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I'm just trying to compile a list of makers who started out as repairers, or who relied on repair very much at the start of their careers.

It's for an article I'm preparing.

Can you help? Be much appreciated.

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nigel

http://www.theluthierblog.com

Kim Walker started out repairing at Gruhns guitar shop

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!

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Mike Collins

Yeah, but it's a good story!

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

That is a good story Mike. I think John Greven may be another.

Also, Rick Turner. In fact , if my memory recalls when he use to hang out here, no one even had the God given right to attempt building a guitar unless you had done 1500 re frets, 200 neck re sets, replaced 750 nuts and saddles and could re create a guitar with parts dumpster dived from the Martin factory. And possibly wind your own strings.