> I would like to point out Marinoni out of Montreal. He has now been
building
> for 28 years and has likely produced more frames than any other builder in
> North America: probably close to 30,000.
I agree Marinoni doesn't get it's due respect but this seems to be typical of all things Canadian. I don't know why. I don't wish to nitpick but I'd like to point out Mr. Marinoni hasn't built all of those 30,000 frames. That an average of over 1071 frames per year. This isn't humanly possible for one human. I have no doubt Marinoni has built his fair share of frames but 30,000 is too high. Marinoni is a company with employees much like Serotta. Ben Serotta has built his fair share of frames but I wouldn't say that the company's annual production should continue to be added to the sum of frames actually built by Ben.
As you mentioned earlier, the Japanese don't get their due respect. Contemporary builders like Toei and Hirose aren't on most US consumers radars.
Curt Goodrich
Minneapolis, MN