Conference napalm::guitar

    I wouldn't know Richard Stanley if I fell over him, and I don't
    think that I ever saw any of his work.  But when I used to check
    out places like the Record Garage (didn't sell records) in Cambridge,
    he was always THE guy to have work on your guitar.  Guitar ads in the Want
    Advertiser, etc used to say "customized by Richard Stanley."
    
    I can also recommend Dave Pierce, who works out of Russo Music in
    Lowell. I have known Dave for a long time, and I'll be the first one to
    admit that he isn't the most reliable guy in the world. He is the kind
    of guy that you can't drag to work and once he gets there he won't
    leave.  But, he does very nice work, especially custom electronics.  He
    designed and built a preamp for my guitar that has worked great for > 6
    years.  I have also seen him do nice work on a tele and his own Les
    Paul was a work of art. 
    
    Don't go to him in a hurry, though.
    
    Kevin 

    In Colorado Springs, my rec. is Duane Waterman.  He's a fine
    iunstrument maker and a really nice person.  He's worked on my wife's
    guitar and her harp.  Next (he doesn't know this yet), he'll get
    to fix a tuning peg on an autoharp.
    
    There have been several write-ups of his guitars in Frets and GP.
    He's also the treasurer (?) of the Guild of American Luthiers.
    
    BobW
    

    
    I second the recommendation of Rich Stanley. He worked on my Gibson
    Lucille model and now it plays like a dream. He's a bit pricey but
    what's money when it comes to Lucille?
    
    Rob

    I'm currently waiting to see the results of taking my strat to the
    vintage Fretshop in Ashland NH...this guy David something-or-other
    is rumored to be one of the best in the country..I recall reading
    about him in a book or a magazine when I lived in California ten
    years ago...at any rate his quote was pricy but...it's my favorite
    guitar...other folks I know who have used his services in the past
    (to repair a snapped off headstock on an acoustic) said that the
    work was flawless ie: undetectable...
    
    We'll see
    
    db2

    	I would have to second the vote for Duane Waterman in the
    Colorado Springs area. He has set up all of my electrics. (Gibsons
    and one Fender) For my acoustics I have used John Ramsey at the
    Folklore Center on Tejon Street downtown. John does excellent repair
    work on any kind of acoustic string instruments.
    
    Duane Waterman (719)473-8444
    
    John Ramsey    (719)634-2228
    
    
    
    
    DonH

    Well, oddly enough I entrusted my ole Carvin DC 200 Koa to Steve
    at EU Wurlitzer's in Boston.
    
    Just got it back Saturday and am really pleased with the work.
    
    I had a difficult problem with the neck such that the truss rod
    couldn't do what it was supposed to.  FIXED.
    
    I was having some intonation problems in certain ranges.  FIXED
    (by recrowning certain frets, saved me the cost of refretting,
    not to mention the agony of dealing with what inevitably ends up
    to be different feeling frets.
    
    The Kahler unit was not staying in tune.  FIXED.  Haven't tuned it
    much more than a slight nudge since I got it back.  Am having great
    fun doing all those agressive bar things that I couldn't do before
    without going out of tune.
    
    We're also waiting for plating on a new nutlock that doesn't require
    me to walk around with an allen wrench set.
    
    He also just noticed a few things wrong and cleaned em up.
    
    Anyway, the guitar "feels" and plays just like I remembered the day I
    first took it out of the box.  I can't believe I dealt with these
    problems for so long.  I was beginning to hate the thing.  Now,
    I'm back in love with it again.
    
    	db

    
    One more recommendation for Richard Stanley.  I brought my Epiphone
    12-string to him for a neck adjustment and installation of a pickup.
    He made the adjustments he saw necessary, and installed a Fishman
    (which I understand is the same as a Martin Thinliner) and I got
    the guitar back THE NEXT DAY.  It plays like a dream now, the action
    is fantastic!!!  I think I need to get a hardshell case for it now,
    its a beautiful guitar to begin with (far better than your average
    Epiphone), but with the extra work put into it, deserves to be in a 
    real case.  I payed a premium, but didn't mind at all, I wanted
    the work done right.  Now the guitar has optimum action.
    
    Dave
    
    

    
    I just realized I hadn't replied to this note.
    
    Another vote for Richard Stanley. Nice guy, great work, no BS! As said
    before a little pricey but when you want it done right the first
    time....
    
    Buck 

    
    I haven't visited this file in a while, and I hate to break the flow,
    but I wasn't happy with some work I had done by him, guess it was 1974.
    I think he can be inconsistent at times, I think ego can get in his
    way.  I've seen him do some incredible work, experimental work, and
    very lazy, ugly work that I had to have re-done.  
    

    Any words on Haverhill Music for repair work?  I forget the guy's
    name, but he's currently going over my guitar.  Thanks.
    
    John

    re .-1

    I don't know about their work, but I'll bet it'll be expensive.
    Just take a look at their inventory; everything damn near list price.
    A little place like that just can't compete with the larger chain
    stores. 
    
    If you want general repair or set-up work done in the Haverhill
    area, try Alex Genealous(sp?) in Amesbury. I can get his number
    if you want. 
    
    Dan

Can anybody recommend a guitarsmith in or near Southampton, U.K.?

I have a Guild CA-100 which needs some fret work and touching up of the
action. Since it's the only left-hand cutaway archtop I've ever seen,
I'd like to be sure it's well taken care of.

All replies gratefully received.

Thanks.

    
    RE: .10
    
    Do you mean Richard Stanley?  Be specific.  What did he do that had to
    be redone?  Did he refuse to make corrections?  What was it you wanted
    done in the first place?  What was the "very lazy, ugly work" that you
    "had to have re-done"??  I've always known Richard to be meticulous,
    even as far back as 1974. 
        
    	- tony -
    

    anybody ever heard of a Thomas Knatt in Concord Mass?  He builds
    violins/cello's does repairs on guitars.  I may need some serious
    neck work done (high spot on the upper fretboard) and was wondering
    if anyone's dealt with him?
    
    paul
    
    

    
    I dropped my Les Paul off at MacDuff's Music to have some neck work
    done.  I have what looks to be a high fret, but I'll be darned if I
    can see where it's high.  Might also be a high spot on the fretboard.
    
    Anyway, this is my first time dealing with Rich, so we'll see how it
    goes.
    
    Kevin
    

    
    Re: -1
    
    $15 bucks later the high spot is gone, neck is adjusted, intonation
    set, and the guitar plays great.  Support this guy, he does nice work.
    
    Kevin