[ Ref. Don Teach in 170204 MMDigest ]

Further to Don Teach's remarks on the conclusion of the Randolph Herr
saga, I think we can all agree it is indeed terribly sad, and for
several reasons.

The loss of a friend and colleague, unrealized projects, and a grim
future for the instruments in question does not a happy tale make.

Although I am familiar with this story only from what I have read on
MMD, there were some details indicated that make it seem that this
unhappy result was perhaps foreseeable (in hindsight), and therefore
preventable.  This may be the most tragic fact of all.  And to my
recollection this is not an isolated incident, there have been more
than a few examples over the last couple of years, of instruments lost
or destroyed after they leave the custody of the final owner.

While it would be quite presumptuous of me to offer a lecture on work
methods or a care regimen for the instruments of others, I just feel
the impulse to offer some "food for thought", from the point of view of
a potential steward of instruments, in the future.  It is not meant to
be preachy or morbid; I offer it simply for consideration.

- Unless you are a seasoned veteran running a production shop with
serious manpower and workflow oversight, it is probably not a good idea
to work on more than one complex instrument at once.  Understandably
it is a fair amount of work to thoroughly evaluate a newly acquired
instrument for treatment, to take it apart only to have to put it back
together again.  But if there is already another project underway, any
additional instrument may not begin treatment for months or years.
Even if space permits to have more than one instrument disassembled at
once, what is the advantage to doing it this way?

- Documentation is certainly a great asset, well worth the time of
doing.  Make records of provenance of instrument, the details of your
acquisition, all pertinent information about the instrument, in terms
of character and functionality.  In addition make notes and take good
photos of any work performed, as well as a  suggested prognosis, if
work is to be deferred until later.

- The human condition dictates that we believe we have all the time in
the world.  While this may be the case for the indefinite future, there
is no guarantee.  One's fortunes may be reversed in short order, when
it comes to health and wealth.  Not a pleasant thought, but one to
remember from time to time.

- As our instruments are viewed as treasured possessions, they must
therefore be considered as a significant part of our estate.  Even if
end of life is the farthest thing on your mind, it is never too soon
to set down a will and testament.  Having recently been indirectly
involved in the execution of the estates of two grandparents (different
sides of family), I can anecdotally say that it is a far less onerous
experience for loved ones to deal with the administrative side of
death, if there is a will in place with clear directives.

- Speaking of loved ones: unless they share your passion equally, can
they be relied upon to faithfully and properly disperse of instruments
after you pass on? If not, why leave it to them in the first place,
when (from their perspective) there will be so many other more important
details to attend to, when the time comes.  Do everyone a favor, and
try to make personal arrangements to entrust the instrument to next
custodian, before it is too late!

- We are merely the custodians of these instruments.  These instruments
have had other owners before us (in some cases many owners), and the
idea should be that they pass safely on to the next steward, when our
custody is over.  It is paramount to bequeath the best examples of our
instruments, for the benefit of following generations.

Given the foregoing, consider this final question: if this were the
last day that you held custody of your instruments, what would happen
to them after tomorrow?

Respectfully,
Ian Gillis