Daily Guitar Repair Blog

OK,  It is done.

Here is Andrew picking it up ready to show us how it is done.  24 frets per octave is not for everyone.

We were asked to add a second set of frets calibrated to quarter tone intervals to the existing frets.  Lucky for us we have a computer controlled mill (plek) we can program to cut the fret slots.   Notice the 2nd to last fret is left clear to make it easy to play the last note on the neck.

Problem…….Perfectly nice vintage guitar, no mods have been done and the volume control will not work, even after repeated cleaning.  2nd problem, the carbon resistance element that the wiper tracks on has worn through.  Good News!  The carbon element is wide enough so you can bend the wiper to track a deferent line on the element so it will sound and work like new.  Other good news, to do all of this the only solder connection you have to break to open the pot and repair it is the one lug that is soldered back to the case.  It is also possible to reach into the pot through the gap and bend the wiper that way but that is even more risky and tricky.

What You Are Seeing….

Before we start, maybe not perfect but looking good..  We want to change to smallest amount.

By lifting the lug that goes to ground the pot can be opened up leaving all the wires attached.

These are the wiper contacts, good time to clean them.  NOW…Very slow and careful, bend them to the side a little to match up to a clean spot on the resistor.

The Black circular piece you see in the resistor.  There is a worn area where the wiper has tracked for 50ish years.  I bent the wiper to find a clean area.

All the crimps are crimped and back to working order

Going back in, worked like a charm!  Only 1 solder connection changed by me.                The ground lug

We invited anyone within ears reach to come have their  ears custom molded for ear filters.  A few people showed up and Lisa from Musician’s Hearing Service came by to save our ears.  No pain and done.  Here are a few peeps…

Victim # 1......

Rob all filled up, That's Lisa prepping for ear # 2..

OK,. You do not really drink the pink stuff and it really does not come out your ear...

The Doctor’s Tool Kit!!.

Custom Earplug Casting, THIS SATURDAY !!!!!   2/4/12

This Saturday 2/4/12 Lisa Tannenbaum from Musician’s Hearing Service will be at the shop making custom earplugs for a few of us.   If anyone wants to get in on the action, the cost is about $185 and you can pick the amount of hearing reduction you want.   These are the best filters available.  Lisa has protected the hearing of the who’s who of the music business for years.  A well known audio engineer I was talking with said he was able to listen to live shows again and enjoy the music by being able to hear the entire sonic spectrum.  The old foam plugs leave you with only low rumble and mush, he said the filters allow all the music to come through.   I am looking forward to the new plugs!!!

If you are interested just come down to the shop at 2pm.

Or Call or email to let us know you are coming.    415-621-3904

Click here for Lisa’s info and what she does    Musician’s Hearing Service