Unemployed for 4 months now, and am thinking about learning a trade.
I've been thinking about welding and building tube guitar amps. I've looked into welding and taking classes at the local jc. The thing about that, is that sure it would pay well if I got certified, but you've got to join a union ....f that, and the construction industry for welders isn't doing too well either.
If I had the skills to weld there's other possibilities. I've been talking to other friends of mine that have been tinkering around with repainting/ restoring old road bicycles. I could easily design a jig for a bike frame and build bikes out of the garage. I dunno about that yet. The equipment would be expensive.
The other option that I've been thinking about is building tube guitar amps. I have been working on and off with a tube amp of my own, with little success. By that I mean, I've fried an amp transformer, blew an electrical outlet in the process. It's coming along pretty well, I'd say, but it keeps me interested.
I've fired off three introductory emails, inquiring about the possibility of an internship or apprenticeship. Let's see if I get any kind of response.
One of the guys is a very well known tech/amp guru to the rockstars. He has done work for people like Van Halen. The other company is Bad Cat amplification. They make some really nice equipment. The third place is the Fender shop in Corona. That's a long shot.
All I need is to get my foot in the door, that's it.
