History of GTT torches

**Ness** · 03-31-2010, 06:10 PM

Anybody have any idea how these two madmen gained such a good reputation and large market share in the industry?! (Aside from making pimp ass torches)

Also have their torches always looked so sleek and sexy or were there ever any like concept torches that anyone knows of? Anybody have an early run GTT? does it look any different? if so post pics!

And y a purple back? and y do their shirts display a baller torch w a silver manifold like mine? : )

I hear one of the GLDG'ers is married to one of these flame alchemists? any info for us? Any chance u could shed some light on any new GTT ideas that are being cooked up behind the scenes?

I want INFORMATION!
THnx

~J

**Slimy-E** · 03-31-2010, 06:36 PM

I think one of my friends had some of the early ones, but I myself know nothing.

**Fiorino Glass Art** · 03-31-2010, 06:59 PM

Very good question! I wouldn't mind hearing the story!

**LFC** · 03-31-2010, 07:38 PM

at one point they had a design where the hose barbs came out of the bottom of the torch base, they also had one that had a grafite bad on the base two i think... i remeber seeing a picture of loren stump with one of those i will see if i can find it....

**LFC** · 03-31-2010, 07:42 PM

hears the picture i was talking about you can see him marvering on the base of the torch in one pic and it looks like the hoses almost go to the base...

**$$$$$$$** · 03-31-2010, 07:58 PM

I've heard Wally tell the story, it's a very good one.. I'll let them tell it if they want to.. They also had the first GTT ever with them.. its a very little lynx type torch..

**BlueBeard** · 03-31-2010, 08:05 PM

I once asked willy and wally how they got started. it was like a 3 hour long answer. basically they used to work for Bethlehem torches then started their own company. and yeah make a pimp ass torch with excellent customer service. i dont know about prototypes but they would be cool to see if they are out there.

**JennWilson** · 04-01-2010, 12:57 AM

My Dad and I ran into them at a Scientific Glassblowing conference that was in Albuquerque (think back in '97? ). I remember Dad insisting they needed to come over to the house to play around on some torches - I think neither of them had ever really made anything on a torch back then.

I got paid a Lynx for my little segment on their "how to work the torch" video that used to come with the torches - not sure if it still does. I think one of the Lynx's in our studio was supposedly the 3rd they ever made....still running fine.

**jr23** · 04-01-2010, 03:36 AM

How cool was that a new torch for some public demo time.

I have heard the same things as above about the history.

My favorite thing is when you talk to any one at gtt its like talking to REAL people there are no special departments or huge waits on hold with no ryme or reason.

You might find if you give em a call on your next service or order you could ask to get on the single port list.

Those will be cool and give you a reason to chew the fat if they are not so busy.

There was a cold going around when I called a few days ago so a little wait might be good for the prez's voice.

peace

**hashmasta-kut** · 04-01-2010, 06:44 AM

they still send a video out with phantoms and larger.

**themoch** · 04-01-2010, 08:54 AM

here's Lauren's torch up closer... as seen at this year's IFC

**NUBBLET** · 04-01-2010, 02:14 PM

is it a marver on top ? that thing is trippy .

**Ness** · 04-01-2010, 03:01 PM

Yeh that marver is cool! they should still come with a top mounted marver.
~J

**Chris Juedemann** · 04-01-2010, 07:37 PM

Ginseng and Gold. Those are some interesting people. I love that the torches are only one facet of their lives.

The Loren Stump torch in the pictures has a marver base, and the top, where most of us put our marvers, is a padded hand rest to do detail work. Just one of the great things learned at a Loren class. His was burnt to hell from people using it thinking it was a marver.

Chris

**jr23** · 04-02-2010, 04:06 AM

Are you impling they hunt Ginseng and pan for gold too!

I hunt ginseng and wild mushrooms, golden seal too.

We also have a root buyer and he buys up blood root and others

**kbinkster** · 04-02-2010, 10:05 AM

I am the glassworker who is married to Willy, the president of GTT.

Yes, they hunt ginseng and pan for gold, among other things. Ginseng is what kept them afloat at times getting their projects off the ground. They also raise koi and can built amazing ponds. Willy is amazing at stone and rock work. You should see what he did for our front yard.

I have held the prototype Lynx and have seen the first Delta ever built.

Would you like me to tell the story of how they started GTT?