Cardiff Guitar Services & Repair

15/08/2023

Dear all - I've now moved out of the Ship Lane workshop. I'm definitely *not* closing up - I'll be moving into a home-based workshop shortly (once I've sorted the roof out!). I'll also be catching up with messages from recent weeks, apologies if you've not had a reply from me yet.

In the meantime, I'll still be doing basic bench-based setups at Tortoise Music Exchange, Cardiff, but I'll be holding off on more involved repairs and work until my new workspace is finished. Thank you in advance for your patience!

Those of you who visited me on Ship Lane will know what a...'quirky'...place it was. I'll certainly miss it!

02/06/2023

Hello friends! I do have an excuse for being quiet recently - I've just opened Tortoise Music Exchange, Cardiff.

The shop also serves as a slightly more convenient pickup/dropoff point if you're having guitar work done, or if you need a consultation.

Find me on the first floor of Jacobs Market, open Thurs/Fri/Sat 9.30am - 5pm.

08/03/2023

Gardiner Houlgate's March guitar action has just started. I'll be travelling down there to pick up a couple of spares lots I've got my eye on. If anyone in Bristol/Cardiff/Newport needs it, I can collect and drop off items to you for a minimal charge (like a fiver per item). Drop me a message if you need this.

06/02/2023

Dan's SG Tribute was in last week. The stock PCB was replaced with proper components (CTS pots, Sprague cap, cloth wire, the works), had a Bareknuckle Black Dog installed as the bridge pickup, and a cover added to the neck pickup. Full setup and fret polish as well.

You can go round in circles listening for 'tonal differences' when changing electronics, but we both agree it sounds much better now!

28/01/2023

The consignor of this guitar has advised me that he is will to accept offers below £220 on this particular instrument. Get in touch to arrange a deal.

21/01/2023

Had a few guitars on consignment come in today. I'll post them over the coming days to avoid clogging up peoples' feeds!

Firstly: Yamaha Pacifica (PAC112VMX) in 'Yellow Natural Satin.'

Excellent overall - nearly 'shop floor' condition (pickup still has plastic cover). Some pickguard wear and a scratch to the lacquer on the upper rear body contour. Set up with 9s, very low action. Hot humbucker pickup!

£220 with a soft case.

21/01/2023

09/01/2023

Today's offering: unbranded archtop jazz-box.

Made in China, no markings but clearly a half-hearted Gretsch rip-off. I've redone the electronics on this one and put new pickups in. Overall good condition, binding is not the cleanest in places, and there are some holes in the top near the tailpiece where there was probably a tremolo at one point.

Strung with 9s playing really low - but will probably benefit from a heavier gauge (which wouldn't be a problem, neck and truss rod are all good).

£120. I probably have a case for it as well for a bit extra.

06/01/2023

An amp! Peavey Pacer 100 SS Series - 45 watt

Solid state with all of Peavey's bulletproof construction. Fair exterior condition but fully working. Very warm sounding for what it is. These must have had a bit of taper designed into the output stage - it sounds quite full at 'bedroom' levels. Built in spring reverb too, yum.

This one has had a replaced speaker (like-for-like on the original part).

£100. I'll do you a deal if you want it with the Strat from the other day too (they pair very nicely).

04/01/2023

Today’s guitar for sale: Squier 20th Anniversary Bullet Strat.

Currently strung with 9s, setup and ready to go, all working. Lots of wear (‘honest relicing’ to put the sales spin on it) - not quite Rory Gallagher but looks ok if you’re after that sort of thing.

Sounds surprisingly good for a Bullet Strat.

Take it away for £75.