Gilbert has touched the most important aspect to any craftsman/artist is that they're only as good as their customers. In the next month I'll be making the leap to framebuilding, but in no was as a "day job" because I don't want to have to take commissions that I don't want to build. My specialty will be in Rough-stuff and touring bikes, but my first commission is for a kilo track bike. I know the customer and I know what he wants and I like the project. I'm becoming a framebuilder not to make money, but because I've wanted to be one since I was 12 years old. Different builders use different methods the "weed out" the type of customers they don't want, but by not looking at it as a living I can refuse anything I don't feel comfortable about. Luckily, few builders I know ever build anything with their name on it they would rather not have, because they know they're only as good as the customer you're building for. enjoy, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives
"Nobody can do everything, but if everybody did something everything would get done." Gil Scott-Heron
On Wed, 23 May 2001 CYCLESTORE@aol.com wrote:
> A thing to remember,
>
> The best work from custom work shops is commissioned by the buyer, not the
> builder. I would guess David Bohm and Richard Sachs best work came from their
> best customer (if you can define that) that was willing and able to pay for
> it.
>
> It's hard o spend days and days filing lugs if you have to donate the effort
> to the old racers home when you were making less than minimum wage before you
> started.
>
> My 2 cents will by you a cup of coffee in Afghanistan, I'll be the guy
> sitting there wearing the patch on his shirt for easy recognition.
>
> Gilbert Anderson in cool and sunny Raleigh NC
>
>
> In a message dated 5/23/01 3:26:53 PM, OROBOYZ@aol.com writes:
>
> << In a message dated 5/23/01 10:24:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> velopista@hotmail.com writes:
>
> << Who is a better builder ... Ron Cooper or Mario Confente? >>
>
> Hey gals & guys:
>
> I am really liking this nice relatively quiet period with no one showing
> their anti-social behavior. Although I know all this is tongue-in-cheek,
> fighting is not what this whole deal is about and I hasten to remind you all
> it takes very little (and no particular genius) to really get folks upset...
>
> So relax and enjoy!
>
> Re: who is the best builder.. Truth is all these famous guys have probably
> had a bad day and an inspired day. It really is like saying what person is
> the most beautiful.. It's a lot in the eye of the beholder and the constant
> fretting over THE BEST causes some fine other people/bikes to get overlooked
> in the process.. Plus people constantly blowing off that their favorite
> bike/builder is better than the others is at least boring and tiresome! Give
> it a rest!
>
> Diversity is what is most fun and interesting!!
>
> Dale Brown
> Greensboro, North Carolina >>