RIP Melvyn Hiscock

[BassToGoGo]

We have lost an amazing member of the instrument building community.

Melvyn Hiscock lost (won) his battle with cancer yesterday. Though I never got the chance to mee him in person I feel as though I've know him for years, first and most importantly through his book "Make your own electric guitar"

It was one of the first lutherie books that I purchased long ago and unlike the other books I acquired from Don Teeter, Irving Sloan and Roger Siminoff (among others) Melvyn chose to write from a humorous perspective that made me feel like I could possibly build a guitar as well.

Honestly the other author's books that I mentioned were far more educational and informative, at the same time the early me found them to be somewhat intimidating while Melvyn's writing style made me feel like if he can do it so can I (I mean that as a very high compliment). The fact that one of the three builds that he discusses in the book was a neck through 8 string bass certainly didn't hurt.

Years later I connected with him on social media and discovered that we shared a love for avation history (which he also wrote books on). I found him to be as homorous in real life as he was in his writings. He struck me as a man that truly enjoyed life.

This was posted on his Facebook page yesterday morning. It sums up the Man perfectly...

A class act to the end. Godspeed Brother.

 

[dwizum]

Thank you for sharing. I started my instrument building journey with his book 20ish years ago and still recommend it to people all the time. Such a great writing style, he made complicated things seem straightforward.

 

[nixdad]

 

[Beej]

I wore out my first copy of his book decades ago and ended up getting a second one, which remains nearly untouched as the first one was practically committed to memory. I second that one of his greatest assets was the ability to make things look doable for everyone. I had done an acoustic guitar building course around the time someone gave me his first book as a gift, and I found the book to be as informative if not moreso than the course. His accessible way of explaining things and highlighting the important details made it nearly like a simple how-to. I've probably recommended that book over a hundred times over the years. RIP Melvyn, your name, though hilarious ( ), will go down in history as belonging to a gentleman and a scholar.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

He’ll be missed. I have a copy of his book as well, probably from the late 80’s or early 90’s, one of the few building books available then. I still reference sections of it regularly.


Ok, I had to go check. Got the date wrong, second edition copyright 1998. Still, one of the first guitar building books I purchased and the first one I got focused on electric instruments instead of acoustics.

 

[Freekmagnet]

Wow, that’s too bad. Melvyn Hiscock was a really good guy. I couldn’t find a copy of his book for less than $200, so I emailed him directly. He sold me a copy for the cover price and sent it in the mail. We had pretty hilarious correspondence.

 

[Dean N]

He certainly inspired a lot of builders. RIP.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Oh man, sorry to hear that. I never communicated with Melvyn directly, but yes his book was a major influence on me becoming a Luthier. I believe I bought my copy around 1990, and read every page many times. In those pre-internet days, his book was my biggest single source of information and inspiration on building instruments.

As the other guys have mentioned, his book was great not just because it covered so much detail, but because of his attitude. He showed that it was fun to dive in and solve all the little problems. The process of figuring out the difficult parts was, itself, the biggest enjoyment of building a guitar. He was a solo engineer at heart.

RIP, Melvyn. You got a lot of us going.

 

[GMC]

I’m very sad with this news. He was a massive influence on me too.

 

[wraub]

RIP

 

[GMC]

Just to add, that my web bass build diary (I've been reliably told that I was the first) was influenced by the photos, direction and instruction in Melvyn's book. I have every edition of his book (I hope the last edition still makes it to press) and it's been a massive influence on me. It's a seminal work for sure. When I read his book for the first time it made me believe that I could do this...with no wood work experience. Out from this book grew www.GMCBasses.co.uk and 8 basses with their respective build journals that I've built over the last 20 years. While others have jumped into bass making / lutherie full time...for me, it's always been a semi pro activity. It provoked me to set up and furnish my own wood workshop. Which for me is a major consideration when ever I move house / location.
The book was written in an age before digital cameras...so all the images were photographed on film, before photoshop even existed. It was written before mobile phones were common. The web was a far far smaller and geekier place, flash hadn't been invented. It was all HTML. Most of the UK supplier's lists in the appendix aren't in business anymore, sadly. Greats like craft supplies (not their tone wood section).
So it's very sad to hear the Melvyn has passed away. I raise a cheer and a toast to you Mel...you have changed my life and introduced me to the joy of bass making!

 

[Root 5]

I’m saddened to hear this news. I have owned his book for longer than I can remember and feel like I lost a friend.

 

[Lonnybass]

Wow...I even remember how the bass featured in his book featured some "nice exotic woods...English Walnut" if I remember correctly. I think I was probably about 18 or 19 when I read the book.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I've never made my own instrument but I used his book as reference for looking after my guitars and basses for many years. RIP.

 

[Passinwind]

I was very fortunate to have been able to hang out with Melvyn on a few occasions, the last of which being just a couple of years ago when he was well into his bout with cancer and did a huge crazy whirlwind bucket list tour of the US. He and his wife posted some very inspiring stuff throughout their ordeal, and I'll certainly always treasure my hand signed copy of MYOEG.

Rock on my friend.

 

[Jazz Ad]

At some point, he and Craig Anderton were the only ressources available for the practising guitar modder.

 

[FBB Custom]

I want to say I first read his book in 1996. It was just about the only thing out there for aspiring builders and it got me up off the couch and gluing up body blanks on the kitchen table. It remains a great book on the subject. And the best way to make a small fortune making guitars remains starting with a large one. RIP Melvyn.

 

[Beej]

The 3rd edition is finally available and a great chance to support his legacy.

Melvyn Hiscock

 

[byacey]

I don't know which edition I have, but I used it as a reference when I built my first bass in 1988. Ditto on Melvyn's writing style, entertaining and informative. Cheers, & RIP.