Interesting points today Sam. I'm a couple of years younger than your good self, but have been going through similar thoughts while running my own business. Weird thing getting older is that with wisdom comes tiredness 😂 and being able to concentrate properly for 10-12 hours solid - like I could 20 years ago - is not possible anymore (sob). As such I have to get as much of the high effort work done during 4-5 hours in the middle of the day when my head and body are on form. Then I can do 3-5 more hours (sometimes more) on the less mentally tasking aspects of the job. However, like yourself, I'm just about making enough to get by and pay the bills. I'm not fixing up guitars like yourself because I would really need a small workshop like yourself to make it practical (I live in a flat so no shed even). Now that would be a cost to rent and heat etc. Then while I have all the tools and spares I need for most things, I'd probably end up spending a fair few thousands if not more to get various machinery and additional tools/spares/consumables so I could offer a wider range of services beyond electronics and basic setups. Add to that the fact that I am based in a city with a number of really good independent guitar techs and luthiers, some offering very cheap setups (I was shocked) and are also half my age so know all the bands and musicians. Well, I guess I realised that old codger in an attic guitar repairs was never going to be a going concern. However, I still love working on guitars and have a number of friends my own age who entrust their guitars to me for repairs and upgrades which I am happy to do for a small fee. So I admire what you are doing mate, but it will always be a nice hobby for me to keep my brain and body alive in retirement when it comes 👍 You are so right in thinking outside the box about services and products that you can offer beyond the standing for hours working in the shop. In my main business, that's exactly what myself and my business partner are working on and its definitely taking some of the financial pressure off :) For me, I'll enjoy taking vicarious pleasure in watching you relove the guitars that pass through your hands, and listening to your thoughts as you drill, scrape and tighten. Long may you ride good sir, but definitely good that you are thinking about taking off some of the pressure 👍👍👍👍 PS: Glad it's not just me who has to deal with Dremmel flying heads coming off 😂😂😂😂
Hey Sam 👋 taller frets and ingvey's guitars have scalupt fretboards which makes bending easy! Thanks for the video 👍
Interesting points today Sam. I'm a couple of years younger than your good self, but have been going through similar thoughts while running my own business. Weird thing getting older is that with wisdom comes tiredness 😂 and being able to concentrate properly for 10-12 hours solid - like I could 20 years ago - is not possible anymore (sob). As such I have to get as much of the high effort work done during 4-5 hours in the middle of the day when my head and body are on form. Then I can do 3-5 more hours (sometimes more) on the less mentally tasking aspects of the job. However, like yourself, I'm just about making enough to get by and pay the bills. I'm not fixing up guitars like yourself because I would really need a small workshop like yourself to make it practical (I live in a flat so no shed even). Now that would be a cost to rent and heat etc. Then while I have all the tools and spares I need for most things, I'd probably end up spending a fair few thousands if not more to get various machinery and additional tools/spares/consumables so I could offer a wider range of services beyond electronics and basic setups. Add to that the fact that I am based in a city with a number of really good independent guitar techs and luthiers, some offering very cheap setups (I was shocked) and are also half my age so know all the bands and musicians. Well, I guess I realised that old codger in an attic guitar repairs was never going to be a going concern. However, I still love working on guitars and have a number of friends my own age who entrust their guitars to me for repairs and upgrades which I am happy to do for a small fee. So I admire what you are doing mate, but it will always be a nice hobby for me to keep my brain and body alive in retirement when it comes 👍 You are so right in thinking outside the box about services and products that you can offer beyond the standing for hours working in the shop. In my main business, that's exactly what myself and my business partner are working on and its definitely taking some of the financial pressure off :) For me, I'll enjoy taking vicarious pleasure in watching you relove the guitars that pass through your hands, and listening to your thoughts as you drill, scrape and tighten. Long may you ride good sir, but definitely good that you are thinking about taking off some of the pressure 👍👍👍👍
PS: Glad it's not just me who has to deal with Dremmel flying heads coming off 😂😂😂😂