Thoughts on repair work...

And a re-cap for a customer.

Since my hand surgeries last year, I have been trying to lean into some parts of our business that are easier on my body. Writing is the obvious one, since you are here to read this, but repair work is another. Building from scratch has a better profit margin, but it is harder on my body. Especially when I insist on harvesting, salvaging or milling my own stock. So, I have been taking a repair job every other month or so. I have been using these jobs to improve my skills and leveraging them for writing projects here and elsewhere. I also like that vintage instruments connect with my love of history and research, which again leads to more writing ideas.

Last week I showed a bridge repair on a Martin ukulele. The instrument is all done, so I thought I would share a little bit here, with the customer’s permission. In hindsight, I should have asked for more pictures, but I am still new to a proper intake process, it seems. Here is one she sent, showing a side with lots of cracks, some missing splinters and a few chunks barely holding on. It is smeared with old glue and even some bad spray finish.