Official Luthiers Forum!

You know, I am supposed to be retired.... But I seem to be busy nearly all the time.

I'd like to work on my own projects, and try to keep up with my regular repair work, but these other stores keep calling me to do more. The cheapo student stuff is no fun at all, and I hate to charge a lot when stores are sending me work by the truckload. But there is only so much you can do with horrible, wretched pieces of crap like Johnsons, Lunas, and the like.

I will gladly work on cheap stuff, even old junk - but I dislike crap. My old adage was "You can't polish a turd". But a store owner recently told me I could roll it in glitter....

So I'll be glad when Christmas is over and I can get back to business as usual. Next year, I'll tell them no, and let someone else do the dirty work.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

You probably didn't intent this, but that line about "no...but you can roll it in glitter" really made me smile. Trust me, my friend, the business world is full of people who want this kind of fix--regardless of the the specific business we might be discussing. This stuff is not confined to luthiery.

This is some of the busiest time of year for us too but we have the pleasure of direct, personal contact with our clients.

Sometimes knowing who you are helping to reach their musical goals can make a turd, even a glittery one.... more palatable......

Sometimes not so much.....

For several years we did contract work for a music store where we did not have eyes on in the triage process or any direct contact with the customer. That completely sucked and I can relate Chris.

Folks who did not know what they were talking about or what the possibilities actually might be were setting expectations for all concerned incorrectly.... Everyone lost in the process.

Writing up a set-up that should have been a neck reset just does not make anyone a happy camper...

I've actually been really slow the last month and would almost welcome anything at this point. Funny thing is, it was always about a month after Xmas that the Wal*Mart gift guitars would start rolling in for repairs at the music stores. We'd basically have to tell customers that it's not even worth fixing.

Back when my shop was in the music store the parents of students would ask about cheap stuff, or bring in something they bought at a pawn shop. I always recommended they buy a quality used guitar rather than a shiny new POS. If they complained about spending too much if the kids didn't stick with it, I would point out that cheapo stuff was hard to play and sounded like crap - and THAT'S why the kid stops playing. Buy something that plays well and sounds good - they'll stick with it. Also, if they buy something used - it's already depreciated, and they can easily recoup their money by selling it, or trading for something else. You wouldn't think we had to educate the public on a frequent basis, but it became a part of surviving in the biz.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Yup we used to use the same exact pitch. And it wasn't even really a pitch, it was the solid truth. It's hard to convince people sometimes that quality is actually cheaper.

Tell it, brother. My dad freaks out because my Tshirt brand is over $20. But mine last for 10 years or more, and the 3 for $10 crap he gets at WalMart lasts 2 years tops.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I could not agree with you guys, Chris and JF more. Junk DOES cost more!!!

Chris you are spot on about why folks may not stick with something. Give them a POS that has action high enough to slice hard boiled eggs and who would stick with it....

What's next for us, just after Christmas is "crack season..." This is when folks learn about humidification the hard way and we stock up on and sell tons of Oasis humidifiers as well.

I'd heard a story about Woody Guthrie spending several hundred dollars for Arlo's first guitar. His wife had a hissy about it, but Woody replied "If you buy him a bad guitar, that's how he'll play it".

Chris - Sounds like the old supply and demand issue. You just need to raise your prices so the junk goes away and you have more time.

And I only buy Gold Toe socks for the same reason as your tee shirts Chris. They last longer.

If I hear one more verse of Randolff the redneck peckerwood , im gonna take something ouuuuuuuuttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!

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The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
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Personally, I'm ready for April, but here's one to bring some chore into your hearts...

Stuttered a lot when I was younger...

Hey what kind of spruce is that?

Nice pic, very lovely.

Minnesota...
Was a 2005-6 Christmas blizzard.

I'll bet that tree is pretty nervous...... I know the ones in my yard are paranoid as hell.....

That means those trees are 10 years bigger by now

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Yes, and it's still park land...