The Repair Shop

Roland · April 2019

David Kennett from Flame Guitars appeared on BBC1’s Repair Shop on Wednesday. He was restoring the Fender bass of Tony Wilson from Hot Chocolate. There’s not a lot of detail, mainly a re-fret and distressing replacement parts, but it’s nice to see guitar repair featuring on mainstream media.

I missed the broadcast because I went to see @digitalscream’s gig, but watched it this afternoon on iPlayer Series 4: Episode 18: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0004b87

CasperCaster · April 2019

@Roland thanks for posting that. I wasn't aware of it but I'll enjoy it when a get some spare time at the weekend.

paulnb57 · April 2019

Got it recoreded and will watch later, there are some very skilled folk on this programme.

sweepy · April 2019

Watched it last night, first thing he’ll do is take those bloody covers off and get someone to set it up, you could limbo under those strings

SteveRobinson · April 2019

sweepy said:

Watched it last night, first thing he’ll do is take those bloody covers off and get someone to set it up, you could limbo under those strings

Agreed, the covers are for show only. And I suspect that with the bass being years in the shed, neck bowed, it's pretty much set like that.

breakstuff · April 2019

Been waiting for this episode to come on.

Absolutely love this show and have seen every episode so far. Look extra forward to watching this one.

On a side note,the episode earlier in the series where the old gent gets his old radio restored is utterly magical. Such a lovely show.

Mgeek · April 2019

I watched this yesterday and almost choked on my dinner...

To deal with a gouged looking area on the back of the neck, he stripped *all* the original finish off, and planed the entire thing with a spoke shave, before putting an oil finish on it.

Pics can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/338735022804158/photos/a.345000818844245/2959461617398139/?type=3&theater

I'm by no means an expert, but personally I'd have gone with something far less drastic- perhaps drop filling that area with lacquer or sanding sealer(?) and blending it in to the original finish. Aside from the issues with it being a vintage bass, Jazz basses aren't known for their tree trunk necks, so I'd be concerned about it's continued existence, especially as it looked like it was already a bit of a banana

Thoughts?

Sarge · April 2019

Did anyone else spot the ill seated frets on the handover? Also I can't believe he shaved the neck so drastically I suppose the lad could find a second use for it now, as a bow and arrow maybe? That guy was no luthier.

impmann · May 2019

The guy is a member of this forum - see the thread elsewhere....

andy_k · May 2019

they are showing re-runs now, did anybody see the violin restoration?
Violin passed down 3 generations, went through Auschwitz, repair involved taking the top off, which revealed a late 19th century signature. Anyhoo, the fingerboard was off it, and was very worn-he even said you could see the fingerprints. Then he proceeded to glue it on, and planed all the wear off.
I was thinking---why not put on a new fingerboard-to make the instrument playable, and leave the original intact.
Also, when handed over-no mention of the sig, which he could have easily took a picture of.
It sounded ok at the end, and a pro played a new composition for the owner, but I just felt he could have been a bit more sympathetic with the board, given its history.

prowla · May 2019

I have to say that after the bass episode I haven’t watched any more and I deleted them from my planner.

fretfinder · September 2021

I’m watching the bass restoration episode right now and was also shocked when he started shaving the neck so dramatically.

Rocker · September 2021

fretfinder said:

I’m watching the bass restoration episode right now and was also shocked when he started shaving the neck so dramatically.

As I understand it, they restore items that have sentimental value to the owners. They don’t restore items to increase their resale value.

andy_k · September 2021

Rocker said:

fretfinder said:

I’m watching the bass restoration episode right now and was also shocked when he started shaving the neck so dramatically.

As I understand it, they restore items that have sentimental value to the owners. They don’t restore items to increase their resale value.

Or, in that case, preserve any originality, or original value.

maharg101 · September 2021

Well that settles it, I'm NOT taking my strat there !!!!

Flip · December 2021

Come on friends, this is television not reality. Check out the other programme in which Vic Flick takes his old strat to a US auction house... I read elsewhere the instrument was subsequently sold on for much less than the 'expert' valued it.

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