Neck Surgery Kit
After 23 years of support and encouragement the GRAD courses continue online!
Join Michael McConville on
Patreon
Become a patron
Jackson Guitar
CGCFAD Tuning
Video: TechDeck Tips / Components
https://youtu.be/ufZyR-crOPI
After 23 years of teaching ...
Guitar Repair and Design Courses,
it has become clear,
without exception, that
the students who purchased
TechDeck workstations,
are the ones who have
succeeded and endured
in the trade ... opening
up music stores, working for
music stores, starting up their
own guitar shops, either building
or repairing guitars,
( in many instances both )
or picked up
gigs as touring Techs.
Taylor Guitar Neck Re-set Video:
https://youtu.be/uIG0254cg4Q
Thanks goes out to the 300 + students
who came to study with me
over this past couple of decades.
Wishing joy and prosperity to All.
Thanks also goes out to the100's of
TechDeck Workstation customers,
from around the World.
We are very excited to be rolling out
the new Family of Workstations
over the next few months.
We look forward to meeting many of you
on our travels as we hit the road this coming year.
Be sure to check the blog and the
StringTech Workstations YouTube channel
... we'll keep you in the loop ...
as the story continues to unfold.
No-nonsense Guitar Fret Dress Video:
https://youtu.be/JMvzBajvD4g
Steve Vai's Guitar Tech
https://youtu.be/Vt2d4wYfhLE
The guitar family extrapolates in many directions ...Patreon
Become a patron
Jackson Guitar
CGCFAD Tuning
Video: TechDeck Tips / Components
https://youtu.be/ufZyR-crOPI
After 23 years of teaching ...
Guitar Repair and Design Courses,
it has become clear,
without exception, that
the students who purchased
TechDeck workstations,
are the ones who have
succeeded and endured
in the trade ... opening
up music stores, working for
music stores, starting up their
own guitar shops, either building
or repairing guitars,
( in many instances both )
or picked up
gigs as touring Techs.
Taylor Guitar Neck Re-set Video:
https://youtu.be/uIG0254cg4Q
Thanks goes out to the 300 + students
who came to study with me
over this past couple of decades.
Wishing joy and prosperity to All.
Thanks also goes out to the100's of
TechDeck Workstation customers,
from around the World.
We are very excited to be rolling out
the new Family of Workstations
over the next few months.
We look forward to meeting many of you
on our travels as we hit the road this coming year.
Be sure to check the blog and the
StringTech Workstations YouTube channel
... we'll keep you in the loop ...
as the story continues to unfold.
No-nonsense Guitar Fret Dress Video:
https://youtu.be/JMvzBajvD4g
Steve Vai's Guitar Tech
https://youtu.be/Vt2d4wYfhLE
12 string / Arch top / solid body /
fretted and fretless basses / nylon string classicals
Strats / Tele / Les Paul / etc... etc ...
This opportunity, see you to examine
and adjust so many different types of guitars,
and to observe the idiosyncrasies and "rules of physics"
for each member of the guitar family;
this is what has made these videos so endearing.
Restoring, repairing, building, teaching and playing guitar
has been my journey, this past 45 years.
Every year we continue to "raise the bar",
in a constant quest for new and better ways to
Elevate the the Art of Guitar Repair and Design.
Every year we continue to "raise the bar",
in a constant quest for new and better ways to
Elevate the the Art of Guitar Repair and Design.
It has always been my mission, to enlighten and inspire
all of those who have taken the time to attend
the Conestoga College courses,
and to those from the Global community
who continue to peruse my musings
observations and instructions
the Conestoga College courses,
and to those from the Global community
who continue to peruse my musings
observations and instructions
here on the McConville Guitars Blog,
and now through the
Patreon Channel
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all,
for years of support and encouragement.
and now through the
Patreon Channel
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all,
for years of support and encouragement.
Dear Michael,
You have been delivering this training through Continuing Education at Conestoga College for over 15 years ( actually 23 years ! ) now. The quality of your courses and the feedback from your students is nothing but exceptional. Your passion is contagious. Your students respect your knowledge and you inspire them to further develop their skills and allow them the opportunity to apply what they have learned. Conestoga College is proud to have you as a Professor. You are expert in your field, reliable, punctual and a pleasure to work with!
Sincerely,
Sandra Schelling
Dean, Continuing Education and Corporate Training
Conestoga College
( October 2010 )
( October 2010 )
Back in the mid 1960's, when I first got into the guitar repair scene, there wasn't much to choose from as far as supplies, information and tools. The only places I could find at that time were Franz Dotzauer in Erlangen West Germany and Bill Lewis Musical in Vancouver ( which was eventually bought out and moved to California and re-named Luthiers Mercantile ).
When the early Guild of American Luthiers issues came out (1972 ) , things finally started to open up. Now of course, thanks to the internet, there are numerous sources to choose from for tools, wood, bodies, necks, hardware, fret supplies, finishing supplies and instructional videos on various repair and fabrication techniques. Realistically, like any trade or craft, it still takes hands-on experience to develop these skills to a level of excellance.
Like any other trade or craft,
it is not enough to be good ....
you need to be good and efficient
in order to turn over the work
in a timely fashion.
These old shots ( before the advent of digital cameras ) taken at my Brunswick St. shop, will give you all a glimpse into a time ( 25 years ago ) where I had just started to teach my first Conestoga College "Guitar Repair and Design" courses and had retro-fitted an old chair-factory into a fully functional Guitar Design / Restoration and Teaching facility .
I am very grateful for this period.
All of this became possible due to the help,
faith and encouragement of countless customers,
students and friends who shared
the vision and contributed in so many ways.
Gratefully servicing the guitar industry for 45+ years.
Thanks goes out to all who have contacted me over the years,
with encouraging words and suggestions.
"Elevating the Art of Guitar Repair and Design",
continues to be my mission.
Sincerely,
Michael McConville
Sir Paul McCartney's Guitar Tech Sid Pryce
Sid Pryce
-Paul McCartney's Tech ( since the Beatles !! )
-Tech'd for David Gilmour
-Tech'd for ACDC
I am still humbled, grateful and genuinely excited, Every time
a new customer receives their TechDeck.
Over and over again I witness the type of excitement they feel,
within the first few hours of using this workstation.
Wishing continued prosperity to all.
Michael McConville
Dark Horse Chords / From the Master's hand ... as he wrote it.
1957 Gibson Southern Jumbo
Singer songwriter extraordinaire, Dean McTaggert
was gracious enough to play through the chord changes of
"Dark Horse", the super hit that he wrote for
Amanda Marshall.
Video
Video
Fabricated a replacement bridge.
Slotting for perfect intonation
Butterscotch Tele ... mmmm
Video
Fret dress comp nut / retro fit bridge saddles
Retro fitted 3-way saddles for perfect intonation
Thomas Nordegg's "Executive" TechDeck ... ready for the Steve Via Generation AXE tour.
Thomas Nordegg sent this short video clip,
from his California Workshop, of his
"Full Metal Jacket" TechDeck "Elite"
Locked and loaded for Steve Vai's
Generation AXE Tour ....
with Yngwie Malsteem / Zak Wylde
Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi
Dimitri ( below ) re-glued the loose headstock overlay
on this bouzouki.
He finished up the partial refret
at home on his TechDeck.
Eric has done a complete refret
on his Eric Johnson Strat.
In this shot, he was just removing the nut
in preparation for his comp-nut
next class.
He did all of the
final prep for next week's class,
at home on his TechDeck.
Dereck levelled crowned and polished
the frets and setup this guitar.
Jesse dressed levelled and polished
his frets / removed the nut and prepared the
compensated nut blank for next class.
He finished it up at home, on his TechDeck.
He finished it up at home, on his TechDeck.
Steve removed all of the frets on his guitar and
prepared all of the new frets for installation
at home, on his TechDeck.
at home, on his TechDeck.
Jay steamed the dovetailed neck joint off his
guitar, to reset the neck angle.
He also fitted the nut blank for a 12-string compensated nut
on his TechDeck.
Thomas Nordegg's " Full Metal Jacket" TechDeck "Elite" ... ready for the "Generation Axe" Tour !!
Thomas Nordegg
A lifetime dedicated to “Stoking the Fires” behind the scenes,
for the World’s most Scorching Hot Guitarists !
Thomas's "Full Metal Jacket "
version of the TechDeck "Elite"
.... locked and loaded.
"I’m in the middle of prepping for my upcoming
(April) Asia run with Vai’s GENAXE Tour,
(April) Asia run with Vai’s GENAXE Tour,
but will keep continuously hot-rodding my TECHDECK,
as it’s already taking over my daily most favorite passion,
to just open it and set it up for having the best time,
to dive into the deepest corners of any stringed instrument,
or having actually a real good time, just changing strings ! "
"Wait till you see what I’ve done so far with TECHDECK,
rendering a ‘FORMULA ONE' version of certainly
the ultimate solution for anybody that is serious
or just really passionate about the guitar !"
the ultimate solution for anybody that is serious
or just really passionate about the guitar !"
" I managed to get loads of tools,
of course ever changing,
by strategically employing FOUR Magnet Bars,
offering plenty real estate
for handy tool parking / access ! "
for handy tool parking / access ! "
Kindest regards,
Thomas Nordegg
Guitar Tech's Thomas Nordegg and Sid Pryce .... and their TechDeck "Elite" Workstations
@ Tour Supply
https://youtu.be/iypBPT4veSM
We are humbled and honoured to have
both Thomas Nordegg and Sid Pryce !!
"step up to the plate"
and embrace the TechDeck Workstation.
Thomas N o r d e g g
TechDeck Tips / Components
Thomas Nordegg
- Steve Vai's main Tech for decades
- Tech'd for Yngie Malmsteem
_ Tech'd for Jimmy Page
This was never about price,
I use 6 / 8 TechDecks
for my College Classes,
and use 2 daily,
in my home workshop.
Thanks for a great product and exemplary service!
R.L. Burns Las Vegas Nevada ( May 2015 )
We are humbled and honoured to have
both Thomas Nordegg and Sid Pryce !!
"step up to the plate"
and embrace the TechDeck Workstation.
Hi Michael !
"I can tell you that, for the past 2 weeks, and in particular the past 4 days, my passion for the TD has grown, exponentially, by the hour !
TECHDECK is truly brilliant in so many ways and a priceless tool for any guitar person, expert or novice !
I've actually used that 'foam' method for years, and always have custom angled blocks done by my local road case guy, that always last for quite a while, before I replace them with new ones...
This way I can quickly find and return my tools in an instant, and at 71 years of age, every second matters, haha...
As mentioned, I just worked on 12 guits, basses from the Hollywood School Of Rock, that needed TLC, to be up and running properly..."
This way I can quickly find and return my tools in an instant, and at 71 years of age, every second matters, haha...
As mentioned, I just worked on 12 guits, basses from the Hollywood School Of Rock, that needed TLC, to be up and running properly..."
Forever thankful,
Kindest regards,
Thomas N o r d e g g
Video
Thomas Nordegg
- Steve Vai's main Tech for decades
- Tech'd for Yngie Malmsteem
_ Tech'd for Jimmy Page
or any type of an "ego-driven" objective.
It was a simple, straight forward mission:
To create the safest
and most versatile workstation possible.
Guitar Repair and Design
The TechDeck's design,
function and versatility,
has eliminated the
the need for vices, dial calipers
arbour presses, vice grips,
or computer controlled
fret dressing machines,
when working on guitars.
All of your fret-work needs
are now met,
in one multi-adjustable package.
Fret work and fret dressing
just got a whole lot easier.
Thomas Nordegg
A lifetime dedicated to “Stoking the Fires” behind the scenes,
for the World’s most Scorching Hot Guitarists !
Thomas's "Full Metal Jacket "
version of the TechDeck "Elite"
.... locked and loaded.
"I’m in the middle of prepping for my upcoming
(April) Asia run with Vai’s GENAXE Tour,
(April) Asia run with Vai’s GENAXE Tour,
but will keep continuously hot-rodding my TECHDECK,
as it’s already taking over my daily most favorite passion,
to just open it and set it up for having the best time,
to dive into the deepest corners of any stringed instrument,
or having actually a real good time, just changing strings ! "
"Wait till you see what I’ve done so far with TECHDECK,
rendering a ‘FORMULA ONE' version of certainly
the ultimate solution for anybody that is serious
or just really passionate about the guitar !"
the ultimate solution for anybody that is serious
or just really passionate about the guitar !"
" I managed to get loads of tools,
of course ever changing,
by strategically employing FOUR Magnet Bars,
offering plenty real estate
for handy tool parking / access ! "
for handy tool parking / access ! "
"Can’t wait to have it on a Tour ! !"
Kindest regards,
Thomas Nordegg
"I've stood back and smiled, and shook my head,
as the industry has gone around and around,
chasing it's tail over the last decade ...
trying to find a solution ... spending scads of cash;
while I calmly show total beginners how
to do flawless fretwork on the TechDeck,
after an hour of training". MMcC
I use 6 / 8 TechDecks
for my College Classes,
and use 2 daily,
in my home workshop.
Hello Michael,
Long time, no chat. I hope all goes well in beautiful Stratford.
I have been using my TechDeck regularly since I got it from you. I know you've heard this before, but I really don't know how I got along without it. It just makes everything so much easier.
Best regards from Ottawa. ( May 2015 )
Murray
( Murray Jackson .... bought his TechDeck in November 2011 )
R.L. Burns Las Vegas Nevada ( May 2015 )
The new ability to be able to handle all of the
numerous shapes and sizes of instruments ...
( Flying -V shape / Upright Bass / Mandolin / Round Back / Arch-Top )
holding them firmly and safely,
in the most advantageous position, for
all of the various tasks and procedures,
switching from instrument to instrument in seconds;
this is a very liberating feeling !
With the help of the in-class TechDecks,
students, by their second class,
are routinely doing fret dresses
/ levelling / re-crowning and polishing ....
A customer's comment after he picked up his Strat,
from my shop, this week.
Over the last couple of years my enjoyment of playing the Strat
has been slowly declining without realizing
that the instrument needed quality work.
However, after playing it more today I got back those
old feelings of satisfaction and contentment.
Sooo satisfying. To my ear it even has a richer more complex tone.
Excellent work!
Thank you, thank you and oh yeah thank you,
Brian Hadley
The students and myself constantly correct jobs
that were done using other methods ..... including
jobs that employed the use of $100, 000 ++ CNC machines
and multi-post dial callipers arrangements ;^ )
The TechDecks that we use in GRAD classes allow us to
"cut-to-the-chase"
"cut-to-the-chase"
and execute these jobs flawlessly, with some very simple,
inexpensive tools that I make up for the students.
I make up a selection of
of 3 sanding blocks.
With those sanding blocks,
in combination with the TechDeck Workstation;
the students
do a perfect radius or compound radius
for any guitar in a few minutes.
The TechDeckers from Denmark to Australia,
Italy to the UK, New York to Toronto,
LA, BC, Nova Scotia, Calgary, Nfld,
Atlanta Georgia, Ohio, Oregon etc.. etc..
they are all easily
" turning over the price of their workstations"
while increasing
the capabilities of their shop,
and raising the
profile of their businesses.
Every time a customers see's
you strap down their guitar
on the multi-adjustable TechDeck;
the word spreads, and your business grows ;^ ) !
When it comes to any type of fret work,
fingerboard levelling or radiusing,
the TechDeck Workstation gives you
serious ROI !
The fret work,
fingerboard radiusing and levelling,
are just a couple of examples
of the endless list of jobs,
that the TechDeck turns into
routine daily work.
Jeff Hayward
just sent this message after trying out his sanding blocks
at home ... ( Dec 12th 2013 )
Hi Mike,
I'm just finishing the neck to body levelling
on the harmony fingerboard (the 3 blocks you made rock!)
BTW the harmony has a compound radius 9.5 at the head to 12
at the body. (again, the small blocks rock!)
Cheers,
Jeff Hayward
BTW: Jeff bought a TechDeck too ;^ )
TechDeck Order / Purchasing
Sales: 519 796 0332
info@techdeckworkstations.com
info@techdeckworkstations.com
The following accessories are available for all TechDecks:
Extra V-Block $17. 50
Bridge Slotting Jig $187. 50
Neck Surgery Kit $315.00
Neck Surgery Kit $315.00
For International Customers:
Shipping the BSJ in the TechDeck carton,
can amount to quite a significant savings in shipping costs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
