General Music Chat

No, I don't have a personal tech

I do take all my guitars to one specific person though.. I used to do my own setups, intonations, neck adjustments, and while I can take a guitar that's all outta whack and make it better, I can't do it on the level that a true pro can.

So this is my public appreciation thread to the people behind the musicians- be it sound guys, instrument techs, whoever it is that makes my/your job easier For me, the best guitar tech in the world is Beth at Penn Ave Music (mom & pop store) in Reading PA. She's done a bang-up job on every mutt and dysfunctional axe I ever brought thru the door, and charges very little compared to big box stores (who frankly do a really crappy job).

Beth I hear you callin, but I cant bring my axe right now, see me and the boys are playing and it just wont stay in tune, just a few more hours, and I'll bring it home to you, but for now Im outta tune, Beth what can I do?

I have a "mom n pop" shop that does my work as well.

I only take my guitars to 2 people. When you by a new guitar and they say we'll tweak it and set it up per your preferences. I say don't bother, in fact I insist you don't! i'll take the guitar to my guys and PAY them to do it. When I tell the sales people that I get that confused look, you know the one your dog gives when he cocks his head at a 15 degree angle LOL! the next question is well who do you take it to? Answer= Mr. Stringer at Guitar Stringer local music store in "Pasa-git down-dena Tx. or Ronnie Pace of Pace guitars. After telling them the answer I ALWAYS get Cool those guys are AWESOME!

Cisco either takes his to Renato, the guy who made both of his guitars or he takes them to Doc - meaning Guitar Doctor, who's a really sweet and fair guy.

http://www.guitardoctor.net/

Chaeya

Since a wacky fellow called 'Dr. Yes' disappeared off my radar I've met a talented guitar technician called Michael Barrett at Guitar Repair in Duluth GA. He turned my very nice strat into a super duper, humdinger of a daggone guitar.

He'll be seeing to my bass next.

Talbot

If there are any real 'docs' around here who charge minimal amount, I haven't heard of them. As GC charges $75 and may or may not do a good job (depending on which store it is), the local *experts* all charge at least $85 and many will only work on particular brands now.
That's why I learned to do my own work, for set ups at least.

I'm lucky. I do all my setups as well as setups for a good many other musicians in this area.

I had to learn to do setups because Gibson did such a crappy job on my personal guitars. I did setup work for most of the music stores in the area for many years. For that reason that I can take a standard el cheapo Fender Strat 6 hole vibrato and allow it to remain in tune with heavy usage.

Musicians as far away as Kansas city and Chicago used to drive to Iowa to get their gear setup and repaired at my shop. Funny, I used to really like doing that. Now it seems like a major pain for me to cut a nut and top the frets. I just want to play them.