Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). Need some recommendations for good acoustic luthiers, preferable SE ish. - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Need some recommendations for good acoustic luthiers, preferable SE ish.

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VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
in Acoustics
The short of it is I can't play my acoustic for any length of time because of arthritis in my fretting hand, however it is such a lovely instrument and I want to give it one more chance before I accept the situation. What I'm hoping is a good luthier who is good with acoustics can give me an appraisal and tell me if anything can be done to make it easier to play. Ideally someone within an hour or so of Aylesbury region. 

I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    If it's any help, Charlie Chandler is where I go in Hampton Wick :) 
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    Mellish said:
    If it's any help, Charlie Chandler is where I go in Hampton Wick :) 
    bit of a trek for me, but if I can't find anyone closer then I'll bear it in mind. Thanks. 

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • droflufdrofluf Frets: 3144
    Is Oxford too far? If not try Dave Smart. 
    Trading feedback thread:https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/172761/drofluf
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    drofluf said:
    Is Oxford too far? If not try Dave Smart. 
    Oxford's only about 40 mins away, I shall look him up, thanks. 

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • LewyLewy Frets: 3795
    Dave Smart is great. I consistently hear great things about Richard Pilkington in Reading (an alumnus of Dave King's workshop).

    How's it set up at the moment?
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    Lewy said:
    Dave Smart is great. I consistently hear great things about Richard Pilkington in Reading (an alumnus of Dave King's workshop).

    How's it set up at the moment?
    'nother vote for Dave Smart, sounds good, and Reading's close as well, so I'll check him out.

    Not sure how to answer that, it's set up how I bought it in '06. I've never thought the action etc was high, though I'd have to go measure it if you want the specifics. 
    Thing is, how it is at the moment it's unplayable for me, so if nothing can be done, then I'll probably have to move it on, that's why I want to go to a proper acoustic luthier, get the full story. 

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • EreforGuitarGearEreforGuitarGear Frets: 67
    The Guitar Engineer in Tring is a great guitar tech, has set up my guitars in the past at a reasonable price. He’s not a luthier as such, but is a Taylor repair center, and has experience of working on all sorts of guitars. Definitely worth a try.
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    Lighter gauge strings should make it easier on your fretting hand. If what you have on are 12s, try 11s :) 
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    EreforGuitarGear said:
    The Guitar Engineer in Tring is a great guitar tech, has set up my guitars in the past at a reasonable price. He’s not a luthier as such, but is a Taylor repair center, and has experience of working on all sorts of guitars. Definitely worth a try.
    Yeah, I've seen him on FB, wasn't sure he was an acoustic tech as well though, I shall contact him.

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    Mellish said:
    Lighter gauge strings should make it easier on your fretting hand. If what you have on are 12s, try 11s :) 
    I've currently got them newtone heritage strings on it, the lower tension ones. I think I have 12's, which are supposed to be the same tension as an 11 I think. 

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • LewyLewy Frets: 3795
    I’d be very surprised if it couldn’t be made playable for you, Vim. 
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  • EppiEppi Frets: 10
    Mark Willmott is probably very close to you as he lives just outside Aylesbury - or did when I used him. He is a superb luthier and set up several acoustic guitars for me. I live quite a distance from him now and have learned to do my own set ups but I recommend you email him. His website - markwillmottguitrs.com. 
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  • CHRISB50CHRISB50 Frets: 4001
    Mellish said:
    If it's any help, Charlie Chandler is where I go in Hampton Wick :) 
    Same here. Nothing but good experiences with them.

    I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin

    But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to

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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    Eppi said:
    Mark Willmott is probably very close to you as he lives just outside Aylesbury - or did when I used him. He is a superb luthier and set up several acoustic guitars for me. I live quite a distance from him now and have learned to do my own set ups but I recommend you email him. His website - markwillmottguitrs.com. 
    ah now that name rings a bell, I may have looked him up previously. Glad I've found someone who's used him, thanks. 

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    @CHRISB50 ; not a bad place mate, is it. I went there with my HD-28. Had it Plekked. Pricey but totally transformed it. It's now easy to play and sounds amazing. (Apologies to OP for hijack) :) 
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  • CHRISB50CHRISB50 Frets: 4001
    Mellish said:
    @CHRISB50 ; not a bad place mate, is it. I went there with my HD-28. Had it Plekked. Pricey but totally transformed it. It's now easy to play and sounds amazing. (Apologies to OP for hijack) :) 
    @Mellish It's a good place. Their work is fantastic.

    I used to take my Lowden there for a yearly set up and restring.

    Nothing but good things to say about them (Apologies Vim for the hijack!).

    I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin

    But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to

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  • ESBlondeESBlonde Frets: 3532
    VimFuego said:
    Mellish said:
    Lighter gauge strings should make it easier on your fretting hand. If what you have on are 12s, try 11s :) 
    I've currently got them newtone heritage strings on it, the lower tension ones. I think I have 12's, which are supposed to be the same tension as an 11 I think. 
    There was a yootoob vid with Rhet Shull and Rick Beato on Ricks Chanel about string gauge and tone both acoustic and electric.
    when they listened back they concluded that they played better in lighter strings which outweighed any perceived loss of tone going down string gauges. Acoustic volume may drop but it’s better to be able to play. Might be an interesting view. 
    I have 10s on my epiphone acoustic and electric type low action so I can play it for extended periods. Once miced or plugged in the tone is there at any volume. My Atkins is on 11s and I dropped the action a little. It’s still very loud and sounds great but after about 40 mins I need to take a break. Old arthritic hands are a barstard.
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    ESBlonde said:
    VimFuego said:
    Mellish said:
    Lighter gauge strings should make it easier on your fretting hand. If what you have on are 12s, try 11s :) 
    I've currently got them newtone heritage strings on it, the lower tension ones. I think I have 12's, which are supposed to be the same tension as an 11 I think. 
    There was a yootoob vid with Rhet Shull and Rick Beato on Ricks Chanel about string gauge and tone both acoustic and electric.
    when they listened back they concluded that they played better in lighter strings which outweighed any perceived loss of tone going down string gauges. Acoustic volume may drop but it’s better to be able to play. Might be an interesting view. 
    I have 10s on my epiphone acoustic and electric type low action so I can play it for extended periods. Once miced or plugged in the tone is there at any volume. My Atkins is on 11s and I dropped the action a little. It’s still very loud and sounds great but after about 40 mins I need to take a break. Old arthritic hands are a barstard.
    hmmm, interesting. I must confess I have always just accepted the "truth" that you need thick cables to get tone from an acoustic. I shall have a conversation with some of the guys mentioned above and see what they can suggest. Thanks!

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    You've got several guys in your thread here, Vim. Phone each one up, mention the arthritis and see what they say. Hopefully, at least one of them will come across as someone you feel you can trust. Let us know how you get on. Good luck mate and keep watching as more names could be added yet :) 
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