Up to Speed
Hello everyone, I’d like to share with you an update of what has been going on at Goodall Guitars since last the first post. First off, the reason for the absence of active posting to this blog since early July is due to the challenge and enormity of the project we have been working on. I’m going to do my best to explain what this project has been like, so that some light can be shed on the reason for our extended downtime from production since late last year.
My Dad and I have been hard at work renovating and designing a workspace that, while around half the size of our previous shop, will continue to provide us with the same ease of workflow that our previous location in Kailua Kona Hawaii had afforded us for the sixteen years that we occupied the space. When I came to work full time with my dad after I graduated high school in 2004, he had already fine tuned the layout of the shop to suit the needs of every operation with tools and benches. All of the jigs and fixtures had their place, every hand tool had a perch or pocket or shelf where it would reside to be at hand when the process needed. It took me a while to realize it, but it was quite elegant the way that every station was laid out with electrical and dust collection pipes and compressor lines in just the right place.
When we left Kona for Fort Bragg, Goodall Guitars as we know it required four completely full forty-foot shipping containers. We found ourselves with a need to abandon work benches, some less required tools, and even some of the lowest grade woods that we had on hand to lighten our load. It was an incredibly monumental challenge to simply pack the containers tightly.
Unloading a Container
The Early Shop
Grinding the Floor
Leveling the Floor
Installing the Flooring
Since the move, my dad and I have been working together to rebuild this new shop to exceed the previous shop, complete with dry wall, painting, electrical, etc. Our new shop is a real blessing, I really appreciate having it, however it certainly did need a lot of work to get to where we are today. Flooring was laid, new rooms required for dehumidification were built, mezzanines were needed for the storage of items used infrequently. The size and shape of this new workspace has required us to entirely re-think the previous, well oiled, implementation of workflow and even work benches had to be rebuilt since we did not have room to ship the old ones. Nearly every workflow and layout has had to be re-imagined and designed to suit our needs due to size and shape differences, it’s like starting all over again and has been a very real challenge.
Insulating the Ceiling
Building the Dehumidification Room
Installing 3-Phase Electricity
This entire move has signaled a shift in the way we are treating our workspace. We know that if we skip over something now, it very likely will not get done at all in the near future, and we want this new shop to be a space that will not only be pleasant to work in, but also something that you, the enthusiast, will enjoy seeing should you visit us someday.
With this in mind, we laid flooring, built workbenches, painted everything to match and be pleasing to the eye, and set aside space to have a gallery showcasing not only our woodcraft but also my father’s passion for photography. This shop has shaped up to be what it could not be in our previous location for various reasons and while it is not quite complete, it is nearing a finish date and we feel we have put together something special for ourselves and for you all.
Coating Workbenches
Our Future Gallery
This entire move and process of rebuilding has definitely been the most difficult task I have ever embarked on, but it is exciting. The promise of completion is so close I feel I can almost touch it and I can’t describe how much I have missed building a Goodall guitar. I have a passion for what my dad has been perfecting for the past thirty-seven years with my mom at the business end and my dad at the artisan end. I look forward to serving you in the future, through our network of dealers, for a very long time. Thanks for stopping by, and keep an eye out for our next update.
Shop Back View
Shop Front View
Congratulations on your monumental move back to Fort Bragg. I can’t wait to hear what you and your father make together. Aren’t you glad I talked you out of going to college?
I’m definitely glad you talked me out of it, yes!
Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this. Will continue to pray.
Thanks for the update. I play your guitar and love it. Glad that things are continuing!
So good to hear what you’ve been up to and the exciting progress you’ve made! We miss you lots, and hope we have the opportunity to visit you and your beautiful new shop/gallery in the future. Your flute is missed during worship. . .
I’m missing Living Stones and think of all my Kona family often. Good to hear from you Mary.
The shop is looking good. I like the gallery idea, I think it’s great that you guys are putting so much time in to making the shop a place that feels good to work in. Keep up the good hard work. Love the Vento’s.
Thanks Fred! I really wasn’t sure we were going to have the space for the gallery but now that it’s done I can’t see it any other way. Miss you and your family bro.
The Goodall family will never cease to amaze me. You guys are an inspiration. I’ll always be proud of my association with Goodall Guitars.I can’t wait to see the guitars from the new shop. Andrea and I send our love and very best wishes to you all.
Larry
Congratulations on your move back to California ! There’s no place like home.
I love the look of your new place and wish you great success in your new venture. Keep those fine axes coming …
My brother is living in Koh Samui, Thailand and I have had the use of his Goodall for some time now. I’m afraid I’ll have to have one of my own soon.
You make BEAUTIFUL stuff. Thanks for doing it.
Carry On,
/ Frank
I have the Goodall of my dreams and wish you the best as you continue to fulfill the dreams of others in your new location.
You guys make amazing guitars. I wish you the best at your new location…exciting!
Good Morning,
I’m about to purchase a used Goodall Guitar, my first Goodall, I’m so exited. Do you have the ability to check serial #RCJC-3940?
Hi Bruce, it would be best to send an email to jean@goodallguitars.com so that she can reply to you via your address. She has all of the records available for lookup.