On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 17:01:14 -0800, charlie b
wrote:


I'm sure Hal utilizes some of the joinery Sam Maloof used.
If you study oriental furniture joinery you'll see that
Maloof didn't invent the joining methods he uses.

Bottom line, we all build on the knowledge developed by
others. Occassionaly we think we "create" something new
but a little researching usually shows it's been done
many times before. There is very little new under the
sun.

charlie b

This is true, but how close is too close? Maloof or Nakashima or
Krenov all have their look. Which of course is based on learning from
what's been done before. A summing up of the lessons they learned and
a bit of their own contribution.

So when others imitate the Maloof or Krenov style, how close is too
close? I think when the imitation causes one to be confused to the
point of thinking "is it live or Memorex?", that's too close. That
is, the imitator who offers things for sale should add enough of
themselves to avoid the confusion.

If, on the other hand, you want a Maloof rocker for yourself and
you'll only build that one, then sure, knock yourself out. Go for a
100% copy.