November 19, 2008 - regarding the Hippner Original Model Series #565 My wife relented when I called to tell her the guitar arrived--so I opened right away. The more I play it, the more I like it. It really grows on you. Your descriptions were amazingly accurate. I had my Loriente setup and it plays very easily. When I first saw the frets on the Hippner, I wondered how it'd feel, the frets are shallower than the Loriente. Much to my ever growing smile, the Hippner has such an easy action. Wow! =) Thanks for the sheet music too. You're very generous. Do you know the brand of strings on there? They seem to help minimize squeaks. Well, I'm very impressed and happy with our entire exchange. Thank you, thank you. My students, and some colleagues--especially the band teachers, are anxious to see and hear it. I'll be glad to show it off. :)
October 30, 2008 Hi Rich, The work you did on the Bach Violin Sonatas & Partitas is very impressive. Everything lies so well in the hands. Your work on all the Fugues is the best I've seen yet. Keep up the excellent work. Steve C. California
October 29, 2008
Thank you for your beautiful publications and for your inspiring web site.
Are you ever going to make a CD of your favorite pieces?
Best wishes......Steve
August 18, 2008 Richard, I’m very impressed with your original compositions. I plan on buying a few including Prelude 10. I also am an Encore user.... Great job on the music and I hope to hear more originals in the future. Larry. B.
David is a wonderful guy, and a good player with great taste in music. This was received August 12, 2008 Hi Richard,
Congrats on selling the "87 Ioannou!
I'm really loving the Whisler. I'd been looking for about 10 months! And I am so glad I waited. (Sounds like a real love story, huh?)
It's such a relief to now just settle down and practice...
I also want to say it's been a pleasure to "do biznis" with you...and to have made your acquaintance.
FYI, here's a copy of the message I left Ken Whisler on his website:
I just bought one of your guitars, "July '08" on the label, from Richard Sayage ("Savage Guitars")in Long Island. I absolutely love it!
Madly! A wonderful work of art! The sound is beautifully warm with well balanced and distinct registers. It plays very smoothly, and,
though light, feels solid. These qualities are more than enough, but you've also created such a visually unique and very tasteful piece, that
it's very quite remarkable. I don't know of a prettier guitar. I came to try out 3 or 4 others. Then I tried yours, and just couldn't leave
without her. Thank you so much for my new love.
Best,
David Kahn
April 6, 2009 Hey Rich, I wanted to thank you for all the help with guitar. She is really just a great instrument and I couldn't be happier. I can't wait til I make her sing as beautifully as you do with your guitar. Thanks, Eric M. Las Vegas
April 9, 2009 regarding an Adalid 9C/B Spruce Top Hi Rich, I just wanted to check in with you and let you know how much I'm enjoying the guitar. She has opened up a considerable amount. I got the new saddle put in, and also one of the braces was a little loose. Everything is fine now and we have no buzz. I can't wait to do business with you again man. I was impressed with all the guitars you had and would have bought 3 or 4 if I could have afforded it. Please let me know if you get one of the Hill Double Tops or any lattice braced guitars. That's my next quest! I have been saving up! Best, Shawnthis is a follow-up : ... You and your family are A1 in my book and your hospitality is far above any dealer in the industry. You don't have to abbreviate anything on my account. If anyone has any questions I'll tell them how it is. I mean every word of it. Let me know if this customer doesn't get the Hill. I'm interested. Do you have it on the site yet?
April 17, 2009 regarding a setup and intonation job on a Luthier Guitar Hi Rich, I just wanted to let you know that I’m extremely happy with the way my guitar turned out. It took a couple of days for the strings to break in but once they did I was amazed how much the tone and playability has been improved. Once again, many thanks. John G.
July 11, 2009 regarding the Hippner 573 Torres with Spruce Top and Brazilian RW shipped via FedEx to California Arthur V. wrote:
Yesterday in the evening I received the guitar Hippner 573 "Torres" and I am very satisfied with my purchase, without doubt this is a beautiful guitar, very light and it has a beautiful sound.
P.S. In your opinion do you believe that a new classical guitar will get a better sound after playing it for a period of time?
For your honesty and your attention thank you very much. -AV
July 28, 2009 regarding a finish restoration - top restoration and setup on a Cabral Classical. Shiro is a professional guitarist specializing in South American music. I had the good fortune to also meet his lovely wife at my home, where we spent a delightful afternoon together talking and playing music. Hi Rich, Yesterday, I did a rehearsal at the concert hall of Argentine Consulate in NYC to play Cabral's guitar for the first time in 15 years. It sounds marvelous and also the color of the top has been settled down and it looks much natural than that day I received her at your place. I'm proud that I had an excellent choice to bring her to you. Here I send you some pictures including two we took at your home. Thanks again. I wish you well and give my warmest regards to your lovely family. Shiro Otake 
Follow-up by Shiro on September 25, 2009 Hi Rich, I have played the Cabral guitar at four great concerts in August and September. It's terrific. Since I have received her from you, it sounds better and better really day by day. Here I send you some pictures of me and my girl. (Argentine Embassy, NY Bargemusic in August and Japanese Ambassdor's residence in Mexico City, Templo Mayor -Great Aztec Piramid Ruins- also in Mexico City in September) Thanks again, Rich. I have another Cabral that I'd like to fix the head peg part.
August 19, 2009 - regarding the sale of the Hippner #163 Frank M. from NJ wrote: Rich, Only one word to describe it; outstanding! It fits perfect, sounds amazing and is in almost pristine condition. You did a very nice job on the action. Great case too! Thanks, Frank
September 30, 2009 - regarding a repair job done to a Bellucci Classical Guitar with pick-up system. Finish was completely taken down, sanded, refinished sparingly (as it should have been done originally), new nut, new saddle, new bridge, new saddle slot, etc... a real buzzing mess. I had put regular tension strings on the guitar, thought better of it and sent High Tension strings along with the guitar, recommending that the customer replace the strings right away. Sorry for not writing sooner, but my internet provider, which is also my phone provider, had problems and service was restored just few minutes ago. Yesssss!! I finally received the package. I received it in excellant condition. I mentioned the problem we had had to the mailman and he said he had no explanation except that it seems that there was a system breakdown in this case. That this was very unusual. Well I opened the package and right away tried out the guitar. I was very unimpressed with the sound. So I decided to replace the strings with a set of Savarez HT Alliance bass strings and a set of Hense HT carbon trebles I had ordered just before I had sent the guitar to you.. I tied the strings to the bridge with a "string tie block:" I had designed, with which the strings are tied to the bridge with out wrapping around the top of the bridge. It acts as a sort of 12 hole tie instead of a 6 hole tie. Thus prevents the strings from marring the top of the bridge and allowing more downward pressure on the saddle. "SEE PICTURE". Once this was done she really began to ring and the volume was duplicated (doubled). If Renato could only hear now!! Rich I want to thank you for all the support you have given me throughout this transaction. You are a true professional and considerate person. A true credit to your profession. By the way that is an unusual looking saddle you made. I have seen compensated saddles before, but this one is more elaborate. Can you make another one so that I may keep as a spare?Win from Puerto Rico 
11-01-2009 Dear Richard, ... I have a 1966 Martin 0028 with beautifully book matched Brazilian and a tight grained Spruce top which I believe has a lot more to give. She hasn’t been touched by a pro in years (her neck broke thirty some odd years ago – Martin did a fine job with her replaced neck – scalloped my braces and refinished the instrument. Having digested your superb website, I would be gratified if I could bring her to you and have her set up evaluated. My mild arthritis is a bit of a hindrance and I truly wish I had the bucks to buy a decent instrument of 640 scale length – failing that, I feel a professional setup (fret work – saddle) would improve her action and playability. Additionally, she has several rather lengthy checks in her lacquer on her back that need attention. Allow me a compliment – your website inspires confidence in both sales and service – the best I’ve come across! Sincerely, Thomas K. Ford Brookfield, CT
10-21-2009 regarding a repair, loose brace, new nut, new saddle, compensation, cleanup and overall reconditioning of a Ramirez S1 that was buzzing, vibrating and well...doing all the wrong things. She is a pretty guitar and it was a shame. So I fixed her good :-) hi Rich,
The guitar came. What a difference. You put alot of effort into repairing it and it's very noticeable. It's a totally different guitar and it sounds beautiful. Thank you very much.
All the best, jneely
10-22-2009 regarding a book order, where Marshall needed special handling for shipping. Hello, amazing, thank you very much, I received the music today and just finished playing through the whole sonata. wow, thank you, i have been trying to find this music off and on for close to 5 years. I will be purchasing more of your transcriptions and I will be sending fellow guitarists and my instructor your web address. Best wishes and thank you for your time, Marshall Carter
12-09-2009 regarding an Avalon A32J with Lowden Flite Case sent to Bob in California via FedEx Richard - Thanks for the great service. You do a great and professional job! I passed on a lot of opportunities for this one. It seems to have everything I am looking for. Thanks for the effort. I will let you know when it arrives. Bobfollowup email on 12-14-2009 Hello Richard - I received the Avalon A32J today and all is well. I love the guitar. It is exactly what I was looking for. No more being tethered to an amp in my den (though it sounds very good on my Polytone here in my office). Thanks for the goody bag as well. This thing blows away the top of the line Taylor NS74 or whatever it is. This has to be better than the Lowdens or Larivees as well. The big lower bout really gives some nice deep tone on the Avalon. The Avalon even smells good! The wood smell is amazing - like being in a forest.
01-27-2010 regarding Select Bach Transcripts Volume II with TAB Thanks, Rich. That's terrific. I greatly appreciate your transcriptions, and look forward to this latest compilation. By random coincidence, I've heard the prelude to Bach's violin partita no. 3 a number of times in a number of places over the last two weeks -- this inspired to check on your website to see what's currently available! Marshall in Detroit Follow-up email on 02-02-2010 Rich,
Thanks for sending the very-recent compilation so fast. It's a beautiful collection. I salute you and all your efforts to help struggling amateur guitarists like myself approach fantastic works of music! And please pass along my thanks to your client who urged you to publish this specific book (Bach Vol. II). This is a great one.
Best regards,
Marshall
| 
