My visit to the WB/Rist work shop!

[LPCollector]

I'm still going thru a messy divorce so my friends Will Boggs and Roman Rist invite me down to Redding California to get away from it all.
I have been friends with Will and Roman for some time, yet this was to be our first face to face meeting.

So, I mount my trusty steed (an 06 Lotus Sport Elise) and drive the 400 miles to Redding CA.
I got into Redding about 6:30 Friday evening in almost 100 degree heat.

When I arrive, I am greeted by the whole clan: Will, Laura, Hailey, Chelsea, Roman and the nice woman that puts up with Roman, Amber.

After settling in, I am sworn to a confidentiality agreement and then given a tour of their shops. Both shops were like a Disneyland for guitar players. An overwhelming sense of MAGIC greets you at both their doors, followed by some very tasty eye candy, the smell of soldier and freshly manipulated wood........and a whole lot of sawdust at Romans shop.

At the Rist shop, one finds guitars in various states of the build process. Upon closer inspection each and every one of them are a testament to Romans craftmanship. Hand chosen exotic woods, quality parts, impeccable fit and finish and the "feel" that you only get on a hand made guitar by a caring craftsman.
There is NO DOUBT that this man loves what he does.....and it shows!
He also showed me raw woods that would blow your mind as well as a collection of memorabilia signed from very famous people that he has worked with over the years.
Watching Roman work left me in awe........he is magical indeed!
As soon as I am no longer under a finacial restraining order.......I will commission Roman to build a VERY tasty piece for me.

At the WB Headquarters, the audible magic filled the room as Will played a guitar loaded with his AMAZING new pickup called the original "Doublebucker".
The original "Doublebucker" is a coil tapped humbucker with a miriad of tonal combinations. Each and every sound produced by that pickup was pure heaven. The original Doublebucker is a live players MUST OWN!
Even Roman admits that Will has "the magic" in all of his pickups.

The next AM after a nice brunch at a great breakfast joint we played some guitar. Well, Will and Roman played very well but I am pretty much just a hack by comparison.

Then Will showed me how to wind a ********* pickup.......very cool process. Watching Will work was like watching a Scorcerer conjure up a potion or a mad scientist at work......UN-BE-****ING-BELIEVABLE!

Later that afternoon we started to play more guitar and Roman suggests we work on the only guitar that the Ex didn't get......my Tele with a Maple neck. Roman says he can solve my dislike for the shiny finish on the neck.
We separate the neck from the body and Roman disapears for a few hours only to be seen on a smoke break occasionally.
Will then grabs the body and starts putting in a **** single coil in it. I have owned his **** ***H's humbuckers before, so I had high expectations for a single coil with the '67 wire.
Will was pretty much finished the install when I decided to check on Roman. I walk in on an artisan rolling the edges of my neck (frets too), leveling the frets, crowning my frets and taking off that pesky shiny finish.
It was incredible to watch his talents at work.

The finished product after re-assembly, was the transformation of an average new Tele......to a guitar that feels like I have been playing it for 35 years and is an freakin' Tone Monster!!!

I would like to thank Will and Roman for their friendship and the amazing work they did on my guitar.
Laura, for opening up her home to me and feeding us the tastiest Chicken Marsala I have ever had.
To Amber, thanks for the "present" and putting up with Roman.
.......and last but not least......to Hailey and Chelsea....thanks for playing with me!

Good Times!

PS.... no pics 'cause the Ex got the camera in the divorce.

[diceman]

I'm glad to hear that you had a good trip to Redding! Those two guys are fantastic - and I'm looking forward to meeting them as well next time I'm in that part of the country.

[GNR4EVR]

It sounds almost like a fairy tale. Fantastic!

[River]

Lemme go find my sunglasses so I can read the whole post.

[The_Sentry]

I just got back myself...

PS: LPCollector, I saw the pics. That's a badass car, man!

[FLICKOFLASH]

Welcome back LPCollector

[terence_tez]

you know,one day,when i am more stable finacially.i would love to make my first trip to america to meet some of you guys...great people.i love you all my forum family!!!!

[Cookie-boy]

There is nothing better in this world than guitars and guitar people to take your mind off a messy divorce!

Here speaks the voice of experience!!!!!

It was a blast Mark. We all had a great time having you here. All of us wished you could of stayed longer. It was nice to have great weekend with friends!

Here's some pics we took when Mark was leaving on Sunday. You guys should have seen big 6'4 Will climb in and out of Mark's car. That was funny! I did get a picture of Will in his pajamas trying to sexually assault Marks car. LOL!

[coldsteal2]

man that car is tiny

[b-squared]

...but cool!

[blakem]

Wow! What a great story, what a great car, what a great expierience.. I would love to meet those guys..

[b-squared]

Ya, I'd like to get out to Casa Boggs as well one day...

BB

[mobprop667]

it is a shame it is on the other freaking side of the planet from me. I was chatting with will today and he is one genuinely nice guy.

[b-squared]

Sure is...

'Give ya the shirt off his back, he will...

BB

[mobprop667]

as long as he keeps the pyjama bottoms.

[b-squared]

Nice...

[jomo]

Great read man!! I hope to visit them one day, as my Dad lives in Redding and I haven't seen him in years. Maybe I can pull that off and kill two birds with one stone. Congrats on getting your Tele all smooth and yummy. If I ever start going through a divorce, you've taught me a lesson, I'll start shipping guitars off to my MLP friends. (to collect later of course)

[b-squared]

Sell 'em for $1......to people who will sell them back for the same.

[delawaregold]

It's good to see a post from you, Mark. That was a great report,
and I'm glad to see that your keeping your head in the game.
I'm expecting a full come back as soon as the you’re finished
with the trouble and strife. (a little cockney for you Phil!)
Keep in touch, Brother.

[Skynyrdpicker]

Awesome, glad you had a great time! Sounds like a blast!

[Roman]

It was a pleasure having you!

We had some fun, played some guitar, talked some shop, and got your tele in better shape!!!!


Thank You for your glowing praise!

I try

[mrpesca]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

It was a pleasure having you!

We had some fun, played some guitar, talked some shop, and got your tele in better shape!!!!


Thank You for your glowing praise!

I try

He lives! Welcome back Roman. It's been about 5 months since your last posts. Hope all is well now.

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by TheMrsWB

[Cookie-boy]

Well I know who's arse I prefer! And it ain't baggy Boggs!!!

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

Welcome back LPCollector

Originally Posted by delawaregold

It's good to see a post from you, Mark. That was a great report,
and I'm glad to see that your keeping your head in the game.
I'm expecting a full come back as soon as the you’re finished
with the trouble and strife. (a little cockney for you Phil!)
Keep in touch, Brother.

Thanks Flick and Artie!

Originally Posted by Cookie-boy

Well I know who's arse I prefer! And it ain't baggy Boggs!!!

ROTFLMAO!


Mark, my house is your house! Anytime you want another escape, come on down! Had a great time and it was much needed at our house as well!

Till next time!

Will

[jomo]

Mark, would this be who took your guitars?


You'll get more bro. Good luck to ya, I've been in those shoes myself.

[pinefd]

Great report, and welcome back Mark, my friend! Glad to see you're doin' ok. Just remember...stay away from the jail bait!


Frank

[LPCollector]

Bringing this thread forward to accentuate the importance of the friends one can make from a forum connection!