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Posted by: Praetorian Jan 5 2009, 01:09 AM

Ok...long rant here. So, about two months ago I sold a car trailer that was sitting around and I didn't need. I went up to Guitar Center with a pocket full of money and had a blast! I bought a set of Texas Special pickups for my strat, a set of EMG 81/85 Kerry King edition pickups for my Ibanez and my Line 6 Spider Jam amp. Everything was ok in my world! I dropped my strat and Ibanez off to the local guitar shop to have the pickups installed. I got the strat back after a couple of days with the new pickups and they were awesome! There was a problem with the tone pot though. It acted like a second volume knob instead of altering the tone. Anyway, he still had the Ibanez. A couple weeks later...he goes OUT OF BUSINESS!!! He still has my Ibanez...and the store is empty! Now...fast forward TWO MONTHS!! I just got my Ibanez back from the guy...and it doesn't work. There isn't even strings on it! He routed a battery box and installed the switch that comes with the Kerry King set of EMG's. I have to admit, he did a great job routing out the box and installing the pickups and switch. No complaints there! But he said he couldn't get any sound out of the pickups and he didn't know what the problem was. He said the wiring was over his head! Now, I had to bring my strat to another guitar tech who did a proper setup and had to re-wire the whole thing to fix this guys screw-up! It cost me $75! Now...I have to bring the Ibanez to another guy to once again...fix his screw-up! I guess it is no surprise that he went out of business!!!

Sorry about venting...but I am NOT pleased!

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 5 2009, 01:12 AM

Bad luck mate This time be careful that's all I can say

Posted by: Dreamcatcher Jan 5 2009, 01:15 AM

Wow I would be um how shall we put it politely ... nope couldnt find any way to put it politely...very very bad!!!

Posted by: skennington Jan 5 2009, 01:17 AM

That really sucks man. Sorry to hear. I would highly suggest you get some feedback from others on anybody you have work on your guitars. I have not been around this game long but have heard quite a few horror stories as yours. I'm just glad you got your Ibanez back. For a minute there, I thought it was going to be much worse.

Posted by: Fran Jan 5 2009, 01:21 AM

Wow man, that's definitely bad luck... what a disaster... no wonder he went out of business. Hope they get fixed soon and for good this time.

Posted by: Canis Jan 5 2009, 01:24 AM

Not pleasant :S
I thought you never got to see your Ibanez again, though. Glad it showed up

It's always good to vent, especially since you live in New York and all.. It's guys who keep it all bottled up that goes into their local Starbucks with a gun

Posted by: sigma7 Jan 5 2009, 01:28 AM

let's vent bro, grab a bud light

Posted by: Praetorian Jan 5 2009, 02:08 AM

Problem is he was the only nearby guy. I live in a rural area. Time to take a roadtrip to a real tech!

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jan 5 2009, 02:22 AM

Oh Hell no! Having to drink that crap would make me even more angry

Have you tried soldering stuff yourself? With all the guides it's easy to figure it for yourself...

Posted by: skennington Jan 5 2009, 02:37 AM

Understood man. Another recommendation, some of the best work out of their homes. Do a search on craigslist for guitar repair/work/luthier/ etc. I did a quick one for "guitar repair" and found this guy in your area....Looks like he is still 90 miles or so away but I'm sure you can find somebody.

http://albany.craigslist.org/msg/972653605.html

Ask for references first though. Good luck!

Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 5 2009, 02:59 AM

Yeah, I can't honestly believe a guitar tech would have any difficulties installing EMG's - the instructions are fantastic and I installed and wired my old EMG's into a guitar no problem, and thats with no previous experience!

The battery cavity I created was a little less flush

But getting back to the point, sorry to hear about this man. That would seriously wind me up!

Posted by: 29a Jan 5 2009, 03:29 AM

I guess that's one reason why I prefer to do things myself. When I'll [mess] up, it's at least my own fault.

- Jonas


Edited for language - Smells

Posted by: Guitarman700 Jan 5 2009, 03:33 AM

Try Guinness, its great!

Man that sucks, i feel lucky having a pro of 30 years living right around the corner!

Posted by: Barenaked Ninja Jan 5 2009, 04:04 AM

Sorry to hear about your luck there. At least you got your gear back. Keep us posted if you get everything set up!

Posted by: Velvet Roger Jan 5 2009, 09:17 AM

Really bad experience you got there, but these things sometimes happen (how unfortunate). Hopefully better luck next time

Posted by: audiopaal Jan 5 2009, 12:55 PM

Not good
Glad you got your Ibanez back though

Posted by: berko Jan 5 2009, 01:06 PM

At that point I also thought your Ibanez was gone forever... huh that would've been something even more serious...

The local technician where I fixed the neck of my schecter was said to be highly professional but he did screw up (fretwork) the guitar of my friend so when I managed to set my visit into an appropriate time frame then I said to him I'm gonna stay here and watch every movement you do with my axe (ok it was a simple adjustment-stuff) and I'm gonna take it away today and there's gonna be no complaining about scratches on the body or a loose neck. He wasn't happy but at last I got my guitar back in proper condition.

I hope you'll get the ibanez sorted out though

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jan 5 2009, 01:17 PM

Crap, world is full of weird guys,
take your stuff and then close the store,
better luck next time!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 5 2009, 01:19 PM

Oh so sorry to hear this...I'm glad you managed to get your Ibanez back (I thought he stole it!)..No wonder he went out of businesses....But these are one time experiences , next time use a "sure" luther that has been around for quite a long time and that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.. It was a bad luck for you definitly.

Posted by: purple hayes Jan 5 2009, 01:52 PM

That's my motto, too. I'll try to do just about anything.

Sorry about your guitar problems though. I know exactly how you feel.

Posted by: Joe Kataldo Jan 5 2009, 02:07 PM

Bad luck mate...Fortunately doesn't happened to me, or...I could be in Jail Right now!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 5 2009, 02:34 PM

Sorry to hear about the problem mate. The guys certainly did bad business when he went out of work. These things happen sometimes when you deal with people without knowing how they work, and it is good to stick with the first guy who does the job properly. Also it is good idea to ask around since these kind of things spread out quickly among the local musicians.