RIP Tom Pettingill

John Ficken · Post by **John Ficken** » 17 Feb 2017 8:54 am

All...I am Tom's cousin-in-law, and the only other guitar player in the family. I regret to pass along the word that Tom Pettingill of Pettingill Guitars was lost to a heart attack on January 5, 2017. I'm sorry, but I have no further information. Tom was a very private person, and I think I'm the only one in the immediate or extended family that even knew he was on this board.

I would add that even as family, I never ordered my Pettingill guitar. I always thought there would be time. There isn't. Enjoy your friends and family while they are here. And those of you fortunate enough to have a Pettingill, I hope you'll treasure them for the works of art they are.

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 17 Feb 2017 9:00 am

I'm so sorry to hear this, John. I had the pleasure of meeting Tom a few years ago. He was a meticulous genius, and craftsman. I will always treasure the two lap steel guitars that he custom built for me. Rest well ol' friend.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 17 Feb 2017 9:40 am

Thank you for sharing this news, John.

This is just too awful.
R.I.P., Tom.

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 17 Feb 2017 9:47 am

John...OMG....I am just sick over this news....so sorry for your loss.

I last messaged with Tom on 01/03/17. In part, he had this to say...."I'm ringing in the New Year with a dose of the flu. My poor niece had the bug over Christmas and despite trying to minimise exposure, the whole family fell to the bug. Today is better than the last couple days, so the end is in sight."

I ordered my first steel from Tom in mid-2009. We had many discussions and I felt secure in ordering a steel from Tom. Lucky me...the steel was a work of art and it sounded great.

We would converse every so often about steels, his future builds and then I would wind up ordering another one, always something very different looking and sounding than my prior steels.

Tom was an artiste' in every sense of the word and I will miss our cyber conversations.

Rest well my friend.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 17 Feb 2017 9:54 am

My sincere condolences to you and the family, John. We all appreciated Tom's contributions to the steel guitar world.

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 17 Feb 2017 9:54 am

Please extend my Condolences to the Family from GeorgeBoards

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 17 Feb 2017 9:56 am

My deepest condolences to Tom's family and friends. He was a wonderful guy and talented builder. I'm glad to have called him friend.
RIP.

I also posted this sad news on The Gear Page, where he was also a member.

David Knutson · Post by **David Knutson** » 17 Feb 2017 10:15 am

John, my thoughts are with you, and all of Tom's family. I hope you all know just how much he, and his beautiful guitars were - and are - respected on this forum. Tom's art, as a fellow woodworker, has inspired me greatly, and I will do my best to honour that whenever I'm in my shop.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 17 Feb 2017 11:14 am

This is awful news! Tom was a great guy, a talented builder of beautiful guitars and a great contributor here. Rats! RIP, Tom, your instruments will outlive all off us.

Keith Glendinning · Post by **Keith Glendinning** » 17 Feb 2017 11:19 am

As an amateur builder I held Tom's guitars in awe. My deepest condolences go out to all of his family at this very sad time.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Feb 2017 11:35 am

Oh my. My sincere condolences to the family. I never met Tom but I have admired his awesome work from afar for several years. Gone too soon. RIP, Tom.

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 17 Feb 2017 11:43 am

Sad news.
A great builder of beautiful lap steel guitars.
RIP Ton

Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 17 Feb 2017 11:48 am

Really sad to hear this

Thanks Tom for the friendship!
Ron

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 17 Feb 2017 12:11 pm

This is so sad. I didnâ€™t know the man, but the few steel guitars I have built probably would not exist if not for the inspiration of Tomâ€™s amazing woodwork. I never played or even saw one of his instruments in person, but his stunning photography brought them to life for me in a way that I could clearly appreciate the incredible works of art that they are. He was very generous in sharing his woodworking and finishing knowledge, which was immeasurably helpful to me. My condolences to his family and friends. His presence will be greatly missed.

Peter Jacobs · Post by **Peter Jacobs** » 17 Feb 2017 12:29 pm

My deepest condolences to you and your entire family. I only knew Tom from the forum, but was always in awe of his artistic ability, as well as his positive attitude and obvious joy in life. He will be missed.

Rick Stratton · Post by **Rick Stratton** » 17 Feb 2017 12:48 pm

I, too, followed his art over the years with hopes of having one of his creations someday. Another shock! You really get to feel like you know some of these guys on the forum. Very sad.

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 17 Feb 2017 1:34 pm

Sorry to hear of Tom's passing. My condolences to the family. His creations were true artistry.

Paul Malta · Post by **Paul Malta** » 17 Feb 2017 1:47 pm

I corresponded with Tom just a short while.. I became a great admirer of his work and sought to acquire one of his fine instruments just a few months ago.

In the brief time I was in contact with him, he was obviously in love with his creations (he referred them to me as "his babies") and was so energetic and enthusiastic about what he could do for me. He bore all the traits of a true artist and a gentleman.

Sadly, my lap is probably on his work bench but much more tragically is the loss of a man who gave so much to so many through his artistry, and had so much more to give.

My deepest condolences to his family.

Mike Spieth · Post by **Mike Spieth** » 17 Feb 2017 2:31 pm

There were so many times that I followed the link below his posts just to admire the beautiful guitars. What a loss.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 17 Feb 2017 4:28 pm

That is really sad news, for the passing of a man with his talent...

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 17 Feb 2017 4:56 pm

Very shocking and sad news. My condolences to the family. Tom made his mark in the steel guitar world. He leaves a great legacy behind. Rest in Peace.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 17 Feb 2017 6:04 pm

Check out some of his beautiful guitars here.

http://s302.photobucket.com/user/tompet ... t=3&page=1

Don Barnhardt · Post by **Don Barnhardt** » 17 Feb 2017 7:38 pm

Never had the pleasure of knowing Tom personally but I've tried to read all of his posts on this forum. As a novice builder he has meant so much to me. He was very generous sharing his knowledge with others. He will be greatly missed.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 17 Feb 2017 9:12 pm

Sincere condolences to Tom's family and friends. He was a fine member of this online community. A VERY talented guy....So sad...

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 18 Feb 2017 5:51 am

The Steel Guitar Forum

RIP Tom Pettingill

RIP Tom Pettingill

RIP Tom

Tom's beautiful guitars