I really want to make a lowbow in the future at some point.........anything I should know?

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oooh boy . . . you hit kind of a sore spot, here Jerry. Johnny Lowebow is a bit sensitive about other folks building what he considers his proprietary design. I'm afraid you're not likely to get a whole bunch of support or guidance on this one.

Not intended to discourage - or as a judgment on my part - just a tip-off based upon past experience.
My bad, I guess I thought it was one of those things that everyone was trying.
Lenny, While I completely agree with what you are saying (not arguing with you that is), his designs are not completely original.
Mac Arnold built a gas can guitar in the same fashion in the 50s and still uses it today. I believe that would be like trying to "copyright" something that might not be completely his -- unless there is a specific method in which he builds them or a wiring or construction method he uses.

Knotlenny said:
oooh boy . . . you hit kind of a sore spot, here Jerry. Johnny Lowebow is a bit sensitive about other folks building what he considers his proprietary design. I'm afraid you're not likely to get a whole bunch of support or guidance on this one.

Not intended to discourage - or as a judgment on my part - just a tip-off based upon past experience.
Jerry,

One of the big rolls that made the old forum a pain was about JLowe, his idea that an unpatented design could not and should not be "copied". I said then and I say now, the ultimate of the "no rules" ethic is do what you want. If you want to build it, then build it. There is a considerable "black science" in a lowbow's design and I don't know that any one could build one without having one to reverse engineer. John Lowe is a truly unique talent. Any attempt to build a LowBow might be like trying to Xerox the Mona Lisa....

Still, a Mona Lisa, hand drawn with crayons could still an interesting work of art.

Let us know you come up with.

th best,

Wichita Sam


Jerryrig240 said:
My bad, I guess I thought it was one of those things that everyone was trying.
Could very well be . . . . just thought I'd warn the unsuspecting about a possible shit-storm. I've lived through this one before. He-he.
Lenny,

Not wishing for a storm of any kind. I prefer sunny skys. JohnLowe is a unique talent. The LowBow is a unique instrument. The bigger problem with trying to buid a LowBow isn't the storm, but getting it right. If the originator doesn't want to help someone with tips (and that is certainly his "right"), then I think the chance of building a creditable instrument is pretty low.

Still, if anyone wants to try.... "no rules"......

the best,

Sam

Knotlenny said:
Could very well be . . . . just thought I'd warn the unsuspecting about a possible shit-storm. I've lived through this one before. He-he.
HAAAA, the only thing that has in common with a " lowebowe" is the 2 sticks are wood.
Wes Yates said:
Lenny,


While I completely agree with what you are saying (not arguing with you that is), his designs are not completely original. Mac Arnold built a gas can guitar in the same fashion in the 50s and still uses it today. I believe that would be like trying to "copyright" something that might not be completely his -- unless there is a specific method in which he builds them or a wiring or construction method he uses.



Knotlenny said:
oooh boy . . . you hit kind of a sore spot, here Jerry. Johnny Lowebow is a bit sensitive about other folks building what he considers his proprietary design. I'm afraid you're not likely to get a whole bunch of support or guidance on this one.

Not intended to discourage - or as a judgment on my part - just a tip-off based upon past experience.
Wes, Thanks for the Mac Arnold link . . . . I hadn't been aware of him. There's actually a great recording on that site of him telling the story of his brother building a gas can guitar in 1947!

It's worth a listen.

http://www.macarnold.com/music.html
select the mp3 that is entitled: "Gas Can Story".

Great stuff!
:-)

Coolest thing is, this guy lives about 20 minutes from me (tho I only see him at his shows. Don't know him personally). This guy is the real deal. Played with Hooker, BB, Otis Span... Dude is cool to in concert. The photo above was when he played at out 4th of July downtown concert. Whatta show.

-Wes

Knotlenny said:
Wes, Thanks for the Mac Arnold link . . . . I hadn't been aware of him. There's actually a great recording on that site of him telling the story of his brother building a gas can guitar in 1947!
It's worth a listen.
http://www.macarnold.com/music.html
select the mp3 that is entitled: "Gas Can Story".

Great stuff!
You know what I think makes this CBG thing so damn cool, Its open and free. By that I liken it to Open Source software development. I'm big into Open Source and its multi-layered meanings, one of which is you can take ideas and concepts and expand on them. Build something new and even use that knowledge for, dare I say it... commercial gain! Coolness at its greatest.

I work with Linux (the Open Source poster child). I have built a specialized Linux distribution -- for a commercial purpose! I did this using prior ideas and solutions as well as those of my own. So damn cool to have that freedom. The similarities of building CBGs and Open Source is that it's all out there. Ideas. Exchanges of knowledge. Concepts and methods, some can be kept secret if needed, but hey, its all open to be used right? And those that want to keep "a little mystery" can do so too. So damn cool to have that freedom.

You know we say no rules and tho I mess around say there are two, there really are no rules. So damn cool to have that freedom.
Lenny,

Thanks for the link.... it is a treasure mine... it's now on my "fav" menu...

the best,

Sam

Knotlenny said:
Wes, Thanks for the Mac Arnold link . . . . I hadn't been aware of him. There's actually a great recording on that site of him telling the story of his brother building a gas can guitar in 1947!

It's worth a listen.

http://www.macarnold.com/music.html
select the mp3 that is entitled: "Gas Can Story".

Great stuff!
Ted wrote....
"No one can fault Johnny for protecting his unique, evolving design. If the shoe was on the other foot and Sam came up with an innovative instrument, dedicated years to refine it and which was his source of income, I'm sure that there would be a new rule".....

Ted,

Don't be so sure what I would or wouldn't do... Even though you live by your craft, you are generous with information that will help others build (to a point)a design that is clearly TCRocker. It is truly that generousity of spirit that defines the best of the CBG community and which is always the point of departure in our "appreciation" of the LowBow and it's creator.

I would really rather that you didn't put me in the same boat with John..... even in a hypothetical.

the best,

Sam

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