| Feelin' low. But that's got nothin' to do with it.
Sign in to disble this ad
Well hello! My name is Paul Rhoney, I live in Portland Oregon. I build guitars and I have some designs (and someday hope to get around to building) for some short-scale six-string basses. I'd heard that my name got dropped here, so I decided to stop by and say hi.
Quite a number of things have happened to me recently that have prompted me to make a lot of changes in my life. And since a lot of it has to do with my guitar-making business, I thought it appropriate to play a little "damage control."
Hmm. So. How do I explain this?
Well, long story short, I started making guitars and very early on, I was getting asked to make my designs for other people. Coming from some strong customer service background, I couldn't say no. So for better or worse, I opened myself up, registered a business name, launched a website and acted like I was a full-blown guitar manufacturer. Sort of. I've always been honest. I've always told the truth. My customers have always known exactly what to expect. As for the truth and what to expect, it went something like this.
I didn't have a whole lot of experience building guitars, so for that matter, I was still learning. I feel like I have come to a point now, where I can build a very fine instrument in an efficient manner. But I had no business having a business. I put myself out there and now I have to take myself back.
The truth (and this has never been a secret to my customers) is that I was working out of a friend's garage. The place was a mess, but it was all the space I had. At first, he was supportive. He helped me cut holes for exhaust fans in the back room to do finishing. But one thing led to another and he grew weary of our arrangement. Alas, it has fully diminished, leaving me with no place to use a router, let alone spray lacquer, or just about anything else. I live in an apartment with my fiancé and our 16-month-old daughter.
My spirit is still intact. I'm not going to quit making guitars (and short-scale six-string basses), but I am taking a break. Until I can get my family into a better place financially and myself into my own independent and reliable workshop.
That's it I suppose. I guess you guys might be wondering what any of this has to do with basses. Nothing really, unless you count the white Jazz Bass knobs that I make. Maybe with this time off, I can catch up on those orders. But for those of you who are curious, Small Bear now sells knobs almost exactly like the ones I make anyway.
Oh, and I am the proud owner of a 2006 Fender Custom Shop Bass VI. And I love it!!! | 
