What do you think of Dan?
Moderator: jingle_jangle
I know nothing about him, but it appears to be a fair question. Especially if you are thinking of having some work done. Although I can't imagine that Paul couldn't do the work equally or better than anyone else. But of course I love Paul like the brother I'm glad I never had.
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jingle_jangle
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Brian...whatta guy!
Now I've got a BRO in IdaHO.
Dan (who I don't know personally) is a star. He's made the jump that very few luthiers ever do--he has graduated to the big time of not having to work for a dollars-per-hour rate. He's got books, DVDs, and is closely allied with StewMac. But I don't think of him as a luthier; rather I see him as a really good and friendly repairman.
I've purchased most of what he's written. He's got a good writing style (I don't think he has a ghost-writer) and is very good at clearly expressing himself on technical matters.
He's responsible, more than anyone else, for getting musicians to understand their instruments and for getting many thousands of people to try luthiery as a hobby and profession.
I own a few of his special tools, and though made overseas they are reasonable value for money. I recently purchased one of his neck jigs and am having a ball setting up customer's guitars with better accuracy than before. I could have built this neck jig in a day, but who's got the time?
On the finishing side, I believe he is "old school repairman". He is good with nitro and a proponent of fixing things reasonably well using time-tested methods. If Dan does have a weak spot, this seems to be it, but that does not surprise me and shouldn't you, either.
Dan is a great generalist who knows rock and roll guitars very well. That means: Strats and LPs, with a side trip or ten into 335s and Flying Vs, and also a smattering of Teles. Like a few thousand, perhaps...but Dan does not know Rickenbackers as well, and cheerfully omits them and the special techniques and care which they require, from his books; they're a niche market and his younger rocker fans might consider them to be too Old Fogey.
He seems to be a regular guy who is riding high on his lucky breaks, and more power to him, but your Rick needs specialist help so you should be cautious.
Now I've got a BRO in IdaHO.
Dan (who I don't know personally) is a star. He's made the jump that very few luthiers ever do--he has graduated to the big time of not having to work for a dollars-per-hour rate. He's got books, DVDs, and is closely allied with StewMac. But I don't think of him as a luthier; rather I see him as a really good and friendly repairman.
I've purchased most of what he's written. He's got a good writing style (I don't think he has a ghost-writer) and is very good at clearly expressing himself on technical matters.
He's responsible, more than anyone else, for getting musicians to understand their instruments and for getting many thousands of people to try luthiery as a hobby and profession.
I own a few of his special tools, and though made overseas they are reasonable value for money. I recently purchased one of his neck jigs and am having a ball setting up customer's guitars with better accuracy than before. I could have built this neck jig in a day, but who's got the time?
On the finishing side, I believe he is "old school repairman". He is good with nitro and a proponent of fixing things reasonably well using time-tested methods. If Dan does have a weak spot, this seems to be it, but that does not surprise me and shouldn't you, either.
Dan is a great generalist who knows rock and roll guitars very well. That means: Strats and LPs, with a side trip or ten into 335s and Flying Vs, and also a smattering of Teles. Like a few thousand, perhaps...but Dan does not know Rickenbackers as well, and cheerfully omits them and the special techniques and care which they require, from his books; they're a niche market and his younger rocker fans might consider them to be too Old Fogey.
He seems to be a regular guy who is riding high on his lucky breaks, and more power to him, but your Rick needs specialist help so you should be cautious.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
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jingle_jangle
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Oh, boy...a non-Rick question. The "electronics" of a Casino consist of the two pickups, four pots, a selector switch, and an output jack.
Should the electronics ever need removing, you undo the pots and jack (pull the knobs off the pots and remove the hexnuts and washers), loosen the pickup screws after removing the bezels, and the whole harness can be removed through a pickup hole--whether neck or bridge, I can't remember. I haven't worked on one of these in a dog's life, literally.
Anyway, fishing it all back in is easier than you'd think...I've used an old Chevy V8 main bearing seal puller, securing it to the pot shaft (it slips on like a Chinese finger-cuff; wrap some tape around it after pulling it tight, then fish away).
Most likely the pots or selector switch will go bad eventually. I'd bet on switch first; the Asians (Korea, right?) don't plate the contacts on these like Switchcraft does the Rick ones, and unless used regularly, ordinary corrosion will sometimes cause the switch to simply cut out in the middle of your favorite solo...
Should the electronics ever need removing, you undo the pots and jack (pull the knobs off the pots and remove the hexnuts and washers), loosen the pickup screws after removing the bezels, and the whole harness can be removed through a pickup hole--whether neck or bridge, I can't remember. I haven't worked on one of these in a dog's life, literally.
Anyway, fishing it all back in is easier than you'd think...I've used an old Chevy V8 main bearing seal puller, securing it to the pot shaft (it slips on like a Chinese finger-cuff; wrap some tape around it after pulling it tight, then fish away).
Most likely the pots or selector switch will go bad eventually. I'd bet on switch first; the Asians (Korea, right?) don't plate the contacts on these like Switchcraft does the Rick ones, and unless used regularly, ordinary corrosion will sometimes cause the switch to simply cut out in the middle of your favorite solo...
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
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dale_fortune
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I 1st met Dan in the 70's, a Texas guy who was doing the same work as I (repairs/refinish) with a few custom built guitars inbetween all the daily stuff that paid the rent. Dan has come along way to the commercial side of guitar repair education and alot of it was learned by trial and error like most others who got their start in the 60's/70's. He is very informative and gives good advice with his books and videos.
Good question David on the Casino.. My MIK Casino switch is acting up. tic'n me off. I was wondering if it was worth replacing pick ups, pots, switch, output jack with American made. vs. just changing the switch out. How much better would the guitar sound? What say you Paul? Sounds easy enough of a job to do.
As long as we're mentioning Epi's and Dale and Paul are onboard, I just picked up an Epiphone EA-255, most likely from the early 1970's. It's MIJ and sort of like a Casino or Riviera, except it has humbuckers and the outer and inner plys are walnut. I'm trying to fill a small (3/16" dia.) chip in the clearcoat by drop-filling clear nail polish. It seems to have blended in nicely, but shrinks like crazy. I've filled the hole four or five times and every time I turn around it's a divot again. If needed, I'll just keep filling until it finally stands proud and can be sanded flush and buffed - or should I try something like super-glue (have medium viscosity "Super Jet") or a drop of epoxy (have gallons)?
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jingle_jangle
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Finish it off with the nail polish, Todd. A few more drops, then sand with #1500 paper wetted with Windex--use a sanding block!. Fine rubbing compound, a bit o' wax and you're all set.
Don't use super glue at this stage. BTW, super glue will nearly always leave a halo around the spot, as it's harder than most finishes!
Don't use super glue at this stage. BTW, super glue will nearly always leave a halo around the spot, as it's harder than most finishes!
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
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jingle_jangle
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Sorry...just skimmed, didn't read closely.
Replacing the switch and pots is a bit of a hassle in a Casino/335 because of the lack of access panels, but it can be done using quality USA parts and the results will be better reliability.
While you're at it, replace the jack, too.
And, while the guitar is stripped, why not give it the Scratch-X Zymol treatment?
A good Saturday's work, I'd say!
Replacing the switch and pots is a bit of a hassle in a Casino/335 because of the lack of access panels, but it can be done using quality USA parts and the results will be better reliability.
While you're at it, replace the jack, too.
And, while the guitar is stripped, why not give it the Scratch-X Zymol treatment?
A good Saturday's work, I'd say!
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
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jingle_jangle
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The pickup selector switch is a Switchcraft item. I do not know the part number, however. Anyone?
The pots are available at various electronic supply houses. I'm not sure of parts numbers or values on these, or whether linear or audio taper. Looking for suggestions!
The pots are available at various electronic supply houses. I'm not sure of parts numbers or values on these, or whether linear or audio taper. Looking for suggestions!
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut