I started setting up electric guitars & basses in 1970.
I was teaching bass guitar lessons & had done all my own repair work.
I didn't refret or refinish-I had no idea yet as to how to do that work.
I got a set of nut files from Ibanez-they were great for
nut slotting-most factory guitars (all string instruments)
had a painful nut slot height.
& fret leveling, into, and cleaning electronics.
Replacing tuners with the "NEW" 10mm German ones!
reglue some bridges-I was taught to heat the bridge with a lamp
to do this-of course protecting the finish with foil or thick paperboard.
Got the deep 6" clamps then -still have them.
Then I got a job teaching lessons in a big music store &
was also working the floor to sell & show guitars.
Well new ones from the factories in the 70s needed
into, truss rod, bridge &nut slot adjustments so players could
play them & like them.
Then one day a guy walked in with an acoustic guitar he had made .
The light bulb (lust) for making a guitar just hit me like a rock.
NO MORE PLAYING IN BARS-ETC.......
I went to see Charles Fox in Vt.
gave him a deposit & went to his classes in the fall of 77.
Made a great guitar with his & George Morris's showing &
explaining along the way.
I left there &have made guitars ever since.
I've been lucking enough to be a player-it helps
to know if the set-up is right!
I played out till 1986.
met many famous players &played in great places with incredible
musicians.
Mike
sorry to make a story here!
