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Two Approaches to Repair
"I used my guitar at a gig friday night and it just played real nice!"
-B.K. Ithaca, NY
At Finger Lakes Guitar Repair we believe that instrument repair is a means to an end. The approach of repair and restoration changes depending upon a particular client's goals. There is a significant difference between the playing point of view and the collecting point of view. Consequently we must employ two approaches to repair and restoration.
The Player's Approach emphasizes an amalgamation of structural integrity, often a more reasonable budget and potentially less future maintenance. In this approach to repair we are more likely to replace damaged parts (such as bridges, nuts, fretboards etc...) when it is more cost effective than repairing the original parts. We will also modify the instrument to suite the customer's specific needs.
The Collector's Approach keeps the instrument's value as a collectable antique as the main priority. Whenever possible old parts are repaired and reused (even if more costly than replacing damaged parts), replaced parts are fabricated from materials of the same type used by the builder at the time of construction and all modifications are avoided.
Before proceeding with any repairs it is important that you frankly discuss with us your goals regarding the repair of your instrument. We take pride in our attention to detail, not just to the repairs we perform but also in regards to our client's concerns.