It is with great sadness that I bring the news that luthier and Cafe member Paul Hostetter has passed away.
Paul's well known site www.lutherie.net has helped many of us repair and understand the old tuners used on our most beloved instruments.
It is with great sadness that I bring the news that luthier and Cafe member Paul Hostetter has passed away.
Paul's well known site www.lutherie.net has helped many of us repair and understand the old tuners used on our most beloved instruments.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Bertram Henze, billhay4, Bob Bass, Bob Clark, bruce.b, brunello97, Dale Ludewig, darylcrisp, David Rambo, DavidKOS, dhergert, EdHanrahan, Elliot Luber, EvanElk, hank, Jill McAuley, John Lloyd, Johnny60, journeybear, Martin Jonas, Marty Jacobson, Mike Scott, NickR, noah finn, Paul Kotapish, pops1, RichieK, Ryk Loske, sunburst, Tim Logan, Timbofood
I never met him in person but he was an active presence here on MC and always ready with deep knowledge of luthiery, instruments and music. Often pleasantly cantankerous but charming nonetheless. RIP.
Last edited by Jim Garber; Feb-15-2019 at 8:03pm.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
We had a few telephone conversations a year and several e-mail exchanges. He really was a wealth of knowledge. I was pleasantly surprised a few years ago when I noticed he was actually playing (along with Robin) on a CD I owned. I'd had it for years and never read the credits.
https://vimeo.com/94672391
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I had a few pleasant interactions with him, and his website was invaluable, the fretwire page was my goto for years, I just saved a copy
Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.
Sad news. I always enjoyed his comments here.
Peace
Thanks, Mike, for passing this very sad news along.
Like Jim, I've never met Pablo in person but we have had many, many back channel conversations about a wide range of topics. I felt privileged to think of him as a friend. He was a great presence here, with a lifelong history of work, music, travels and adventure.
He looks quite a bit thinner in that photo, Mike, so I wonder if his health had been declining. Haven't spoken with him in awhile.
He will be sorely missed.
This is really sad news.
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
______________________
'05 Cuisinart Toaster
'93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
'12 Stetson Open Road
'06 Bialetti expresso maker
'14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig
His family posted his on his Facebook page:
Attachment 174889Rest in Peace Paul Hostetter
December 2, 1945 - February 13, 2019
To Paul's friends far and wide: a message from his family, Robin, Kaethe, and Marandi
Our beloved Paul passed away on Wednesday. Some of you know how long he fought to overcome his cancer. This week, he chose to let go. We invite you to share your remembrances of Paul here, and please know that we cherish hearing from you on this page.
If and when we plan a celebration for Paul, we will announce it here.
With love and heavy hearts,
Robin, Kaethe, and Marandi
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Rest in peace. Always sad to see a long-time member move on. On behalf of the Mandolin Cafe, condolences to his family and friends.
Mandolin Cafe - Since 1995
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I've know Paul for years, both as a luthier and fine musician. He regretted by
Gibson A2Z some years ago. In fact, when I "inherited it" he told me what a great mandolin it was before I got to realize that.
I, along with many here in Santa Cruz, will miss him.
He was a wealth of knowledge and a fixture here for many years. Rest In Peace Paul....
Shaun Garrity
http://www.youtube.com/user/spgokc78
Let me update my email about Paul Hostetter: he regretted my 2AZ mandolin, and worked on other instruments of
mine. I also remember his playing with Italian mandolinists here in town.
Nick Royal
So sorry to hear this news. I only had the pleasure of visiting with Paul a couple of times at the Mandolin Symposium. The last time was with Eric Thompson in attendance. Condolences to family and friends, RIP Paul.
Like so many others, Paul advised and kept me on the right track through several projects. He found a good neck for my wife’s 30s L-00. When Paul removed the old neck, he called and told me that tool marks and other evidence showed that he was about to put the 3rd neck in the old Gibson. I made the comment, if that guitar could talk. Paul said, “If that guitar could talk, I would expect it to be grumpy.” Rest In Peace, Paul Hostetter. May God give Robin and family strength through this difficult time.
Many ... many emails and phone conversations with Paul as he worked on my '28 L-5 and afterwards. Always a joy to talk with someone whose sense of humor was much like my own. His site was a treasure trove that generated more of those conversations. Rest in Peace Paul ... and my heartfelt prayers and sympathy to his loved ones.
Ryk
mandolin ~ guitar ~ banjo
"I'm convinced that playing well is not so much a technique as it is a decision. It's a commitment to do the work, strive for concentration, get strategic about advancing by steps, and push patiently forward toward the goal." Dan Crary
Several times I turned to Paul for advice, which was given freely and with clarity. I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family, friends and the larger community.
Russ
Make America Grateful Again!
2013 Collings MF, 2017 Northfield NF2S, 2019 Northfield Big Mon F
1968 Martin D12-20, 2008 Martin HD28, 2022 Martin CEO 7
1978 Ibanez Artist "Flying Eagle" Masterclone Banjo
While I did not know Paul except through his postings here, we have built such a community on the Cafe that I felt I knew him, just as I feel I know many of you who are regulars here. I will miss his postings for the information and wit they contained. His personality came through and he seemed to be a very generous person. I hope his family will find some comfort in the memories of his music.
Best wishes,
Bob
Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album
May he Rest in Peace.
So sorry to hear this news - I always enjoyed what Paul had to say here. Condolences to his family and friends.
2018 Girouard Concert oval A
2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
1969 Martin 00-18
my Youtube channel
Sad to hear of Paul's passing. I, like so many others, enjoyed his posts and wisdom. I loved Paul's avatar. Rest in peace friend.
Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band
Oh no, this is terrible news! Paul was a wonderful person and a great asset to the community.
Andrew Mowry
Mowry Stringed Instruments
http://mowrystrings.com
Also visit me on Facebook to see work in progress and other updates.
Sorry to hear of his passing and prayers to his family and friends.
RIP Paul, he always seemed to me to be a very kind and knowledgable luthier always ready to share his knowledge with us at the cafe.
Condolences to Pauls family.
Dave H
Eastman 615 mandola
2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
2012 Weber Bitteroot F5
Eastman MD 915V
Gibson F9
2016 Capek ' Bob ' standard scale tenor banjo
Ibanez Artist 5 string
2001 Paul Shippey oval hole
Sad to hear about Paul’s passing. I have a resonator mandolin that Paul built. I sent it to Paul a couple of years ago, to get it fixed-up. It was a lot of fun corresponding and talking to Paul; he will be remembered and missed.
If I saw his name I always read his posts, because I knew they would potentially contain excellent information. I followed his online instructions for rehabbing the tuners on an old oval hole mandolin and they were spot on.
Prayers for his family and friends, he will be sorely missed here.
Clark Beavans
Certainly sad to hear this. Condolences to his family. I learned a ton of great information from his posts. I really hope somebody finds a way to keep his website up or archive the information. Great stuff! The chart of available fret wire is the only multi brand comprehensive chart that I am aware of.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
I am also numbered with the many who enjoyed reading the many threads he contributed to. His insight, well prepared responses, clever comments will be forever missed!
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
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