I am always amazed at what customers say to us regarding their knowledge and skill when adding guitar parts. The supply and demand for inexpensive guitar parts is huge. So we try and satisfy customers with a great experience but inevitably their self skill expectations are extremely high. However their skill levels appear almost non-existent. If you're a guitar player please be aware of what one of my favorite Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) lines is from the 1973 movie Magnum Force. Just after Harry has knocked-off the last bad guy, he said, "A man's got to know his limitations." That goes for hobbyists as well.
The practical people among us might say, "Wait, I know my limits!" But I would suggest that they don't. For example, many of us believe that we can't do certain things because we weren't born with "those talents". I run into this sometimes when I'm out playing music. People will say, "I wish I could play guitar like that!" I'll ask them, "Then why don't you?" most times, the answer is inevitably, "I just don't have the talent for it".
Each of us comes configured with certain skill leanings when we're born. Some of us come with do-complex-math-in-my-head option. Others come with the run really fast option. Some have the eat anything and stay skinny option. And still others come with the play whatever I hear option.
If you take on a new task to match your skill package, you'll be credited with talent. And if not, you can either give up or you can accept the fact that you're simply going to have to work a little harder and a little longer to accomplish the new task.
If you take on a new task to match your skill package, you'll be credited with talent. And if not, you can either give up or you can accept the fact that you're simply going to have to work a little harder and a little longer to accomplish the new task.
Why Can't You Simply Ask An Expert For Help?
Ego most likely. Then again, we know guitar players have no ego problems. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't "pretend" to be an expert because you've done it before. Because it may have turned out right accidentally. Therefore, if you're called on to repeat it-something may be different this time. Once you pretend to be an "expert" you can't go back and ask for assistance. I am specifically talking about DIY's in the area of guitar repair skill. Yes, there is a multitude of them and they all buy parts on Ebay. They are all experts. I can't believe how many "guitar and luthery experts" I run into on a weekly basis buying something we are selling on eBay.
According to Reverb and Ebay, it is a sellers responsibility to be sure the "guitar part" gets in the proper hands which in my opinion is way too much to ask of any seller. They effectively absolve the expert buyer of any cognitive defects or lack of skill. They say buyers can do no wrong. Fortunately Ebay has a tool available to make sure incompetent "expert" buyers know their limitations-at least in our store, and it's called "the Blocked Bidder list". As a result, we add "experts" to the list regularly. In their minds, it seems it's always the recently purchased "part" that's the problem not their skill level.
Do You Have The Tools and Skill ?
Speaking of "Level" make sure you know what a fret level, a sanding beam, a fret file, a crowning tool and a fret mask is before you call yourself an expert. They are the essential tools in adding a neck to a successful project. So, if you buy an inexpensive neck on Ebay, you can make it GREAT! If you know your limitations! When all else fails-"You can always ask the experts!"
Here are some tools you'll need: Sanding Blocks
You Know Exactly What You're Doing? You're An Expert With Skill?[/caption]Sanding Beam[ You Know Exactly What You're Doing? You're An Expert With Skill?
You Know Exactly What You're Doing? You'reAn Expert With lots of Skill?
You Know Exactly What You're Doing? You have used a notched ruler?
Notched Straight Edge
