|
|
Skipper Custom Instruments - OrderingContact UsFrom Roger… Gerry Snelson is an indispensable element of Skipper instruments; without him, the instruments would have never become more than a hobby. He’s designer, business manager, concept development engineer, purchasing agent, sales representative . . . in short, he’s the head and heart and soul of the enterprise, while I, Roger, am merely the hands. I first met Gerry when he came to Frostburg State University to handle a late registration on yet another undecided nontraditional student—me. Shortly he was not only my most demanding English professor, but a very good friend. When he discovered that my hobby was lutherie, he prodded and pushed me forward with encouragement and moral support, and also by purchasing my instruments. He’s also a fine musician, and our worlds became further entwined during frequent informal jam sessions. When you purchase a Skipper instrument, you’ll get to know Gerry very well. He’s imaginative, inventive, has a great eye for detail and sound, and can conceptualize a finished product better than anyone I know. He’ll help you define your needs and desires, and will translate that concept into something elementary that this old woodsmith can comprehend. He’s also friendly and witty, and easy to talk to. Don’t be surprised if you collect a new friend along with your new instrument. Gerry responds… In describing me in the passage above, Roger’s words are probably more kind than accurate. But the main thrust of what he says is quite accurate: I will be your main point of contact and communication with Roger through ordering and the first several phases of constructing your instrument, as well as delivery. Our hope is to give Roger as much time to work on the many stages of building, finishing, and setting up as possible. We will, if you like, send digital pictures of weekly progress. Roger is an incredibly hard working and careful luthier. He often works through the wee hours of the night and starts again early the next day when he is inspired. When the waiting list is low, his turn-around time is remarkably short. As you can see in the Gallery section of these pages, his work stands up to very close scrutiny. His inside-the-box work is as clean as his finish work. Everything that leaves Roger’s shop is of heirloom quality; every instrument is a knockout in appearance and sound. His happy customers are located all over the United States, and even in South America. I have been to jams at which everyone there but the hammered dulcimer players had at least one Skipper stringed instrument with him or her. And wow! Did those instruments sound good together! At contests I have seen many Skipper instruments in the competitions, and in the hands of the prize winners.
The goal in these pages is to begin to reach the wider audience that Roger’s instruments so
clearly deserve. So, if you are ready to talk about a custom instrument, don’t hesitate to
contact me at either— E-mail Gerry Snelson(any time) Roger sums it up: If you feel that you absolutely need to contact Roger, or if you have feedback or questions about the website design or content, you may contact me directly. If you're contacting me about the building of an instrument, I'll strongly encourage you to work through Gerry; you'll have a better instrument, and you'll get it more quickly because I'll be busy in the shop, and not tied up on the computer or telephone. |
