Letters

Hi Harry,
This is marvelous !! You've done such a great job and I am indeed very grateful for the skillful workmanship you put into repairing my precious Gurian. The neck is magnificent. I cannot see any signs of the initial damage of the soundboard. I am so happy that you accepted to take care of my instrument. You surely are a very gifted man.

There was nobody and no place else to accomplish this superior work than you.
I would also like you to know that I am fully aware that your fees are well under what's practice in the U.S. Please let me thank you again for taking in my battered
instrument and make it whole again. I had a lot of pleasure looking at those pictures and watch the Gurian come back to life again, more beautiful than ever before and with your improvements also a better instrument.

The concert was great. I mean, people were happy, and this is the most rewarding part. The Martin D-16 could not stand up against the Gurian and spent the evening waiting to get a chance in case.

My regards also to William Cumpiano, without whom all this would never have taken place. My first phone call to the workshop was with him. His positive response and warmth and acceptance were such a relief. With all due respects,you both nurture the spirit of art and true companionship. All the best and stay well, Rolf Hug, Switzerland

Here is an recording of this wonderful singer /songwriter playing his restored Gurian and singing with his daughter. Hear more from Clementine : myspace.com/clemjazz

Dear Mr. Becker,
I received the cuatro on Monday.As to the work you did on my instrument,
you are truly worth your weight in gold as a luthier. It’s exactly what I wanted.
Thankyou for a job extremely well done.
Sincerely, Alvin Medina

Hear this gifted virtuoso play Bach on the cuatro: www.alvinmedina.com

H'lo Harry..
I can't tell you how pleased I am with your repair work. I would not have thought it possible to repair that tear so cleanly without refinishing, nor plane out the fretboard to perfection. And the new bridge is perfect too. And it sounds simply wonderful to me! I played it the day it arrived until my fingers were too sore to play anymore. It was just a delight to play!  Sincerely,David Dressler

Harry
I much belated thanks - but THANKS The repair you did on my size Brazilian Gurian was incredible. Its better than new! You have won a devoted fan. David Casey

Dear Harry: You are a Master! My guitar arrived yesterday - just 2 days from Northampton -in perfect shape. The work on the frets and action accomplished just what I wanted. I played it for several hours last night and ,,, no buzz! Your re-fret job is beautiful - no scratches or rough spots, smooth and polished better than the original from the Martin factory. Thanks for the excellent work! Best, Gerry Davis

Hello Harry ,
I have been playing the guitar for about a hour ....feels real nice !A real pleasure to play without all that buzzing going on . WOW what a differance ! Now I know why Andrew Lawrence speaks so highly of your work. I'm very happy with the results of your fine work .
Thomas Cotter

Hi Harry! Thanks for taking the time to do it right. Steve Dudziak

Hi Lester, (letter to Luthier Lester Devoe) I left my guitar with Harry Becker on Sunday and got it back on Thursday, 2/24/05. He did an excellent job. He repaired a crack that wrapped around the heel of the guitar and he also straightened a bent tuning peg. He took time to explain to me exactly what he was going to do. When the work was done he also gave me the details on the work he did. He put extra effort into repairing the tuning peg so I would not have to replace the whole set. It was a pleasure to meet Harry. He was very generous with his time and his charge for the repair was very reasonable.
Regards,Tim Cuff

Hi Harry,
Thanks for your time and expertise in setting up the Martin 000-15 for Slide and Fingerstyle playing. Outstanding work on the nut, saddle, bridge pins and the guitar's action. I am really enjoying this guitar now! The guitar is so much more versatile. Thanks again brother....Jim

Harry, thanks for the restringing tip. How many strings have I changed on my guitars over the years without doing this or even considering the issue? The mind boggles. Maybe you should compile some of these basic (and revelatory) ideas about the guitar for me and my fellow dummies? I see the old school teacher in you rearing its beautiful head! Take care, Alan

Hi Harry  Great to meet you last week and get the unexpurgated version of your life and times. A long and winding road as they say.... I put my guitar to work over the weekend - for me that is the true test, not strumming around in the kitchen. I was very pleased. Intonation problems have disappeared even with a capo and the instrument was amenable to tuning even in difficult situations - we went from cool, dark backstage into hot, blinding sunlight in one instance. The action is sweet and I had that heady illusion of improving my technique when, in fact, it was the adjustments to the instrument. Whatever it takes! At any rate, thanks for the good work (and the tutorial which made me sound like a guitar genius to my puzzled bandmates as I expounded confidently on guitar physics) and I'll certainly be in contact if the fret wear becomes an issue down the road. Or maybe, if I'm passing through sometime soon I'll give you a buzz and we can discuss the Big Picture? Beers are on me. Thanks again,, Alan

Hi Harry, Hope all is well with you. It certainly is with me. I simply don't have the words to describe how I feel about the work you did on my guitar, so in one word I'll say AMAZING!! I absolutely love it. It sounds incredible. The setup it perfect and your attention to detail is second to none. Thank you very much. It's hard to believe how you transformed my work into this. Just amazing!
I was extremely happy when I finished the build with William and now you have completed my experience. It was well worth the wait and I'm already making plans to come back and do it again when William resumes his instruction. Please give my regards to William, as well as my sincerest thank you to you both. You made my weekend. Thank you again, sincerely, John

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