2/13/09

This is a vent .....as much for me as it is for you the reader.

OK! So it's Friday the 13th after all, and I have not written for some time, and have again had the pleasure? of dealing with one of those thankfully rare  "Guitar pseudo-human Mutant" types. You know the ones. They also like to badger waitresses till they cry, and they cut you off in traffic without a reason to, other than they felt like it.

So today a guy picks up his 10+ year old, brutally un-cared for APPLAUSE strat copy. No case. bridge broken, dis-assembled and blocked with a cedar shake shingle piece. You have to work around the wood  in front of the trem block to string it up. No cover on the truss rod which is toatally maxed out cause he thinks thats how you do a setup. This guitar is decrepit.

He had wanted the electronics repaired, new strings...but NO WAY NO HOW on a setup.

So I repair and clean the electronics, fix bad solder joints, re-solder the broken ground to the bridge, replace the switch tip in his special order specified black version, replace a crumbling volume and tone pot in the specified black versions. As I re-string I see the nut is cracked and broken, so I do a repair, fill, and re-notch. (NoCharge) String it up and adjsust saddles (NO Charge) It cleans up pretty good.Its all black with black guard. It sounds good though the bench amp. It plays good. It tunes good.. It plays nice, NOT great, but nice and at least ok.  This would be  cool for some blues with 10's or 11's instead of 9's.

 He comes in picks it up and comments on the nut repair. He plays it in my presence. It sounds good. I ask him how it plays, He says "Good".  He pays for 1 hour shop time and parts.  Remember this is a beat -up low-end cheapo uncared for instrument that now plays "Good" when it didn't before.

An hour later I get a call from the client.  He's home , plugged in, and is complaining about "buzzing everywhere." I am puzzled and ask, "but didn't it just play good here? What happend?

Now this sets him off on a rant and rave about how he's been down this road, and he gets it now, and how my first response says it all, and thats how it is. HE IS OBNOXIOUS...and wants to control the conversation about me being wrong...but swears over and over he's not angry...all the while becoming louder and more agitated. I'm also still puzzled and somewhat upset. Remember again this is a cheap, trashed, uncared for, that was broken and beat when it was brought to me. I charged less than ratecard cause I thought his not wanting a real setup, etc., was based on means.

I spend at  least 15 miniutes repeatedly offering to make it right, to make it good, to make him happy. This means either setting up again for real and for free, or giving back some cash. I WANT HIM TO BE SATISFIED!!!!  HE IS A CLIENT !!!!  IF I AM HAPPY ABOUT THIS GUITAR TURNING OUT WELL< WHY ISN"T HE??????   THIS REALLY SUCKS!

NOPE. NADA. ZIPPO. ZILCH....He just goes on and on about educating me about how much he knows, and on the difference between accoustic and electric instruments and frets and buzzes...and how I need to recognize the differences....and how he has learned his lesson at the price of my invoice, and how he now knows better.

Now here is the point:  I CAN'T (and you shouldn't) TAKE IT PERSONAL.   I learned awhile ago from a mentor who is in a position to know..... about these "monster guitar mutant super ogres". Never knew I  had met one before I got his insight and advice, but it sure explains a lot of behavior.

HERE IS THAT ADVICE:    THERE ARE GUITAR MUTANTS OUT THERE WHO HAVE BUT ONE MISSION IN LIFE!..... THAT MISSION IS TO FIND FAULT WITH THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE, BAD-MOUTH YOUR WORK TO EVERYONE THEY CAN, AND MOVE ON TO A NEW LUTHIER. AND THEN REPEAT THE WHOLE PROCESS WITH THE NEXT LUTHIER . OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

Try to make it right, and try again. And then keep trying. Maybe you can help change it. But you just can't take it personal cause that's how it is. Antonio Stradivari would get the same treatment.

-Peter-

August 21, 2008
For a while now, in the short weeks that we have been an entity of the community of brick and mortar storefronts, we have marveled at the variety of experience that strolls and sometimes charges through the door.

Of Note:  We have now had the privilege of up close and private performances by more absolutely amazing players, achieved via the guise of their trying out our instruments.

Kudos to Danny Draher of Paul Butterfield, Etta James, and Dr.John note, whose Chicago and Delta styles just blew us away as he dug into our Tele's and SwampKasters.  We are proud to have gotten his Tele back in shape in short order while he stopped by enroute to a recent  NYC gig.

Also greatly enjoyed the complex Americana fingerstyle of a very nice gentleman who turned out to be one Steve Katz of Blues Project fame, who stopped by on his way to the airport to catch up with Blood, Sweat, and Tears..his current project. 

Who else will brighten the doorway with even more great tone???? All I know is it keeps on getting better.

On a less positive tack, and as a parent, I simply cannot fathom how a guest from the Peddlar could  walk in with his pre-teen, state that "he'll be fine, he loves guitars", and then announce "I'll be back in 15 minutes. We're going to a wedding and I need to shower."   Showing up a half hour later, throwing a couple of bucks at me for a few picks, he made a hasty exit.  This dude never even considered that he did not know me or of me, never considered that this is a business and not a day-care, and obviously was not even remotely considerate of his son's well-being or safety in unknown and unfamiliar surroundings.  Next time I call the "POLIZEI" and report an abandoned child.

FINALLY, (for this ramble anyhow), I will not assist ANY client with defrauding a builder or manufacturer. No matter how much you want to pay.  If you bought it on Ebay and are not the original "warranty" owner, please own up to it. Keep your cellphone calls to manufacturers support to yourself, and dont have me intervene with my counterparts at the manufacturer on your behalf, just so you can save a few bucks by getting free parts instead of purchasing them through me. 

No matter how many horses you breed, or how many years you have collected guitars, (30 years and still unable to tune even one??), I will not enable your lying, your cheating,  or your attempts  to defraud.  Regarding what you refer to as "the country bumpkins around here",... I personally thank heaven for good sensible people hereabouts who have an idea of what it means to have some integrity as an inherent part of the human condition in a real world!!!!  You should do so good.

bye for now Peter S - BDGT

July 16, 2008

While the man himself stayed at the hotel,  several members of the band and hangers-on spent some quality time here at Barking Dog. I am still marveling at the quality of the human beings that are part of the pro players community...and enjoy immensely the fact that they are stopping by at down time moments at the Warner....A re-connection with Keith Mahler, noted and tasteful concert promoter was especially serendipitous, resulting in a chance to attend the show...

The show itself ??????....With new roles being assumed in the lineup, a new drummer, and less vocalists than previously, the band was pretty amazing....and of course, Brian was Brian,  offering that rare chance to see genius perform in the flesh.

june 26,2008

We were disappointed that last weeks visit to town by Boz Skaggs was visitless to Barking Dog. We had thought that maybe northern CA's guitar dude from the Sonoma area would be intrigued by the vintage barking dog, but, we were mistaken. Not even the roadies seemed remotely interested, seemingly  more enamored of the espresso baristas at Chiane's next door. 

However, the Bass player from the KidzBop tour stopped in and was very welcome company....appreciative of what we offer and are trying to accomplish as a player's environment. 

We are considering a waterless hand cleaner station for our customers. This is selfish on our part,  as we like to try and have our instruments in-tune and "un-grunged."  We are spending alot of time polishing and un-smudging, and thought the health benefits of not spreading quite so many viruses via the fretboard might be OK with y'all. Your Thoughts on this are welcomed.

Finally, a statement on one of our policies.  We do NOT hang pricing and tags on our stock. Partially because we dont have the time to maintain the practice. But primarily because we feel that every instrument should talk to whoever wants to check it out. We feel that tags and prices will put off alot of folks and get in the way of their actually  picking up an instrument that is screaming "Play Me!"..

We maintain and update a hardcopy pricelist at each end of the store and close to the phones, and refer to it when there is a need. 

We do NOT make things up after sizing you up, nor do we refer to an unviewable computer terminal screen for "secret" prices as do some of the "Big" stores.   Please know we will gladly show you the store pricelist, and are happy to quote the price of an item from it. Just ask.

June 1,2008
Opening day jitters were relieved a whole lot by the North Carolina touring indie band "Giant". who unexpectedly were in town for a show Firday...

 Knowledgable in guitar and tubes, and all things musical, totally into the gear,, these guys made my day, as we talked, and they played most of my inventory....just hangin out.  A great bunch of human beings...you should see them if you get the chance...Not your average rock band....they displayed musical styles way beyond what I hear on their clips.....they are welcome back here any time they choose...

June 1, 2008
Many thanks to the folks who stopped by on their way to the Foreigner concert at the Warner on May 30. It was great to see the interest, great to talk to all the other G.A.S. patients, and really amazing to see the word-of-mouth buzz  about the store kick in the next day...We are looking forward to working with all.

May 2,2008
We are excited to announce that our new Pin Bridge Steel String Halfling Guitar has already caught the attention of Acoustic Guitar Magazine!  Senior Editor, Teja Gerken, reviewed the guitar in this month’s issue.  After playing the Halfling Teja wrote:
 
“Playing the guitar, I was particularly impressed by the way that notes appeared to continue their dynamic development even after my fingers had left the string. Combined with the rich bass, great clarity, and expansive volume, the guitar offered a sonic experience quite unlike any other instrument I’ve had the pleasure to make music with.”
 
Check out the full article Acoustic Guitar Magazine or on their website!  Also be sure to watch the video of Tom Ribbecke explaining the Halfling technology and Teja demonstrating the sound of our newest guitar!  Link Acoustic Guitar Magazine
We have a limited number of inaugural Pin Bridge Steel String Halfling Guitars in reserve!  Call to order one today!       Call us

April 26, 2008
Barking Dog Guitar Traders has announced the "soft" opening of the its retail storefront at 83 Main Street, Torrington, CT.

Originally striving for an opening to occur the first week of June, the store will now be open for business in time to coincide with the start of the summer season , a few days after the Memorial Day holiday.

The Foreigner concert at the Warner Theater also takes place on May 30.

 Barking Dog management stated;

"We felt it would be very cool to be lit up and operational by the date of the concert.  This is an opportunity for us to be available and to have our select instruments and items accessible to be viewed by a crowd that should really understand  the Rock Music thing."

"Since we relate and interface so well to the performing arts and the rock genre', we thought the concert folks would relate well to us, and that it was worth the extra effort to get things fired up. It helps us demonstrate a little bit of the scene that is beginning to really happen here in Torrington and Northwest CT."

"Actually, it's just an excuse to get a chance to meet the band, in case they find some time to walk across the street." 

April 24, 2008
Tom Ribbecke has named Barking Dog Guitar Traders as broker for the Ribbecke private line of custom instruments.  In late 2007 Tom announced the Final 25 instrument slots of his private line, classed as "the Masterpiece Series."  

Arguably one of the best archtop guitar artisans in the world today, Ribbecke's work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute, and the Boston Museum. His work was included as a commissioned builder participant in the famous "Blue Guitar" collection, celebrating the tradition of legendary guitar builders John D'Angelico and James D'Aquisto.