John and Paul,

Thank you to you both. The instrument arrived in Hudson, Wisconsin safe, sound and eager to sing. This mail order bride is even prettier in person — whoa! My wife has good cause to be jealous. I felt like I had a pretty good grasp on what to anticipate when I ordered it thanks to John's descriptive overview and Paul's articulate manner of fielding my questions.

Still, the abstract nature of what we all seek from a guitar left me...well, anxious. From the very first note, this guitar was everything you said it might be — and then some. It is the "and then some" thats really exciting, surprising and inspiring. I'm fortunate to also play a very fine Martin 000-28 12-fret and a Olson 00, so the competition was stiff. This little How guitar stands tall among giants!

For a long while I've been chasing a particular response, blossom, decay from a guitar. Various guitars get close in different ways but, John, you nailed it. And then some. The manner in which the notes quickly lift, expand and fade feel and sound so right to me. This guitar has a sonic urgency that responds to a light or heavy touch — its right there, immediately. The "and then some" is found in the amazing headroom when played with a more percussive hand.

The most surprising and endearing "and then some" is found in the — heres the impossible to describe abstract part — texture, color and tactile voodoo that lingers momentarily. Its a little bit Adirondack, a little bit mahogany, a little bit bracing, and a lot of John.

Long story short...I simply can't give this guitar back no matter what you do to me! It took a lot of years and guitars to arrive at this point. Thank you both for helping me finally arrive.

My deepest appreciation,
Larry