenges or unexpected events, etc?
Thank you for creating the instrument that has all of our ears glued to its tones!
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I am curious how often you work on the Raven. I did see you doing some touch ups prior to 2016 Halloween LEL show. Excellent Royal Tennenbaums costume btw!
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This is not something that one learns from youtube videos. Sorry if I missed the explanation on your website, but how did you happen to this profession? I noticed you work on a lot of different instruments. Also do you play?
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Donny or Walter? Elaborate point/ counterpoint if you would please. If you are out of your element on this @damien could perhaps help out.
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Those Shoes??? How about them pants??? How did Andrew squeeze all his junk in those white, disco bell bottoms???
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@uconnwes said in Q & A: Wednesday 1/10, 5PM Eastern - Andrew J. Thomas, Luthier and Creator Of The Raven:
How did the Raven come about? Interested in Andrew's relationship with Brian and how they collaborated on the amazing sounding axe. Did they noodle on design details for days or did Brian provide some general guidance and Andrew ran with it? Why did Brian need the Raven built say vs. sticking with Gibson or a PRS HollowBody? Deetz man, give us the deetz!
This was basically my question. I was at the show when Brian received the guitar and I slightly remember it was a gift from his wife. Did Brian know the guitar was being made?
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So, we starting this party?
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Hello all! Thank you @damian for hosting this Q&A. And thank you all for your interest in my work. I hope to answer your questions in the next 90 min or so, and I will do my best to follow up at a later time if needed. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not thankful I met Brian, and that I have the opportunity to work with Spafford and learn from them and help them where I can. I am so grateful for this community that we have created - that we can all come together like we are now and discuss what we love and share in common.
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@uconnwes I'm here. Hello Wes! I'm working on you question right now...
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@RadiantDarkness I will quickly answer your question now and elaborate in my reply to Wes. You are correct. It was a gift from his wife, Nicole. I'm glad you got to see that show! He was very nervous about playing it that night... but he didn't let it show.
Brian and I had been discussing the guitar for about a year before Nicole came up with the idea to surprise him for his birthday.
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@RadiantDarkness And no, he had absolutely no idea.
