Guitar Repair or Luthier In Thialand

[CALSinCM]

I'm sort of at my wits end with trying to find a luthier or guitar repair in Chiang Mai. 
(Mods - please don't dump this back into the Chiang Mai forum as I've tried to sort this out there without success). 

So I'm now looking to try to find a luthier or guitar repair anywhere in Thailand as trying to find one in Chiang Mai has been a wash-out.  I have had a number of people look at my guitars, fiddle around with them, charge me money, and not fix this issues.  Face-saving seems to be a real issue.  If someone says they fixed the problem (like intonation or fret buzz) and you put the guitar on a tuner and show them it's not fixed, then you get a smile and a "No Problem.  Guitar sound good. ฿400 please!"  But they don't fix the problems.  I'm speaking from experience.

I've also had a number of people tell me to go to YouTube to learn to do it myself.  Ok.  I've done that and I can't.  Bad eyesight make it almost impossible."
Plus even with the videos, I really don't know what I'm doing.  "If you do THIS, than it will correct THAT problem."  But it doesn't - then what?  I'm tired of trying to do this on my own.   There are a ton of electric guitars in Thailand, and yet?  Who can set them up with they don't work correctly?

I need someone who knows how to setup and/or repair electric guitars. 
If I have to?  I'll pack the guitar up and ship it to a qualified luthier if I can find one in Thailand.

So I need suggestions regarding where to find a good guitar repairman / luthier here in Thailand - one who speaks English.

It really is frustrating to have two guitar, both which have fret buzz and intonation problems that are beyond my ability to fix (as well as number of 'guitar techs' I've gone to in Chiang Mai who can't fix the issues either).

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by CALSinCM

[KannikaP]

In Pattaya, near Big C on Pattaya Thai, Tony & his brother. Sorry I forgot his address.

[KannikaP]

22 minutes ago, CALSinCM said:

I need someone who knows how to setup and/or repair electric guitars. 
If I have to?  I'll pack the guitar up and ship it to a qualified luthier if I can find one in Thailand.

So I need suggestions regarding where to find a good guitar repairman / luthier here in Thailand - one who speaks English.

I have been playing and setting up electric guitar since 1968. I have 72 Jazz Bass, an 83 Strat, a 360/12 Ricky, and now a Line 6 Variax, all of which I have 'fettled'.

What make is yours? How old? I would love to help if I can. PM if you want to.

I am in Phitsanulok.

Edited June 27, 2023 by KannikaP

[HappyExpat57]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

I have been playing and setting up electric guitar since 1968. I have 72 Jazz Bass, an 83 Strat, a 360/12 Ricky, and now a Line 6 Variax, all of which I have 'fettled'.

What make is yours? How old? I would love to help if I can. PM if you want to.

I am in Phitsanulok.

I have a Gibson EDS-1275 that's coming apart in the middle. Is this something you might be able to handle?

[KannikaP]

10 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I have a Gibson EDS-1275 that's coming apart in the middle. Is this something you might be able to handle?

That would need PVA wood glue, and some specialist clamps which I do not have here, sorry.

That could be caused by in & out of air-con.

[HappyExpat57]

6 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

That would need PVA wood glue, and some specialist clamps which I do not have here, sorry.

That could be caused by in & out of air-con.

Thanks. These guitars are hot house petunias. I have others (Taylor 6 string, Hamer 5 string bass, and more) and NONE of them have shown any issues such as this ax.

[KannikaP]

7 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Thanks. These guitars are hot house petunias. I have others (Taylor 6 string, Hamer 5 string bass, and more) and NONE of them have shown any issues such as this ax.

That's Gibsons for you.

[jtb]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eGEoXZyzXDGGP7sZA

[tkramer]

Aliceia Guitar Shop

367/1 Soi Rama IX 11 Huykwang, Bangkok 10310 ·

+66 2 716 8806

 

 

[tilaceer]

This a copy of a post I responded to last year concerning a refret enquiry.

 

I contacted this guy about getting a refret on my '73 LP Goldtop. 
If I could get it down to Bangkok safely, I would have him do a refret, dress and setup.
His prices seemed reasonable. Based in Sathorn.
https://www.facebook.com/Fabao.guitar.singer

 

The only reason I have not had the refret done is I refuse to ship my guitar. I live in Isaan, and I want to meet the guy and discuss prior to any work being done, ( plus I want to check out the work at  his premises before any money changes hands). Judging by the picture he has posted, his work looks very good. Possibly I will have to catch the bus down and hang around BKK until the work is completed.

He also plays every Thursday at the Missing Burro in Thong Lor , but as yet have not seen his act, though though the owner  tells me he is a great guy.

 

Good luck.

 

•  
• Quote

[CecilM]

I bought my custom guitar from this guy. He’s in Rayong. Built to my specs and then shipped it to me. I’m not a musician, but it sounds good to me. Check his FB profile. 

[CecilM]

Or try these guys:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EF4WYGGEYHoy63MK8?g_st=ic

[CALSinCM]

Thanks - I appreciate the feedback.

[tilaceer]

19 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I have a Gibson EDS-1275 that's coming apart in the middle. Is this something you might be able to handle?

That's weird.
Fixing the crack is not so hard, but there is a possibility it could open again. Gonna presume you didn't drop it or most likely you would be needing a headstock repair, so maybe timber movement is the culprit. I have seen cracks like that running down from a neck pocket, but not in the middle of the body.

To repair, you just cut two boards to the contour of the sg on either side at that point, then cover those edges with cork or leather, and ensure the out edges of the  boards are parallel with one another. Using either a syringe, brush or air get as much titebond three in there as you can, and slowly bring together with a sash cramp across the two boards. If the joint looks like it is opening again you might have to insert a spline across the crack. This will involve routing and refinishing.

[Purdey]

6 hours ago, tkramer said:

Aliceia Guitar Shop

367/1 Soi Rama IX 11 Huykwang, Bangkok 10310 ·

+66 2 716 8806

 

 

I have used them before and they are good. Took a while to find them as they are in a housing estate.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 6/28/2023 at 9:32 AM, CecilM said:

I’m not a musician, but it sounds good to me.

That's quite a recommendation!

[KannikaP]

On 6/28/2023 at 6:06 AM, jtb said:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eGEoXZyzXDGGP7sZA

 

On 6/28/2023 at 6:06 AM, jtb said:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eGEoXZyzXDGGP7sZA

That's the place.

[Unify]

I've sent a direct message to you, with the contact info of a guy who did work for me in Chiang Mai.

 

????

[fusion58]

Quote

Guitar Repair or Luthier In Thialand

I've been searching for the same to no avail for years now.

 

I do almost all of my own setup and repair work, with the exception of fret dresses and re-frets.

 

As a trial, I took one of my least expensive guitars to a luthier in BKK who was highly recommended by numerous expats here on AN and on various FB groups, etc., for a re-fret, and this individual did a really crappy job, unfortunately.

 

First of all, he used the wrong gauge fret wire. Second, the frets looked like he had basically just run a file over them and called it a day, i.e., no real effort went into crowning and polishing. Glue was slopped on the side of the fingerboard, and he didn't bother to remove it.

 

Anyway, the search for a repair person who does pro-level work goes on...

[tkramer]

I've been living and gigging here since 1995, and I've even had on custom-made guitar built for me here.

 

The locals tend to not get 'detail'. Things can come back half-assed and sloppy.

 

Regarding 'refreting' your guitar, I had a bunch of guitars refretted as the price was so reasonable.

 

And after a year or so of heavy playing I noticed that my frets were wearing pretty fast. When I finally asked my Luthier (Aleceia Guitar), he said that's because he uses a soft Korean fret-wire...because it is easier on his hands...WTF...!!! Said he won't use American fret-wire...'too stiff'.

 

I had a 1985 Gibson Les Paul Custom re-fretted twice, second time there were grooves all over my ebony fretboard.

[tkramer]

These guys tend not to be the craftsmen your 'western mind' is hoping for.

[tilaceer]

11 hours ago, fusion58 said:

I've been searching for the same to no avail for years now.

 

I do almost all of my own setup and repair work, with the exception of fret dresses and re-frets.

 

As a trial, I took one of my least expensive guitars to a luthier in BKK who was highly recommended by numerous expats here on AN and on various FB groups, etc., for a re-fret, and this individual did a really crappy job, unfortunately.

 

First of all, he used the wrong gauge fret wire. Second, the frets looked like he had basically just run a file over them and called it a day, i.e., no real effort went into crowning and polishing. Glue was slopped on the side of the fingerboard, and he didn't bother to remove it.

 

Anyway, the search for a repair person who does pro-level work goes on...

By any chance is that the person I referenced in my post ?

If so, that is very disappointing.

[fusion58]

1 hour ago, tilaceer said:

By any chance is that the person I referenced in my post ?

If so, that is very disappointing.

No, but he was referenced in another post in this thread. I hesitate to be more specific on account of the goofy defamation laws.

[murphybridget]

On 6/26/2023 at 11:48 PM, CALSinCM said:

I'm sort of at my wits end with trying to find a luthier or guitar repair in Chiang Mai. 
(Mods - please don't dump this back into the Chiang Mai forum as I've tried to sort this out there without success). 

So I'm now looking to try to find a luthier or guitar repair anywhere in Thailand as trying to find one in Chiang Mai has been a wash-out.  I have had a number of people look at my guitars, fiddle around with them, charge me money, and not fix this issues.  Face-saving seems to be a real issue.  If someone says they fixed the problem (like intonation or fret buzz) and you put the guitar on a tuner and show them it's not fixed, then you get a smile and a "No Problem.  Guitar sound good. ฿400 please!"  But they don't fix the problems.  I'm speaking from experience.

I've also had a number of people tell me to go to YouTube to learn to do it myself.  Ok.  I've done that and I can't.  Bad eyesight make it almost impossible."
Plus even with the videos, I really don't know what I'm doing.  "If you do THIS, than it will correct THAT problem."  But it doesn't - then what?  I'm tired of trying to do this on my own.   There are a ton of electric guitars in Thailand, and yet?  Who can set them up with they don't work correctly?

I need someone who knows how to setup and/or repair electric guitars. 
If I have to?  I'll pack the guitar up and ship it to a qualified luthier if I can find one in Thailand.

So I need suggestions regarding where to find a good guitar repairman / luthier here in Thailand - one who speaks English.

It really is frustrating to have two guitar, both which have fret buzz and intonation problems that are beyond my ability to fix (as well as number of 'guitar techs' I've gone to in Chiang Mai who can't fix the issues either).

 

Hopefully, you'll be able to locate a skilled professional elsewhere in Thailand who can properly fix the problems you're experiencing.