I serve a tiny niche of musicians here on this small and culturally isolated
island who play live electric guitars and basses. They have a lot of moxie
since rock and roll, blues, metal, country and worship music, in which
amplified string instruments still figure prominately, is struggling to say the
least.
I grew up in the land that Fender, Rickenbacker, Moserite, Standall and Sunn
Amplification were produced but I have repaired countless other
manufactures' instruments in my 45 years of experience . The electric guitar
and the broad template of sonic colors and textures changed my life and
quite literally saved it. I have been playing out, recording, writing and
repairing these instruments since I was a small boy, learning to solder
spurned by my interest in building slot cars which I'm sure very few
Kamaiana even remember their short lived popularity.
I believe the electric guitar and it's infinite possibilities is a unique and
powerful tool that can make an important statement for change unlike any
other instrument in existance. Whether its intended goal is political,
emotional, spiritual or purely artistic, I love it's potential and always will.
Over the years in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Kauai I have done my best
to keep the instruments and their necessary, essential components in top
shape so when a player picks up his axe he can create without the nuisance
and bother of problems I want to insure his sonic paintbrush is ready to do
it's job.
I also believe in the working people of this country. I believe that they are beyond
equal in their limitless approach to design, and that each and every american worker will,
when faced with a challenge, will meet it head on, overcome it, and take a solemn pride in a job well done.
I back this belief by using American made parts from relatively small American
companies and one man shops as my vendors, endorsees and information
sources. I may not agree with our Government's decisions and I am in dire fear of
what I see as a looming specter of Corporate Plutocracy that threatens our
Democracy and treats our constitution as mere junk mail. I vote with my wallet, I
buy American, and hope for a time when American workers are employed once again
and can take pride in what their heads, hearts and hands have made.
I stand behind my work 100% and my database of resources regarding
locating the appropriate parts and expert advice I have available through
specialized colleagues has taken many years to assemble and is impossible
to put a value on.
Making sure that your sonic tools are up to specs, and your unique and
personal adjustments are successfully made is my mission and what drives
me.
This is the way I approach each individual client and their instruments. I
concentrate on doing the work I love, to the absolute best of my ability. If
the necessary work is beyond my knowledge and skill level I will frankly tell
you and recommend a colleage who is qualified to do the work. Satisfiying my
clients and attending to their unique and personal requests is my goal as
well as my first and formost reward.
Tyler J. 'T. Dogg" Barnes
Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii