GUITAR REPAIR
Q: What instruments do you work on?
A: Electric and acoustic guitars and basses, including instruments with floating or locking tremolo systems. Other fretted instruments may be considered after assessment.
Q: How do I book?
A: Use the estimate form or email Hillwinter with the instrument make/model, symptoms, photos, tuning, string gauge and whether you prefer drop-off or pickup. You can also send an email to Hillwinter.Music@gmail.com
Q: What protections do I have when leaving my instrument with you?
A: The following protocols will protect both you and Hillwinter Music from risks:
- Signed documentation: We both sign an intake record identifying your instrument, its condition and the agreed work and pricing. Collection and completion are also documented.
- Approval before additional work: Any changes to the agreed work or cost will require your written approval.
- Protected storage: Your instrument is stored in a hard case while in my care whenever it isn’t being worked on. If you don’t have one, I provide one for its stay (note that a case may not be avalable for extra-large or odd guitar body shapes).
- Workmanship guarantee: If the agreed work hasn’t been completed satisfactorily, it will be corrected at no additional charge. If the issue can’t resolved, the cost for the work will be refunded.
Q: Where do I drop off?
A: Customer drop-off is by appointment. The exact address is shared after the booking is confirmed; it is not posted as a walk-in storefront.
Q: Do you pick up and deliver?
A: Yes. Pickup and delivery are available for a quoted fee based on location and route. The fee is confirmed before booking.
Q: How long will it take?
A: Turnaround is confirmed after assessment. I work on a limited number of instruments at a time, and can only offer rushed service after assesing the job.
Q: Are strings and parts included?
A: No. Strings, parts and unusual materials are an additional cost unless the written estimate says otherwise. Customers may supply preferred strings and parts.
Q: Can you repair finish damage?
A: Minor scratches, dents, chips and drop-fill work can be done. I do not currently offer spray finishing or full refinishing.
Q: What work is outside scope?
A: Amplifier repair, custom guitar building, major structural repair, major routing/woodworking and spray refinishing are not offered.
Q: Will you do extra work without asking?
A: No. The approved estimate sets the scope. If hidden problems change the recommendation or price, the work is pauses until the customer approves the revision.
BASS CAB IMPULSES
Q: What is an impulse response?
A: An impulse response (IR) is basically an audio capture of an environment. It can be overlayed on top of other audio, to shape it. Normally, this technology is used to capture places like church halls or rooms to be used as a reverb effect, but in this case of cabinet IRs, it is used to capture the sound of a cabinet through a microphone. Using an IR loading plugin or similar tool to overlay these IRs on top of your guitar signal will make it sound like you are playing through the cabinet and microphone.
Q: How do I use an impulse response?
A: Use an IR loading plugin (my personal recomendation is the free Cab-Lab 4 plugin from Fractal Audio), or an amp modler that uses IRs such as the Axe FX or Line 6 Heilix.
Q: What sample rate were your IRs recorded at?
A: 48khz. If, for some reason you need a different sample rate, please send me an email.
Q: How long are you IRs?
A: Three whole seconds in length. This makes them more than long enough for trimming down to whatever format you will be using them in (for example, StandardRes vs UltraRes).
Q: If your IRs are three seconds long, does this mean I have to manually trim them down if my plugin or equipment uses shorter IRs?
A: Generally, no. I have never seen an IR plugin or amp modeller that doesn’t simply auto-trim IRs to the appropriate length when using them. If you run into a situation where this is not the case, please send me an email. I'd love to know about it.
Q: Which speaker was captured on each of the cabinets?
A: For Cab Pack: Driger, the top-left speaker was chosen on both the 4x10 and the 2x12.
Q: What equipment and software was used to record your IRs?
A: Cab Pack: Driger was recorded using a Gallien Krueger 2001RB as the power amp. The Mic/DI method was used to eliminate the possibility of any power amp colouration. A Countryman Type 10 DI was used between the power amp and cab to capture speaker-level signals from both the woofer and the tweeter. Both DI signals and the mic were recorded through Rupert Neve Designs mic preamps. Protools was used to capture everything, and Voxengo Deconvolver was used to render the IRs.
Q: Do you used any EQ on your IRs before rendering them?
A: No, all you get is the sound of the cab and mic. You may EQ them to your liking.
If you have additional questions, or need assistance, please email me at Hillwinter.Music@gmail.com