UK Based Guitar techs

Yamaholic · #1 09-21-2021, 04:26 PM

Hi,
for those based in the UK. Is there a register for accredited Guitar Techs ?
Just had a not so great experience having a setup on a Dread.

JayBee1404 · #2 09-22-2021, 12:13 AM

What do you mean by ‘accredited’? Do you mean authorised by a specific builder - e.g. a Martin or Taylor Authorised Service Centre, or similar?

AFAIK, there is no ‘register’ of ‘qualified’ luthiers/techs (not even sure if there’s such a thing as a formal ‘professional qualification’), most of us tend to be informed by recommendations of other players in our own area.

If you tell us the area you live in, you might get recommendations here.

Big-E · #3 09-22-2021, 12:36 AM

Whereabouts are you Neil? I've used a couple in the northwest who do good work, one a tech and one a luthier.

Yamaholic · #4 09-22-2021, 01:28 AM

Yeah the North West / North Wales

JayBee1404 · #5 09-22-2021, 01:50 AM

Out of my area, sorry. I could recommend a couple of good guys in S. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, but I’m guessing that’s too distant.

Wolfram · #6 09-22-2021, 02:20 AM

Jim Fleeting, now based in Stockport, has done some superb finish, repair and setup work for me. Highly recommended. He also builds acoustic and electric guitars and basses - studied at the highly-renowned Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie.

Give him a call, you won't regret it.

Silly Moustache · #7 09-22-2021, 03:26 AM

I like to have long relationships with luthiers techs, and am happy to pay well for good maintenance/repairs/adjustments.

However, there is a common pattern that those who gain experience as repairers evolve into makers and then repairs and sets ups become a secondary service and they drop them as the building takes over.

I'm in the south East and this has happened again recently, so I'm looking for contacts south of London -so any suggestions?

JayBee1404 · #8 09-22-2021, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfram

Jim Fleeting, now based in Stockport, has done some superb finish, repair and setup work for me. Highly recommended. He also builds acoustic and electric guitars and basses - studied at the highly-renowned Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie.

Give him a call, you won't regret it.

Yes, a thumbs-up for Jim. He did a nice finish job on a Martin for me when he was resident in Ripon. A very nice guy to deal with.

Big-E · #9 09-22-2021, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfram

Jim Fleeting, now based in Stockport, has done some superb finish, repair and setup work for me. Highly recommended. He also builds acoustic and electric guitars and basses - studied at the highly-renowned Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie.

Give him a call, you won't regret it.

Yes, Jim Fleeting. Great guy and knows his stuff. Checked out my Eastman and slotted the bridge. I have a couple of jobs lined up for him in the future. Pear Mill, Stockport, not far from the M60 so fairly handy for North Wales.

Yamaholic · #10 09-22-2021, 01:32 PM

A bit far for me. Mayalls music in Conwy do setups, i have no idea if they are any good.

After my recent experience I can see that i can do most of the simple things better myself. Need to learn how to dress frets though.

If I need a neck reset on a decent guitar i would probably travel.

Sounds like there is a gap in the market in North Wales for someone.

Yrksman · #11 09-22-2021, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfram

Jim Fleeting, now based in Stockport, has done some superb finish, repair and setup work for me. Highly recommended. He also builds acoustic and electric guitars and basses - studied at the highly-renowned Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie.

Give him a call, you won't regret it.

Yes Jim is the best! I use him all the time.

He’s on 07792 457741