| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) These are the most common questions asked, compiled from the last couple of years. There are other common questions, such as "What happened to your hair?" and "Why do you smell like paint?". I have chosen to leave those out :) |
| How did you get into the repair business? I learned by working on my own guitars when I was younger. After a while, I worked on friends guitars and basses, and word gets around. I read a lot. There are some great resources out there for building and repairing stringed instruments. How much will my repair cost/ How long will it take? I will give you a cost and time estimate on your repair, usually after a thorough exam. If there are any reasons for additional work/cost/tikme, I will contact you before proceeding. Some jobs take longer than others. Finish work can require a few weeks, just so the finish can dry. Formal estimates can be supplied upon request. What is my guitar worth? Is the repair worth doing? Sometimes a repair can exceed the value of the instrument. In such cases, I try to inform you that it may be better to purchase a new instrument, or have less work done. Many people have emotional attachment to an instrument that outweighs its monetary value. Don't feel bad that your instruments Blue Book value isn't a fortune. Most instruments don't appreciate in value. If you like it, that is all that matters. Will the repair be visible? Can you make the bad spot go away? In some cases, I can make a repair invisible. In others, there is no practical way to make it disappear. It is very much case-specific. I will tell you up front whether the repair will be visible. If a repair is visible, I like it to look clean and neat, so that it at least looks like a quality job. Even if it is visible, it should look good. What is the best Guitar to buy? What is the best starter guitar? Should I buy a Brand X? A very tough question. Here is my best advice: First, go to local shop and try out different instruments. Talk with the sales people. Find out what you like and don't like. Most of the guitars on the market are of reasonable quality and construction. Check for a warranty on new instruments, and deal with shops that will stand behind what they sell. Second, don't let price lead you into selection. Buy what you can afford, and learn to play it. A $6000.00 guitar is likely to be a great instrument, but I have seen a number of musicians work magic on $500 imports. Practice is of more value than money, believe me. My girlfriend ran my vintage axe through a chipper shredder. I think I found all the pieces. Can you fix it? No, not even with all the pieces. I left my guitar in a hot/ cold car? What should I do? Bring the guitar into the house and let it cool down/ warm up on its own. Do not force it to warm up or cool off, as this will increase the potential for damage. If the guitar is in its case, leave it in the case for a few hours until it comes to room temperature. Once it has come to temperature, check it over for cracks and splits. Make sure that it will still tune-up and the action hasn't changed. Extreme temperatures are harder on acoustic guitars than solid body electrics. Avoid this, and attic storage, at all costs. |