Good luthier in Tri State area
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Good luthier in Tri State area
Anyone have any recommendations (or horror stories) on luthiers around central NJ? I think I need to bite the bullet and get my Les Paul refretted, frets 12 and 14 are almost at fretboard height and I don't think a fret level/crown will do the trick anymore. I don't mind driving a little bit, I'd rather travel 200 miles to a reputable luthier that knows his shit and has references than down the street to Joe Schmoe music store owner that promises he'll do a good job but can't show me any work that he's done...
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FUCHSAUDIO
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Best guy
See Phil and David Petillo, who do excellent work, and for many professionals like Springsteen, Tom Petty, Bucky Pizzarelli, and (heck) even me...lol.
They are nice folks to work with and are fair: www.petilloguitars.com
In Ocean Township, so right in your neighborhood.
They are nice folks to work with and are fair: www.petilloguitars.com
In Ocean Township, so right in your neighborhood.
Proud holder of US Patent # 7336165.
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
Just recently read a great article on those guys, nice work and a lot of history in that shop. Was fun to see the pictures to go along with that history.
Mark
Mark
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
I was under the impression that they only refret with their own design fret, it's got a somewhat sharp triangular profile and is a bit tall, not sure I'd like that profile... That said, Phil Petillo has been recommended to me by many people for years now, I'll look into it... Thanks guys...
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
Another choice is Leroy at Mandolin Brothers on SI. He is a really nice guy, and does great work.
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FUCHSAUDIO
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Not sure
I never asked, but I can't see why they wouldn't do a standard Dunlop fret or similar. I like Phil's frets, but not everyone does.
Proud holder of US Patent # 7336165.
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
Call on the phone 908-353-0933 (not email) Rich Koerner at Time Electronics, Union, NJ. You can Google it. This guy is real "old school" and no BS. He does both amp and guitar restoration. If it needs doing, he's done it before and knows the right way. You won't be sorry.
http://www.timeelect.com/
Here...this will give you the idea of the kind of work he does:
http://www.timeelect.com/lp-fretless.htm
You only get one chance. If it's done wrong, you'll pay again. Take is where it will be done right the first time. Remember lowest price isn't the lowest cost.
http://www.timeelect.com/
Here...this will give you the idea of the kind of work he does:
http://www.timeelect.com/lp-fretless.htm
You only get one chance. If it's done wrong, you'll pay again. Take is where it will be done right the first time. Remember lowest price isn't the lowest cost.
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
I'd have a hard time recommending Rich after an inquiry I made regarding my old SG, which was having intonation issues. He jumped very quickly to the possibility that my bridge would have to be relocated without exploring other less dramatic options. I went elsewhere, and it turned out that my TOM saddles were too worn, and with new saddles installed, the guitar is perfectly intonated once again.
He does beuatiful restoration work, but I think he may tend to use a sledgehammer when all that is needed is a needle nose plyer.
YMMV.
He does beuatiful restoration work, but I think he may tend to use a sledgehammer when all that is needed is a needle nose plyer.
YMMV.
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
Well, Steve, you make a good point about Rich, as he does like his toys, particularly that Bridgeport he's got. But the OP is looking for a re-fret. I admit to no direct personal experience with Rich doing work for me. My sense is that he knows his way around a re-fret pretty well.
I'm curious, did Rich actually look at your SG or was it just a phone call? As you know, seeing the piece makes a big difference.
There are probably a number of guys who will do a first rate job on a re-fret.
We've got our own resident genius here in Baltimore. Phil Jacoby at Philtone, on Fort Av is "da man". I was blown away at the setup work he did on two of my guitars. He did it while I waited, let me watch, heck invited me to stand at the bench while he worked, and has a very friendly way with people. I saw other projects queued up in his shop, a row house storefront, and I'd bring him a fret job in a heartbeat.
I'm sure the OP will find someone who is more than competent. Let's say choices are important. It's not a good feeling when you have only one choice.
I'm curious, did Rich actually look at your SG or was it just a phone call? As you know, seeing the piece makes a big difference.
There are probably a number of guys who will do a first rate job on a re-fret.
We've got our own resident genius here in Baltimore. Phil Jacoby at Philtone, on Fort Av is "da man". I was blown away at the setup work he did on two of my guitars. He did it while I waited, let me watch, heck invited me to stand at the bench while he worked, and has a very friendly way with people. I saw other projects queued up in his shop, a row house storefront, and I'd bring him a fret job in a heartbeat.
I'm sure the OP will find someone who is more than competent. Let's say choices are important. It's not a good feeling when you have only one choice.
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
Phil,
Rich and I spoke by phone, and I explained that the SG was a 68 or a 69, and was experiencing intonation problems. I had moved the saddles as far as they could go and still not achieved proper intonation.
Granted, if he had seen the piece, he might have decided to try the saddles first. but since the first wors out of his mouth after that explanation was "we may have to move the bridge", I thought I would try a few other guys first who weren't going to take such a drastic approach.
The next guy I spoke to told me to bring it in for an inspection. I think that was the right approach rather than suggesting major surgery over the phone.
When it comes to a refret, I am sure he would do a fine job. But I wonder if he would do a compelte refret when perhaps only a grind and polish is called for. Just a fear, not personal experience.
Steve
Rich and I spoke by phone, and I explained that the SG was a 68 or a 69, and was experiencing intonation problems. I had moved the saddles as far as they could go and still not achieved proper intonation.
Granted, if he had seen the piece, he might have decided to try the saddles first. but since the first wors out of his mouth after that explanation was "we may have to move the bridge", I thought I would try a few other guys first who weren't going to take such a drastic approach.
The next guy I spoke to told me to bring it in for an inspection. I think that was the right approach rather than suggesting major surgery over the phone.
When it comes to a refret, I am sure he would do a fine job. But I wonder if he would do a compelte refret when perhaps only a grind and polish is called for. Just a fear, not personal experience.
Steve
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
IMO, with any "mechanic" you have to take a skeptical approach and temper the desire to tinker with more than is necessary. The way you encapsulate the fret job concern is probably right on the mark.sliberty wrote:When it comes to a refret, I am sure he would do a fine job. But I wonder if he would do a compelte refret when perhaps only a grind and polish is called for. Just a fear, not personal experience.
Steve
It reminds me of a car repair shop I used for a while. They did great work -- always fixed it right the first time and always delivered the car when promised. After a while, though, I realized that they did too much selling up, when I found myself saying "I won't be doing that today" because the work really wasn't essential. In the end, "caveat emptor" always applies.
--Phil
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FUCHSAUDIO
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Rich N Phil
Phil Jacoby is an excellent resource. He does own a Plek machine, which is testament to his commitment to his commitment to quality. Were he closer, I would use him regularly. In-fact, I would ship a guitar to him without hesitation.
Rich Koerner is, well, Rich. He's a bit of a wacky dude, who is very smart, and does some amazing work, but he's a little kooky. As far as Sliberty's experience, it does appear to be a little "shooting off the hip". It's like missing sound, and telling someone they need new pickups, without checking the wire. That being said: He's been in the business a long time, and you don't survive that long without some smarts.
IMHO:
It's not worth the "short list" treatment by making any commitment before seeing it.
Rich Koerner is, well, Rich. He's a bit of a wacky dude, who is very smart, and does some amazing work, but he's a little kooky. As far as Sliberty's experience, it does appear to be a little "shooting off the hip". It's like missing sound, and telling someone they need new pickups, without checking the wire. That being said: He's been in the business a long time, and you don't survive that long without some smarts.
IMHO:
It's not worth the "short list" treatment by making any commitment before seeing it.
Proud holder of US Patent # 7336165.
Re: Good luthier in Tri State area
Sorry, but I had to chime in here. I used to have a small repair shop myself.
Did many refrets.
For someone to even mention moving the bridge on an old guitar would have to imply that the guitar never intonated properly in it's entire life.
Not very realistic IMHO.
I had to move a bridge for intonation purposes on a new Chinese Jazz box recently. The guitar was new, so it made sense.
An old SG ,or the likes, should never have a bridge placement problem that develops 20 yrs or so after manufacture.
Dave
Did many refrets.
For someone to even mention moving the bridge on an old guitar would have to imply that the guitar never intonated properly in it's entire life.
Not very realistic IMHO.
I had to move a bridge for intonation purposes on a new Chinese Jazz box recently. The guitar was new, so it made sense.
An old SG ,or the likes, should never have a bridge placement problem that develops 20 yrs or so after manufacture.
Dave