Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Airdale on October 26, 2015, 01:20:00 PM

Title: John McCullough
Post by: Airdale on October 26, 2015, 01:20:00 PM
I have tried to reach John several times but got no answer. A couple of folks I know think he has retired.  One of them still thinks the world is flat.  Anyone know?
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on October 26, 2015, 02:07:00 PM
He retired.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Firemandivi on October 26, 2015, 02:15:00 PM
The world isn't flat.


sorry had to say it.  Best luck in reaching him.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on October 26, 2015, 02:18:00 PM
I don't know John personally, although we live 30 minutes apart. I talked to his neighbor a few weeks back and he said he only makes a few bows for friends and family. Take it for what its worth.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Airdale on October 26, 2015, 02:42:00 PM
Sounds like no more Griffens or 59ers.  John will be missed as one of the better bow builders.  Lot of Griffens and 59ers  not to speak of the many Shrew bows that John built are cherished by there owners.  I wish him the best in his retirement>
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on October 26, 2015, 03:20:00 PM
My very first non wheely bow came in the early 90's, it was a "Raco" model I got from Ron. John made it of course. My first traditional buck came with that same bow.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Izzy on October 26, 2015, 05:57:00 PM
Yes, sadly he has retired but while he was at it, he sure made some fine sticks. Holding on tight to my last 3 Griffins.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Jwilliam on October 26, 2015, 06:23:00 PM
John built a great shooting bow. My very first Trad bow was a 60" Griffin purchased at Denton Hill. It's the one bow that I still regret selling. Guess I won't have a chance to pickup another one.


Bill
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Doc Nock on October 26, 2015, 08:30:00 PM
I bought a Griffin from him at B'more MD shoot decades ago...

He was a fine, fine fellow to do biz with!

Sold that bow to Graybeard here some couple years back... simple stick but a sweet shooter...just got too heavy for me over time...

Sorry to hear there'll be no more such bows, but glad he can retire!
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Yellow Dog on October 26, 2015, 09:51:00 PM
John set the bar pretty high, his work is phenominal. Owned a bunch of his bows over the years and recently trimmed down to one of each of his designs. 68" Tsunami, 64" Griffin, 60" Griffin, 60" Fiftyniner and one of his 56" Fiftysixers. John was very proud of his last design, a 56" short recurve. He told me he put everything he learned about building bows into that one and it came out better than he'd ever expected. Great shooting little bow and he only made a few of them. Johns craftsmanship and wood choices/combinations were beyond stunning. Simple and beautiful bows to be cherished and sought out for years to come.

   :archer2:
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Tajue17 on October 27, 2015, 05:03:00 AM
if you live in Florida then the world is flat.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 27, 2015, 07:18:00 AM
I owned a Griffin for several years, It was a great shooting Bow! Killed my first squirrel with it.

The Grip allowed it to shoot where my hand pointed.

Congrats John on your retirement, hopefully for the guys wanting your bows, they will turn up on the classifieds from time to time.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Roger Norris on October 27, 2015, 08:08:00 AM
John is a fantastic bowyer. My first Shrew was made by him. Because I'm an idiot, I sold it. It is the one bow I have sold that I wish I could get back.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Ray Lyon on October 27, 2015, 08:17:00 AM
My first Super Shrew, which is a Samurai, was built by John in 1999. I still have that bow and it's one of my finest shooters. Absolutely quiet and sit's dead in the hand on the release and it is pick it up and first shot accurate. John along with Ron LaClair really made the short bow what it is today in my opinion. It was fun seeing it unfold from the mid nineties when Ron brought those first Super Shrew longbows to camp right through the introduction of the Lil Favorite.  

I hope John enjoys his retirement.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: 4dogs on October 27, 2015, 10:33:00 AM
Mike, any chance to get a peek at that fiftysixer? Would love to see it.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Yellow Dog on October 27, 2015, 04:28:00 PM
Fiftysixer, Red Curly Narra and Curly Maple riser with bamboo cored Karelian Birch Burl limbs, 56" 50@30. Five@20.

     (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/Yellowdog3822/59A4A781-EE97-45D7-B845-D31F5AB3A920_zpsddh7dykw.jpg) (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Yellowdog3822/media/59A4A781-EE97-45D7-B845-D31F5AB3A920_zpsddh7dykw.jpg.html)

     (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/Yellowdog3822/331168EB-28D9-450D-B22E-B1170130FB42_zps1srgdapz.jpg) (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Yellowdog3822/media/331168EB-28D9-450D-B22E-B1170130FB42_zps1srgdapz.jpg.html)
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: 4dogs on October 27, 2015, 04:32:00 PM
WOW! First I ever heard of John building that short recurve. Bet they are hard to come by. Thank you Mike....I appreciate you showing it to us.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: Airdale on October 27, 2015, 04:43:00 PM
Nice bow Mike, thanks for the post.  Brian.
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: 4dogs on January 08, 2017, 12:12:00 AM
TTT for Greg Owen      :thumbsup:
Title: Re: John McCullough
Post by: LongStick64 on January 08, 2017, 10:24:00 AM
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a Grayling Spirit made by John and it's the one reason I haven't bought a bow in over 2 years. Great work and great performer.