[sdiy] Small Business Idea -- synth techs needed

[klosmon]

My situation exactly.

I worked for the University of California for 29 years -- during that time, 
amassed a collection of synths, parts, schematics & knowledge.  After they 
put me out to pasture last year (thanks, Schwartzenegger), I went  into 
"business" as a vintage synth repair tech -- I was thinking I could work on 
one or two machines a month & supplement my retirement pittance.  At this 
moment, I have two Chromas, four Prophet 5s (rev 2 & 3), an Aelita and 
numerous smaller synths (Cat, Solus, Prophet 600, etc) stacked in my house 
for repair (and more on the way). If I was serious about making a "killing" 
(which I'm assuredly not), I could have even more business coming in than I 
already have.  Even working at my own slow pace, not soliciting business, 
I'm making more now than I was working for UC.

There is a space for more techs out there.

It amazes me that in a place like the bay area, with half a million 
musicians, there is so LITTLE effective tech support for analog keyboards.
Anyone who has some skill, some knowledge & the will to deal with musicians 
(which is the hardest part of my job) can do quite well for themselves -- 
the up side is the chance to play with all kinds of interesting & unusual 
synths;  the down side is "oh joy, another Odyssey with crappy sliders".

About half my business is local;  the rest is shipped from around the 
country (& a few from outside the US).  Lists like Analog Heaven & Synth 
DIY are all the advertising you need;  once you've done good work for a few 
people, word of mouth spreads insanely.

I say go for it -- why not?

~GMM
http://www.analogsynthservice.com

At 06:13 PM 11/4/2005, you wrote:
>I'm retired, so no sweat...And I'm not looking to conquer the financial 
>world either! Just think a decent income can be made repairing things, and 
>I can emulate idols of mine like Dr. Moog, or Grant Richter
>[]
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>                                                                      Doug