Anyone here repair guitars?

[azasadny]

My son has an 80's vintage Fender Precision Bass Lite that he has played for about 6 years that needs several thing repaired (neck truss adjusted, frets rewired, electronics repaired and resoldered, jack reworked, etc...) and we don't know any good guitar techs in our area. The bass is special to us and we want to keep it as original as possible, just fix the "wear and tear" from playing it regularly over the years. I'm not opposed to sending it to someone. Anyone here do this type of work or know someone reputable? Thanks a lot!!

[Rikao4]

don't know if he does repair..
he does build them ...
WolfMccloud..I believe..

Rika

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

don't know if he does repair..
he does build them ...
WolfMccloud..I believe..

Rika

He builds custom pickups but is a great source for a lead.

[Gogar]

I have a great guy out here, but the cost of shipping/return shipping might be enough that you should try locally first.

Good luck!

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

don't know if he does repair..
he does build them ...
WolfMccloud..I believe..

Rika

I used to build at Warmoth doing electric necks and such, and tacoma guitars doing acoustics. then another company, now defunct. Currently I manufacture my own line of electric pickups. I haven't done any repairs for a long, long time, but still could, I'm sure...

The best guy I know is Mike Lull here in Bellevue. mikelull.com Expensive, but worth it. Next would be Randy Parsons at Parsonsguitars.com

You might try the guys at rsguitarworks.net again, good work.

I think I saw that you're in Michigan? Might try the Galloup School of guitar building and repair.... or Mike Koontz...
Dan Erlwine in Ohio.... not sure of the distance, but he's one of the bestest.

[azasadny]

Thanks for the info! I'll be contacting these folks to see if they are interested in this project. Thanks again!

[nostatic]

Here are some suggestions from the talkbass archives concerning MI lutheirs:

Mike Koontz @Koontz guitar repair in Ferndale.
He built the first couple of Bootsy Space Basses back in the day and is reguarded as one of the best in the Metro Detroit area. But his wait times are long. So if it's your only bass, you may want to look elsewhere.

Mark Balish in Berkley- not sure of the name of the shop (it's next to the old Music Stand shop on 12 Mile Rd). I'll find out for you if you would like. PM me tomorrow. Berkley Guitar works maybe??
He's done some fret work for me on my Fodera and did an amazing job. And he is quickly becoming the go to guy for repairs in town.

Tom Palarito- Out near Ann Arbor. Again, I can get you his info.
Roger Sadowsky trusts him to do warranty repair work for him. What does that tell you about the quality of work he does.

Tim @ the Music Castle in Royal Oak.
He does all of my set up work for me. Ask him for the Mike Fredericks set-up and your bass will come back with low action and not a buzz any where around.
But I'm not sure if he would do a de-fret.

[azasadny]

Todd,

Thanks for the "local" recommendations, I really appreciate that!! Dan really wants a MusicMan bass and he may get one of those to play while his Fender is being repaired...

[ramonesfreak]

the repairs you need are pretty routine. most independent music shops have someone on staff or someone they refer work to. i wouldnt go crazy shipping it all over the place to some expert. its not like your having some precise structural repair done to it. the only thing that might be a bit tricky is the refret, but again, thats a fairly routine job for music shops

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by srandallf

the repairs you need are pretty routine.

Yeh, but it's easy to mess up even a "routine" piece of work if a person doesn't really know what they're doing. Fret wrok is as much an art as it is a science...understanding the elliptical orbit of a vibrating string and whether it will clatter or not...just how much relief is needed in the neck, etc.... I've seen some plain awful stuff around these parts.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

He builds custom pickups but is a great source for a lead.

Is that a pun?

[azasadny]

I'm working in Okemos during the week, so I took my son's Fender Precision Bass to Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI (9 miles from my apartment/workplace) today to get it repaired. They are an authorized Fender repair shop with 10 luthiers/repair staff onboard, so I thought they would be the best place to have it repaired. While I was standing there, the tech straightened out the neck, cleaned and tightened up the pots and gave me the estimate to have the guitar refretted, setup with new strings. The whole thing for $165 and it will be ready in 2 weeks. I'm very impressed and happy with the service, so far. I'll let you guys know how it went when I pick up the bass in a few weeks.

[nostatic]

Elderly is a stalwart in the music biz. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[azasadny]

Todd,
Thanks! I know they have a great reputation. I'm getting my son a mandolin for Christmas and I'll be buying it at Elderly's.

[azasadny]

poor quality iPhone camera, but you get the idea...

[Gogar]

+1 that's a fine shop and I'm pretty confident they will do a fine job.

[azasadny]

Thanks! I'm feeling pretty confident. My son's Fender isn't worth anything to anyone buy us and it's his 1st guitar, so that makes it special to us. He wants to get a 5 string MusicMan bass, but he'll keep his P Bass Lite!

[azasadny]

I picked up my son's 1993 Fender Precision Bass Lyte and it looks fantastic, just like new! It was refretted and setup with new strings and truss rod adjusted and Dan is going to love playing it!

I dropped off his Taylor Big Baby and Schecter C+ Classic for setup, adjuxtments and new strings and they will be ready in 2 weeks.

I'm extremely happy with the work that was done and the price was very reasonable! Thanks for everyone's recommendations, I really appreciate it!

[Shuie]

Elderly is a first class shop.

[azasadny]

I'm working about 8 miles from Elderly until May 1st, so I'm taking this opportunity to have them "square-away" all of our guitars. What a great shop and the techs know their stuff, do fantastic work and their prices are very reasonable. I just wish they sold drums!!