John and Trish,

       It has been a long time since we've been in contact. Happened across your website and was proud to see that you are not only still instructing, but working diligently to expand the base of knowledge you are imparting to your students as well.

       1997 seems so long ago in some aspects of time but I still fondly remember classes with John and evenings at Taco Mac with cold beers and hot wings. It was a blast and some of the fondest memories I have. From building a custom guitar for Barry Richmond to getting to travel to Charlotte and work for Mars for a bit, it was all an eye-opening experience.

      In the years that have passed I have remained at Gibson Guitars in one role after another; from a rough mill supervisor, Dobro Division Supervisor, Engineering/Design for the O.A.I. Division to the Engineering/Design Department here at Gibson Custom, the basis of my knowledge came from a small school (at the time) on Lake Lucerne and The Fret Shop.

      It was that fundamental knowledge of instruments and thier construction that John taught me, along with the Satuerday building classes, that has continued to aide me in my day-to-day routine. I have even done some consulting from time to time for our Repair Division and that too is due to the foundations that were laid by your school.

     I hope all is going well for you guys and wish you continued success. Please drop me a line anytime as I would love to stay in touch with you. Oh, by-the-way...my name is spelt wrong on your list of graduates...LOL.

   Thank you for everything,

          Darron DuBose 

    
Darron DuBose
Engineering Dept./