Has anyone ordered a John McCullough Griffin or 59'er lately? I am going to order a trad style recurve soon and have it narrowed to a few. Great Northern Ghost, Kota Kill-um and a 59'er. I owned a 59'er years ago and loved it.I am looking for info on how to contact John and order a bow. Does he have a website? What is the waiting period for a bow right now?
I don't think he has a website and the waiting time is somewhere around 3 years. Someone will be along shortly with his phone number.
Wow, 3 years? I would have kept the 59'er that I had if it wasn't a 65 pound bow. I grew old and weak :( I killed several deer with the bow and loved the smoothness. Don't think I will invest for a 3 year wait though.
You might post a wanted add in the classifieds. It works sometimes. I think John attends one of the big shoots in the summer and usually has a few show bows that he sells there, you might keep this up top to find out which one and see if you could make the show.
He always has a few at Denton hill . I got a 59 r there two years ago fantastic bow and a great guy.
If you find a 59'r, buy it! Those babies shoot.
Here's a pic of my new 59'er. Three year wait. Like was said above, post a wanted and see what happens. I don't have John's number handy but if you want it PM me and I'll dig it up. He sometimes has a bow or two in stock. (http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff383/maxafterburn/59er004.jpg)
Been on Johns list going on three years the end of April this year. Expect to get the call soon and I'm going to have John build me a pretty Fiftyniner Bowbolt. Fiftyniners are as rare as they come and I've had three of them and still have one that I'll never sell, the grip is perfect. John freehands the grips and each has their own subtle differences. The one I kept is perfect for me. If you ever see a used Fiftyniner snatch it up quick, they don't last long and are easy to sell if you don't like it. JMHO
A couple more to get the juices flowing!
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff383/maxafterburn/59er005.jpg)
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff383/maxafterburn/59er006.jpg)
Ken that bow is SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!
John can be reached at 517-626-6365. He lives in DeWitt, Michigan and telepone is the best way to reach him.
That's a beauty Catskill - wenge and maple?
I have this one, cocobolo, maple I-beam and maple limbs. Great shooting bow.
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff388/tmoren/59er3small.jpg)
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff388/tmoren/59er1small.jpg)
Very nice Ken! I love mine.
Yes, wenge and maple. John's bows are superbly crafted! Get on the list and wait your turn, it's well worth it. I just continued to shoot what I had and tried to forget I had one on order.
I have a similar following here with my business. If you do top shelf work people will wait for the finished product. You can't rush quality.
There is a used one at the Footed Shaft in MN for $425.
56# bow.
The 59er's have to be one of the sexiest bows ever! I've been on the list for at least 2 years. Longest list I've ever been on but I know it'll be well worth it. I love the wenge maple.
They are great looking and shooting bows. John always has a few at Denton Hill each year but you better get to his table early.
He'a also a very interesting fellow to talk to about bow building and bow performance.
I know your mainly interested in one of John's bows, but you mentioned the Kota Killum, you need to look into one of these before you buy anything. Although not an exact replica of a 59 Kodiak, it is built simular to bows of that era. I have one and it is a great shooting bow, Tim will make them out of whatever you want and only a few months wait for a new one and easy on the pocket book as well. Check out his web site. RW
I may be out of line but how can you wait 3 years for a bow. He only makes so many bows a year, but he has a number of bows with him when he goes to some gatherings to sell.
These are bows he makes while you are waiting 3 years for yours. Please explain as i am not criticizing just asking.
Not sure but maybe while he is working on a custom he glues up a similar bow to take to a show.
When he was working on mine he sent me some pictures and said if I didn't like what he had done so far he would make me another one. I would then assume he would finish the first one and sell it as a stock bow.
I don't have a problem with a guy building a few bows to promote himself. The fact that he's got a 3 year wait isn't because he builds a handful of bows for shows. It's because he builds a desirable bow. in order to get a bow built to your specs it takes 3 years... I can live with that.
three years wait is crazy, lets say for arguments sake he is fulfilling 5 custom orders per month, a nice figure. He has over 180 orders to fulfill infront of yours! lol
I think the three year wait is if you want one a certain way, like any other custom bow. If you have the opportunity to go to shows and he has something you like, that's great too.
I don't think he is building bows for a living. It's also surprising and a little depressing how fast three years can go by...
I think some bowers miss weight and then use that bow for a stock or show bow.
John doesn't build bows for a living and he doesn't take deposits and makes no promises as to delivery. It is what it is with John. Can't fault him for that!
When you handle a Griffin for the 1st time you will understand why the wait is worth it. Theyre not the bows for a guy who is starting out and doesnt already have 1 or 2 in the stable. These are for people who know what they want and are willing to wait on perfection.
If you have to have a Griffin and dont want to wait, buy Used. If you cannot accept buying used and dont want to wait, go cry to someone else.
I agree with Izzy, If you know this is the bow for you..... wait.
If you are not a patient person who's problem is that? :confused: Certainly not The Bowyers. It sounds to me like he is in a good place! You dont get there by cheating people and building a crappy product. To me the wait would be worth its weight in gold.
I sure would like to see the 59'er of yours Ken, hope we can meet one of these days. I encourage you to come to the stump shoot that is held at Rockwood forest. If you miss it, there are plenty of other events, hopefully we will cross paths.
i dont get people that jump on a thread like this an bitch about a bowyer that has a long waiting list..if you dont like it than buy something else.. :banghead:
i have 4 griffins an all used..i can find what i want used..i have collected these an more in a year an a half..