Every Guitarist Should Have One

When one buys a guitar, whether it is new or used, it can use - nay, it needs a proper setup.
Frequently intonation is off, action is very generic, the strings may be very old, et cetera.

With that in mind, many people set about to rectify the situation themselves. Some people are capable of making these adjustments utilizing the many resources available online or through tribal knowledge.
Dan Erlewine's book, 'How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!' being one of the well known sources.

But a greater amount of people do not know what they are doing or do not have the patience necessary to complete the job. And if there are any issues with the instrument, it takes a craftsmans touch to bring out the best the instrument has to offer.
It has to be a labor of love.

That brings me to Andy Brauer. Andy loves guitars. I mean that Andy has a passion for guitars that is infectious and almost innocent in demeanor. His love of guitars is child like - he has a wide eyed sense of wonder when in the presence of a guitar.

I learned of Andy quite by fortuitous accident.
Last Summer I purchased a pair of Sheptone AB Tribute pickups for my SG. They had been very highly recommended by a tech who produces wiring harness ready to drop in your guitar. I had the pickups and a wiring harness and quickly found myself at the limit of my knowledge and more importantly, my patience.
I began looking online for a tech to put my guitar together for me.

Andy's website came into view. I grabbed the phone number, called him and explained my situation.
"Those are my pickups! Sure I can help. When would you like to come by?"
I had a moment...so that was what the AB in AB Tributes stood for! Oh my!

I drove to Valley Village and found his workshop. I handed him my pickups and the wiring harness. Went over the work I wished to be done...a proper setup, install the pickups and the wiring harness. When do I want it back? Is this a dry cleaner? Andy knows that working musicians need their equipment. If they have a gig Saturday, that's when it has to be done.
We made a date and I waited expectantly. The only tech work I had experience with previously was the guy the local music store had hired at minimum wage. Needless to say, that was poorly done work and had for years turned me away from utilizing a competent tech.

I drove back at the appointed time. After greeting Andy and the ensuing pleasantries I sat down and Andy handed me my guitar. I strummed it unplugged. It rang! The action was perfect, the pickups and harness were in place...I was beside myself. It fit me like a glove, as though it were made for me!
And now I understood. A person who loves music and the instruments this much imbues every piece he touches with absolute magic.
The setup included:
frets had been polished
the fretboard oiled
the guitar cleaned and polished
action was very low as I had asked
intonation set
new strings installed.

I subsequently brought Andy my Strat (new nut + setup), my Gretsch (new nut + repair tailpiece + setup), and now he has my newest, the Jaguar (setup).
I cannot wait to get it back.
In each case, he took a nice guitar and made it artwork.

If you play and do not have a tech, get one - post haste! If you live near Los Angeles, call Andy.
If you live further away - factoring in shipping costs. This guy is the Michaelangelo of technical work, you will not be disappointed.
Andy Brauer