Is it legal for me to open a guitar repair shop?

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Josh Watso

Well, when I turn 14 I would like to open up a guitar repair shop in my basement. Would that be legal?

Answer
Not if you're 14. If you open a "shop", you need to be old enough to file taxes, get the proper Business licences, register yourself... So no.

You can, however, tell people if they pay you you'll fix their guitars or anyone they know who has one.

But you can't open an actual "business" at 14. (Assuming you're in the US)

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Where can I have my Epiphone Guitar repaired here in the Philippines?

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Simon Viga

I'm from the Philippines and my friend accidentally broke the hole for the cord to connect to the amplifier (I don't know is that thing... Can I have it repaired on any guitar repair shop here or do I need to find an Epiphone service center here? please help...

Answer
Surely there is a music store in the Philippines. If there is one, take the guitar to a shop and have someone in there fix it.

Also, if nobody can fix it, order the parts online and do it yourself. Just search how on the internet.

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how long does it take to repair a small crack on the body of a acoustic guitar?

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abceeca

i took it to a guitar repair service almost 3 weeks ago and i keep getting the same answer every few days i call...they are still humidifying it. the thing must be water-logged by now. i wouldn't bother them if they hadn't told me that it would take them a few days to repair it. anybody know how long it takes to re-humidify a guitar that came from a humid area to begin with new brunswick canada.

Answer
not very long, and definitely not 3 weeks, your getting the run around, most likely a Guitar Center or the likes where they send it out to a luthier for repair as there techs can barley do a set up let alone a repair, this is where I start throwing crap into the fan, but I have a local luthier and don't have that problem, as he will tell me if he's backed up and it may be awhile instead of giving me some lame excuse. yours probably got lost in shipping and there blowing a smoke screen to buy some time to see if they can find it.

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How much do places charge to re-string a guitar?

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ali salced

I have this old-ish black fender acoustic guitar

I wanna learn to play it
But it's missing like all the strings
How much would a guitar repair shop charge me?

Answer
You are actually asking several questions, although you may not know it. Let me try to answer them.

First, if all you want to do, or all your guitar needs is a new set of strings, most shops will put them on the guitar for free (you just pay for the strings) if you come in at a slow time (mid-morning or mid-afternoon, but NEVER on a Saturday) and ask, politely. Being a beginner, you will do fine with a set of strings that cost under $5.00.

There is, however, a very good chance your guitar will need much more than just a set of strings. It being neglected and stored God-knows where and how for quite some time, could have lead to some storage or age-related deterioration. The saddle (thin, plastic or bone piece, fits in a slot on the bridge) may have fallen out and been lost; the nut (up by the tuners, a comb-like piece that separates the strings) could have popped off, too. Even the "floating" bridge on some guitars is not glued on, it, too could have been lost. No way to play it without these pieces- but the good news is none of them is going to be expensive to replace.

Some of the glue joints inside the guitar may have let go, due to heat or low/high humidity during storage. This could get expensive- get an estimate of repair before you proceed, I would not spend more than about $50 to 75 for repairs.

Fender acoustic guitars are neither collectable, vintage, or particularly valuable, (not even the ones made thirty years ago- Fender never saw fit to put much workmanship or value into their acoustics) but it could still be a good "player," and really, guitars were made to be PLAYED, not collected and put under glass. Yours, being black, is probably not more than about ten years old- good luck getting it playable again, and have fun learning to play the guitar.

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Are there any good books about guitar repair?

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Crash

I want to start saving money instead of going to the guitar repair shop, so, as a guitarist of 9 years, I want to start repairing my guitar. Are there any good books that i could go to Barnes and Nobles and buy? just a side note; I want one that solves more complicated problems rather than simple ones because i know how to repair most of the simple predicaments.

Answer
Guitar Player Repair Guide.
From beginner repairs to repsirs you thought you needed a luthier for.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Building_and_repair:_Guitar,_electric/Guitar_Player_Repair_Guide.html

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Are there any good books about guitar repair?

guitar repair image

Crash

I want to start saving money instead of going to the guitar repair shop, so, as a guitarist of 9 years, I want to start repairing my guitar. Are there any good books that i could go to Barnes and Nobles and buy? just a side note; I want one that solves more complicated problems rather than simple ones because i know how to repair most of the simple predicaments.

Answer
Guitar Player Repair Guide.
From beginner repairs to repsirs you thought you needed a luthier for.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Building_and_repair:_Guitar,_electric/Guitar_Player_Repair_Guide.html

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Where can I have my Epiphone Guitar repaired here in the Philippines?

guitar repair image

Simon Viga

I'm from the Philippines and my friend accidentally broke the hole for the cord to connect to the amplifier (I don't know is that thing... Can I have it repaired on any guitar repair shop here or do I need to find an Epiphone service center here? please help...

Answer
Surely there is a music store in the Philippines. If there is one, take the guitar to a shop and have someone in there fix it.

Also, if nobody can fix it, order the parts online and do it yourself. Just search how on the internet.

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Is it legal for me to open a guitar repair shop?

guitar repair image

Josh Watso

Well, when I turn 14 I would like to open up a guitar repair shop in my basement. Would that be legal?

Answer
Not if you're 14. If you open a "shop", you need to be old enough to file taxes, get the proper Business licences, register yourself... So no.

You can, however, tell people if they pay you you'll fix their guitars or anyone they know who has one.

But you can't open an actual "business" at 14. (Assuming you're in the US)

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how long does it take to repair a small crack on the body of a acoustic guitar?

guitar repair image

abceeca

i took it to a guitar repair service almost 3 weeks ago and i keep getting the same answer every few days i call...they are still humidifying it. the thing must be water-logged by now. i wouldn't bother them if they hadn't told me that it would take them a few days to repair it. anybody know how long it takes to re-humidify a guitar that came from a humid area to begin with new brunswick canada.

Answer
not very long, and definitely not 3 weeks, your getting the run around, most likely a Guitar Center or the likes where they send it out to a luthier for repair as there techs can barley do a set up let alone a repair, this is where I start throwing crap into the fan, but I have a local luthier and don't have that problem, as he will tell me if he's backed up and it may be awhile instead of giving me some lame excuse. yours probably got lost in shipping and there blowing a smoke screen to buy some time to see if they can find it.

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Would it be a good idea to add a jazz pickup to my precision bass guitar?

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Edguardo

I like the tone of basses with a P+J pickup configuration, but I don't want to buy a whole new instrument. How much do you think a guitar repair store would charge for this modification? Would there be a lot of hum from the single coil pickup? Before you tell me to call and ask, the ones near me aren't open currently.

Answer
$200

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How do you test vacuum tubes?

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rawk_chawk

I have a Motorola console hi-fi from the 60's that uses vacuum tubes in its amplifier. The right channel is starting to cut out and waver in volume. I suspect one of the tubes is starting to become weak, but I have no way of telling which one it is without buying lots of expensive replacement tubes. I've tried every electronics and guitar repair shop in town and nobody owns a tube tester or even knows where to find one anymore. My question is: Can vacuum tubes be tested at home with a multimeter?

Answer
No, vacuum tubes cannot be tested with a multimeter. You need to apply operating voltages to them in order to test their operation. The heater needs to get hot to emit electrons, the grid needs voltage applied and the plate needs B+.

If you want to keep and use the hi-fi, you might have to have your tubes tested by mail. The link below might be of help. They seem to offer tube testing. If you do it, just send them all in. It's pointless to replace one tube if another is going to go bad in a few months.

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Is there an easy way to get rid of fret buzz?

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AtreyuXfor

My electric guitar has a lot of fret buzz on the 6th 5th and I think 4th string. I've only been playing for a few years, so I don't know much about guitar repair. I have my guitar lessons in a few days, so should I just wait until then, or is there an easy way that I can solve the problem myself?

Answer
In my experience the two most common causes for this are:
* Your action is too low (ie, the strings are too close to the fretboard).
* or the neck has some bad curvature and needs adjustment (via the truss rod).

If you think your action might be too low, look online for instructions for adjusting it for your particular guitar type (it varies depending on type of guitar). For example, on a Les Paul you just need to raise the bridge with the two screws on either side of it. Then, obviously, you need to get it tuned back up, and re-adjust the intonation.

If this doesn't help, or you're pretty sure this isn't the problem, wait until you go to your lesson. Don't try to adjust the truss rod or do any other drastic changes.
Ask your instructor to take a look at it. Be sure to ask and watch what they do, so you can know for future reference.

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Would it be a good idea to add a jazz pickup to my precision bass guitar?

guitar repair image

Edguardo

I like the tone of basses with a P+J pickup configuration, but I don't want to buy a whole new instrument. How much do you think a guitar repair store would charge for this modification? Would there be a lot of hum from the single coil pickup? Before you tell me to call and ask, the ones near me aren't open currently.

Answer
$200

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how long does it take to repair a small crack on the body of a acoustic guitar?

guitar repair image

abceeca

i took it to a guitar repair service almost 3 weeks ago and i keep getting the same answer every few days i call...they are still humidifying it. the thing must be water-logged by now. i wouldn't bother them if they hadn't told me that it would take them a few days to repair it. anybody know how long it takes to re-humidify a guitar that came from a humid area to begin with new brunswick canada.

Answer
not very long, and definitely not 3 weeks, your getting the run around, most likely a Guitar Center or the likes where they send it out to a luthier for repair as there techs can barley do a set up let alone a repair, this is where I start throwing crap into the fan, but I have a local luthier and don't have that problem, as he will tell me if he's backed up and it may be awhile instead of giving me some lame excuse. yours probably got lost in shipping and there blowing a smoke screen to buy some time to see if they can find it.

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How much do places charge to re-string a guitar?

guitar repair image

ali salced

I have this old-ish black fender acoustic guitar

I wanna learn to play it
But it's missing like all the strings
How much would a guitar repair shop charge me?

Answer
You are actually asking several questions, although you may not know it. Let me try to answer them.

First, if all you want to do, or all your guitar needs is a new set of strings, most shops will put them on the guitar for free (you just pay for the strings) if you come in at a slow time (mid-morning or mid-afternoon, but NEVER on a Saturday) and ask, politely. Being a beginner, you will do fine with a set of strings that cost under $5.00.

There is, however, a very good chance your guitar will need much more than just a set of strings. It being neglected and stored God-knows where and how for quite some time, could have lead to some storage or age-related deterioration. The saddle (thin, plastic or bone piece, fits in a slot on the bridge) may have fallen out and been lost; the nut (up by the tuners, a comb-like piece that separates the strings) could have popped off, too. Even the "floating" bridge on some guitars is not glued on, it, too could have been lost. No way to play it without these pieces- but the good news is none of them is going to be expensive to replace.

Some of the glue joints inside the guitar may have let go, due to heat or low/high humidity during storage. This could get expensive- get an estimate of repair before you proceed, I would not spend more than about $50 to 75 for repairs.

Fender acoustic guitars are neither collectable, vintage, or particularly valuable, (not even the ones made thirty years ago- Fender never saw fit to put much workmanship or value into their acoustics) but it could still be a good "player," and really, guitars were made to be PLAYED, not collected and put under glass. Yours, being black, is probably not more than about ten years old- good luck getting it playable again, and have fun learning to play the guitar.

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Is there an easy way to get rid of fret buzz?

guitar repair image

AtreyuXfor

My electric guitar has a lot of fret buzz on the 6th 5th and I think 4th string. I've only been playing for a few years, so I don't know much about guitar repair. I have my guitar lessons in a few days, so should I just wait until then, or is there an easy way that I can solve the problem myself?

Answer
In my experience the two most common causes for this are:
* Your action is too low (ie, the strings are too close to the fretboard).
* or the neck has some bad curvature and needs adjustment (via the truss rod).

If you think your action might be too low, look online for instructions for adjusting it for your particular guitar type (it varies depending on type of guitar). For example, on a Les Paul you just need to raise the bridge with the two screws on either side of it. Then, obviously, you need to get it tuned back up, and re-adjust the intonation.

If this doesn't help, or you're pretty sure this isn't the problem, wait until you go to your lesson. Don't try to adjust the truss rod or do any other drastic changes.
Ask your instructor to take a look at it. Be sure to ask and watch what they do, so you can know for future reference.

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Would it be a good idea to add a jazz pickup to my precision bass guitar?

guitar repair image

Edguardo

I like the tone of basses with a P+J pickup configuration, but I don't want to buy a whole new instrument. How much do you think a guitar repair store would charge for this modification? Would there be a lot of hum from the single coil pickup? Before you tell me to call and ask, the ones near me aren't open currently.

Answer
$200

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