My First Blog

As you can see this is my first blog, and my first post. I am Dianne Redstone, I have been repairing guitars and basses since about 1978 when I was hired as an apprentice to Eddie Murray, owner of Euco Fretts, at E.U.Wurlitzer Music store in Boston.

After a couple of years working right next to Eddie and receiving daily training, I also diagnosed up to ten guitars a day, sometimes more. We were situated one block from Berklee College of Music which enabled us to repair up to 15 guitars a day, sometimes more.

One think for sure is that I have seen many guitars, some amazing, some terribly not so amazing. I have looked down many-a-necks! I have one reply to that......it is a crazy world of guitars out there! Sometimes it's scary when you realize how many guitars are made in one day. That's a lot of wood. " where has all the good wood gone, long time passing....." (sung to "Blowing in the Wind").

For now, bottom line is I do a lot of diagnosing, so I enjoy a good set-up.

I think where I will go with this is I want to talk about the repairs I get in my shop which is Located about 50 miles from Boston. We don't get "Superstar's guitars" out here, but believe me, I have had my share. Which bring me to thought I would like to share......I don't feel as if a "Superstar's" guitar (or National Recording Artist's guitar) deserves any more special treatment than the plain ol' Joe down the street, (with all due respect...).

I will do the same amount of special treatment on everyone.



So with that said........By the way did I tell you I taught Paul DiGiovanni (lead guitarist of "Boys Like Girls") guitar for many years, I was his first guitar teacher, and might I add that he is an extremely talented guitar player and a wonderful, kind person...Hi Paul!!

Yes I also teach private guitar lessons three days a week, which cuts down on my repair time, or visa versa!

I want to talk about the repairs I take in.......I got a "Douglas" guitar which looks like a Les Paul. Unfortunately, Gibson guitar prices are kind of out of reach for some nice hard working people, so companies like Douglas are making affordable guitars. It's not a bad piece, feels good, with a little this and that, the final result is good. Unfortunately the wood, like most guitars is soft.....

People read a lot of internet info, so I an requested to change the potentiometers (pots) to CTS pots, Pickup selector switches to switchcraft, switchcraft input jacks, and sometimes better capacitors. Usually new solder joints are helpful, for example I was able to pull three solder joints apart by pulling on the wire....not good.

So all new electronic components and it's ready to go, electrically.

The nut was made from a very slippery material, similar to nylon, or some companies call Duracon, it is slippery so the string glides through the nut grooves and doesn't have resistance, causing tuning problems.

The frets aren't too bad, will check them for uneven-ness. When all done it should be good. As far as the pick ups go, if you like the sound, it's good. Some less expensive pickups don't do well for overdrive and distortion. Sound is objective, if you like it and it is good for you, then it is good. If a pickup squeals and you like it, then so be it..........not sure how many people wound appreciate it.......a little wax dipping might help that, but that's another day, another post!

Enough for now. Will post again with more interesting info for us guitar freaks!!

Peace,

Dianne