Choosing
a Repair Tech
Hi,
my name is Greg Wilson, and I am a luthier. I have been repairing,
and restoring guitars since I was a child. Some of my clients have
been Dave Mason, Nazareth, The Tubes, America, Randy Bachman, BTO,
Molly Hatchet, Foghat, Blue Oyster cult, Autograph, Toronto, and Frank
Soda. This is a partial list, over the last 30 years i have repaired
thousands of guitars for amateurs, and professionals.
The topic for todays tech tip is how to choose your repairman. First,
make sure the guy can play! How can a repairman work on your guitar
if he can't play? Next, avoid someone who is fresh out of school for
luthiery. Let him practice on his own time. A repairman should have
knowledge of the particular guitar he or she is working on. How can
you restore an instrument if you don't know the models history? If
your repairman has not apprenticed with a reputable luthier, run,
don't walk out of there with your axe! After many years of repairing
on my own, I studied with master luthier Mike Zimmerman at Downtown
Music in Toronto for 2 years after which, I hung out my own shingle.
There are far too many so called guitar techs that think they can
repair guitars and just don't have the skill or training. Remember,
just because they work in a music store does not necessarily mean
that they are qualified repairmen. Ask to see an example of their
work, and remember if the repair is too cheap (ie, a frett dress for
$40) that should tell you that this guy is learning how to do it on
your guitar. It takes many years for a repairman to build a reputation.
Ask around, talk to pro players, find out who works on their axes,
or call Mark or Bob at Northland Music and I will do it. Later dudes
I got to straighten a neck on a '56 strat! -----Greg (Big Willy) Wilson.
