TogaMan GuitarViols needs your help!

Though most people don’t know what a TogaMan GuitarViol is--it is a massively used (specialty stringed instrument) in the film TV and game composing industry. The familiar “sound you know!” in too many TV and film scores to list!

The events of the last five years have resulted in an impossible situation for one of the industry’s favorite instrument makers!

The GOAL of this (go fund me) is to:

1) KEEP THE DOORS OPEN

2) Fulfill “owed” backlog caught in the riptide

3) Hire some help, bounce back, and sustain the operation and brand

For many people in the TV film soundtrack industry, the existence of the GuitarViol has been integral for many major film TV and game scores! For 22 years! (and counting). However, Jonathan Wilson and his firm have endured a “perfect storm” and need help to bounce back!

The ironic component to this backstory is that Jonathan spent the last eight years (pre pandemic era) working on the new 10x model meant for being able to repeat and keep up with typical long cycles of demand. The goal of which is to better serve the buying public.

However, this was IMPACTED by major DISRUPTIONS:

• An unplanned move/relocation of my business (forced by Fillmore City Hall red tape)

• major shift in Labor codes

• long time logistics eliminated

• multiple website sabotages, false Google closures

• huge rent increases, and moments later...

• COVID = more layers of logistical delays, chaos, diminishing new sales inputs, supply chain nightmares, and dramatic change in consumer spending priorities

• followed by multiple film industry strikes, etc.

The widening gap of previously reliable revenue created an unsustainable and impossible situation! At present, Mr. Wilson is left holding the bag and the very real possibility of having to CLOSE SHOP and regroup (if certain fires are not put out).

All of this happening at the zenith of his work!

The new composite models (initially carbon fiber) now made of Hemp, have been recognized in Composites World magazine! The new models are at the top of the technological game and are the most responsive! For those who appreciate the value that Jonathan‘s creations (GuitarViols) continue to bring to the world, this is an opportunity to help keep it alive and, ultimately moving forward with the next chapter!

Should this storm be weathered, the next chapter would likely include new “on brand” model variants, violins, guitars, cellos etc. A multimedia modern string instrument company with career and equity opportunities to attract the best talent for the team. However this may also include relocating (across-the-board) with the implications of both shop and living for the creator of the GuitarViol, and family life.

The immediate goal is (of course) to STAY OPEN and continue to serve the specialized genre of cinematic music and beyond!

This is a humbling situation (to put it mildly!)

I deeply appreciate any help! I did not see any of this coming!

Most sincerely,

Jonathan Wilson

Inventor of the TogaMan GuitarViol