Hamer Guitar Techs in New Jersey

[rugby1970]

Specifically, central New Jersey? Trying to find a good Hamer tech in my area. There is a guy who is very good but he's a bit of an iconoclast. Her used to own the local music store but sold it because he didn't like the customer interface. Now he does repairs and setups out of the store but will not talk to the customers. He's good and likes Hamers but I want to talk to him about the work I want done to my guitars.

So long story short, Bueller?.................. Bueller?

[Bobby Marshall]

Contact Murkat about what you want done.

He is not "local" as you have outlined but Murkat is the one you want. Lots of experience with Hamers. Know his stuff. Great communications.

I have sent Murkat 6 guitars and I have had experience with other guys in Chicago and in New Jersey I used to send my work. I live near Chicago and it's not like there are no options around here.

There is really no good reason to not use Murkat. Send me a PM if you want to discuss further. Or better yet, send Murkat a PM.

[cmatthes]

TOTALLY agree. Jay is fair and honest as well.

[mrjamiam]

+1 for Murkat. Probably not an easy option for someone in New Jersey, but hand-carrying the guitar to NTL and chatting with Jay while he fixes up your baby is a great experience.

[cynic]

Isn't kizanski in New Jersey? Surely he's got some tools. I vote we let him take a crack at it.

[rugby1970]

Isn't kizanski in New Jersey? Surely he's got some tools. I vote we let him take a crack at it.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[dobieboy]

Sent you a PM I use Golden Age Fretted Instruments in Westfield NJ, their guitar tech is Peter Becker, from Mandolin Bros..

[Studio Custom]

Bill Baker at Dave's Sound in Whippany in north jersey.

[rugby1970]

Sent you a PM I use Golden Age Fretted Instruments in Westfield NJ, their guitar tech is Peter Becker, from Mandolin Bros..

Didn't receive it but thank you.

Bill Baker at Dave's Sound in Whippany in north jersey.

Thank you.

Does anyone know about Raritan Bay Guitars in Freehold?

[tbonesullivan]

I had Raritan Bay fix a crack in my G&L ebony fretboard and give it a setup. They are nice to deal with and have a large staff.

For most stuff though I go to Bill Baker in Whippany.

What are you looking to have done? Major modding or just setup work?

[rugby1970]

I had Raritan Bay fix a crack in my G&L ebony fretboard and give it a setup. They are nice to deal with and have a large staff.

For most stuff though I go to Bill Baker in Whippany.

What are you looking to have done? Major modding or just setup work?

I'm looking to have a finish separation on the neck/fret board fixed. Might have pickups changed in my Eclipse if it doesn't sell. I want my Artist Custom looked at thoroughly.

Thanks and good to hear from you.

[tbonesullivan]

Ok, if there is Finish issues, then Bill Baker is out. He does great work but he doesn't do finish work, AFAIK. Is it on an unbound neck, or bound? Is it a recent model, or one of the years susceptible to "hameritis"?

Is there any issue in particular you were concerned with regarding the artist custom?

There is also always Greg at BCR music. I am not sure if they are doing finish work there anymore though. I am sure they still do touchups though, but probably no refins.

[dobieboy]

I can also vouch for Bill Baker, in addition to doing great work and a professional clientele including Ace Frehley, he's a great guy!

[rugby1970]

On the neck finish separation it is an unbound neck. I had a Fender Tele with a similar problem. The tech (who's card I can't find and who works out of his house) I went to cut the finish with a razor and applied crazy guy to the affected area. He then scraped it, and finished the area; it was dead nuts on!

I also want to change the stock bridge on my T-51.

Yeah, my guitars are all mid-90's, each prone to the dreaded Hameritis.

[tbonesullivan]

The only guitar I really had with hameritis were two eclipses. I have three hamers from the 90s, and they only have hameritis on the side of the nut. They are also all unbound necks.

The process you described is pretty much the best way to get rid of it: thin superglue run under the edge of the finish, followed by scraping. Was the tech up on route 206? Over a small Bridge? I think I may have gone there.

T-51 bridge replacement should be doable by a lot of poeple. You have one of the stock weird wilkinson fixed bridges? Were you looking to go more for an ashtray, or something else? I'm sure others here have previously replaced the bridges, so they might have some suggestions as to what would fit.

[rugby1970]

The only guitar I really had with hameritis were two eclipses. I have three hamers from the 90s, and they only have hameritis on the side of the nut. They are also all unbound necks.

The process you described is pretty much the best way to get rid of it: thin superglue run under the edge of the finish, followed by scraping. Was the tech up on route 206? Over a small Bridge? I think I may have gone there.

T-51 bridge replacement should be doable by a lot of poeple. You have one of the stock weird wilkinson fixed bridges? Were you looking to go more for an ashtray, or something else? I'm sure others here have previously replaced the bridges, so they might have some suggestions as to what would fit.

Yup, That's the guy. He used to be at Mandolin Brothers and started his own gig in Bridgewater. Can't say anything bad about him; always top quality work!

I have another post here about the T-51 but I didn't see any responses from folks that have done this to their own guitar.

I'll keep looking. Thanks much.