‘Richards Guitar Workshop’ Archives
Quality Used Guitars & Guitar Workshop Update
The great news is that 2011 saw overall turnover rising by over 20% on the previous year. This is a fantastic sign in a shrinking economy of course. A focal point for me has been our quality used guitars, each one as you may know is setup to perfection, with the end users specific playing requirements in mind - a truly bespoke service. So [...]
Setting Up a Solid Body Electric Pre Sale With Trem (Free Service On All Guitars Sold)
As always it is really important to stress that I am not the technician and in writing up any kind of overview of what goes on in the workshop is dependant on my own personal knowledge (memory) of their work and my 16 years being around the workshop looking on with interest. In other words, don't pick holes in my descriptions!! [...]
An Example of a “Cosmetic” Reject During Quality Control. G&L Tribute Legacy
Maybe I will try and bring you more of these. They may prove interesting and informative and give you a real insight into the quality standard I aim to provide my customers. Todays example is one of those borderline areas where I think "Is it just me being "me" or is this just not right?" Frankly I am past caring as I tend to urr on the [...]
What you won’t be buying from Richards Guitars (Thanks to our quality control)
This week my customers won't be buying... Stonebridge A17 40CM with action a tad high and no room on the saddle to get the action where we need it. Rejected G&L Legacy Natural Ash finish. The two piece body has been poorly matched and I am not happy with the cosmetic detail (I will bring you a picture when I have time). [...]
What Happens to your acoustic guitar post purchase and pre collection/dispatch (the “setup”)…
You SHOULD know by now that every guitar sold at Richards Guitars undergoes a meticulous quality control and hand finishing procedure. However, over the years I seem to have lost the evidence that shows you what goes on!! So, my New Years resolution is to try and keep bringing you this information when I am able. Todays photographic tour [...]
A Guided Tour of a Full Guitar Re-Fret
The description given is not the definitive method for doing this work; there are more variations than there are Strat makers! What’s written here is what works for me. The neck shown below is part of a guitar purchased on a whim from a famous internet auction sight, (we’ve all been tempted!) It cost about thirty quid & is obviously not [...]
Richards Guitar Workshop
Just to let you know that we are now nicely settled in at our new home in Stratford Upon Avon. I say we because whilst I personally handle all sales and the processes thereafter I am backed up by my small but perfectly formed "team" of techs who without which I could not exist! (Scary!!). My workshop is manned by Chris (in house) who is [...]
HE2 Pickup Instalation Into a Stonebridge DS 23 CR
Firstly the guitar as received is checked over & the current dimensions for setup are recorded. In this case there was no request for any changes, so the aim is to return the guitar to the customer with as far as possible the same playing action as it had before. In this instance the saddle was fitted backwards so this will be corrected in [...]
Gibson Les Paul Standard Nut Replacement
A gorgeous black brand new Les Paul Standard was bought in to be set up. The owner was very aware that there was a serious problem with the instrument; the strings refused to stay in the nut slots under even gentle string bending & the G wouldn’t remain in position at all. When examined it was apparent that the nut was already too low to [...]
£100 of “Workshop Time” On Every Guitar Sold
I read recently on a guitar techs blog that you get "nothing for nothing" in todays World - and in this instance he was indeed talking about "freebie" setups on guitars when sold. I couldn't help feeling a little like this was a sideways jab at my service? This chap should really spend a day in my store as I would hate to be tainted with [...]
