Suggestions on becoming a tech whisperer for one's assembly?

[musicispeace]

Almost at the point of assembly on my first Warmoth project, a black HSS strat/maple neck/rosewood board and Bare Knuckle pickups. I am having a luthier/tech with about 40 years experience do the assembly and set up for me but have to say I am taken aback at how even very, very experienced techs I have talked to (or tried to talk to) are not familiar with things like a Wilkinson tremolo (one pulled out a vintage Fender trem and asked me if it was anything like that), the more well known of the contemporary custom pickup makers ect. And despite offering a "consultant fee" for 20 minutes of time to discuss things (because people don't do that or don't have time) I have had to have follow up discussions after emails or gotten no response to emails. Now I feel the guy I am utilizing for this time will do a professional job but does anyone have any suggestions for next time? Its a little frustrating. Suggestions are welcome.

 

[mrpinter]

Forty years experience? Maybe find a younger tech! (I'm half serious). At least find someone who has done a number of other Warmoth builds, as well as having a well rounded experience working on (or making) electric guitars. I don't know where you are located, but if you're not in a major city you might have to find someone to do your work and ship the finished product to you.

Assembling a "partscaster" properly requires some skill and experience, but it is not brain surgery. You surely shouldn't have to explain the difference between different kinds of readily available and popular types of tremolos to someone qualified to do your job - or pay for "consulting time" to explain and describe your special instructions for the build, for that matter.

Good luck.

 

[musicispeace]

Thanks mrprinter. Very good points. Next build I think I will cast a wider geographic net to evaluate potential techs and be open to shipping. The 40 year kind of thing seems like it can work for you or against you depending on the person. If they have that much relevant and applicable experience that is great but if they are viewing gear through a lens about even with 1985 then its not so great. In the present case this person has done a lot on, with, and to electric guitars and is familiar with Warmoth, which is good. I will still have to clarify that the pickups are a planned, intended, balanced set made, essentially, to order so are a step ahead of what people did with modded strats several years ago. I don't understand not keeping abreast of one's industry. The other really qualified guy where I live is so into real vintage guitars that he seems to not be staying informed of current gear for probably that reason and won't discuss pickups. (Too subjective of a subject is what I believe the viewpoint was) Thanks for the reality check that I'm not crazy in the quest for a little customer service and being up to date with some of the present and common components on the market. Techs, please don't live in caves and make time to talk to people. You'll get more business.

 

[rapfohl09]

Not to just offer his services without his own consent, but if you are starting to think the shipping it off route, I have gotten necks with work done by Cagey and they were fantastic. I am shipping my soloist that I am building currently for him to put the finishing touches on set up wise.

 

[Cagey]

Thank you for the kind words. I do enjoy the work, and would be more than happy to look at this.

 

[bagman67]

Plus one on the Cagey recommendation.  He built my Quty Pie from components and she's a dilly - including, by the way, the spot-on setup on the Wilky VS100 twangle bar.


Bagman

 

[musicispeace]

Cagey has been nothing short of a true Jedi to ask advice of. If I have any issues with the finishing up of this project I'll take up that offer. For my next build in a year or so I will happily contact to discuss an arrangement and shipping if time and interest permit on his end. Can't say enough about this community here, thanks and best to all of you.