Forestwoodinstruments.com.au Review

Based on looking at the website forestwoodinstruments.com.au, this service focuses on guitar and bass maintenance, repair, and modification. While the technical aspects of instrument repair are clear, it’s crucial to assess such services through an ethical lens, particularly concerning the types of instruments and their typical use. In Islam, musical instruments are a debated topic, with a significant body of scholarly opinion discouraging their use. This is due to concerns about their association with heedlessness, distraction from remembrance of Allah, and often, their use in contexts that encourage immoral behaviour. Therefore, while the service itself (repair) might seem neutral, the underlying product (musical instruments) is where the ethical consideration truly lies.

Overall Review Summary:

• Website Clarity: High. Services and pricing are clearly listed.
• Service Specificity: Very High. Detailed descriptions of repairs and maintenance.
• Transparency of Pricing: High. Standard rates are provided, with clear notes on additional costs.
• Contact Information: Readily available.
• Ethical Considerations (Islamic Perspective): Low. The service directly supports the maintenance and use of musical instruments, which are largely discouraged in Islam.
• Overall Recommendation: Not recommended from an Islamic perspective due to the nature of the products serviced. While technically proficient, aligning with permissible activities is paramount.

The website clearly outlines the services offered: restringing, setups, fret work, pickup installations, wiring, and finish repairs for guitars and basses. They even mention being a Certified Taylor Guitars Technician and preferring Rotosound strings, alongside stocking other reputable brands like Martin, Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Thomastik, and John Pearse. They state they don’t make a margin on strings, supplying them at cost. While this level of detail is commendable from a business perspective, the core issue remains the promotion and facilitation of musical instrument use. For those seeking to live by Islamic principles, engaging with services that perpetuate activities considered potentially problematic is best avoided. It’s not about the quality of the repair, but the permissibility of the item being repaired.

Best Alternatives (Ethical & Non-Musical):

Since the service itself is for musical instruments, which are discouraged, the alternatives need to shift to ethical, non-musical, and non-forbidden products and services within a similar vein of craftsmanship, maintenance, or hobby, but which align with Islamic principles.

• High-Quality Calligraphy Pen Sets

  

  • Key Features: Designed for Arabic and Islamic calligraphy, often includes various nibs, ink, and practice paper. Promotes artistic expression and the beautification of Islamic texts.
  • Average Price: A$50 – A$200, depending on the set.
  • Pros: Encourages a noble art form, spiritual connection, development of fine motor skills, and patience.
  • Cons: Requires practice and dedication to master.

• Premium Woodworking Tool Kits

  • Key Features: For crafting useful and beautiful wooden items like furniture, decorative pieces, or practical household goods. Focuses on skill development and creating tangible assets.
  • Average Price: A$150 – A$500+ for quality starter kits.
  • Pros: Develops practical skills, allows for creation of useful items, promotes self-sufficiency, and connects to traditional crafts.
  • Cons: Can be expensive to start, requires space, and safety precautions are essential.

• Advanced Model Building Kits (Architecture/Vehicles, non-figurative)

  • Key Features: Detailed kits for constructing realistic models of buildings, historically accurate vehicles (non-military, non-figurative), or complex mechanical structures.
  • Average Price: A$80 – A$300+.
  • Pros: Enhances problem-solving skills, patience, attention to detail, and provides a tangible sense of accomplishment.
  • Cons: Can be time-consuming, small parts can be challenging, and some kits might be expensive.

• Quality Sewing Machine for Garment Creation/Repair

  • Key Features: Ideal for creating modest clothing, repairing textiles, or engaging in ethical fashion. Focuses on practical skill and self-reliance.
  • Average Price: A$200 – A$800 for a good home machine.
  • Pros: Highly practical skill, allows for creation of modest attire, promotes sustainability through repair, and can be a source of ethical income.
  • Cons: Learning curve, requires space, and can be noisy.

• Gardening Tools and Kits for Home Cultivation

  • Key Features: For cultivating herbs, vegetables, or ornamental plants at home. Promotes connection with nature, healthy living, and self-sufficiency.
  • Average Price: A$50 – A$200 for a basic kit.
  • Pros: Encourages healthy eating, environmental stewardship, stress reduction, and provides fresh produce.
  • Cons: Requires consistent effort, patience, and can be dependent on weather/climate.

• Telescope for Astronomy Observation

  • Key Features: Allows observation of celestial bodies, promoting contemplation of creation and the vastness of the universe.
  • Average Price: A$300 – A$1000+ for a decent beginner to intermediate model.
  • Pros: Inspires reflection on Allah’s creation, educational, fosters a sense of wonder, and can be a quiet, contemplative hobby.
  • Cons: Can be costly, requires clear skies and dark locations, and some learning about celestial navigation.

• Professional Photography Equipment (Nature/Architecture)

  • Key Features: For capturing images of nature, landscapes, architecture, or non-living subjects, promoting appreciation for the beauty of creation.
  • Average Price: A$800 – A$3000+ for a good camera and lens.
  • Pros: Develops artistic eye, encourages outdoor activity, allows for documentation of natural beauty, and can be a means of ethical storytelling.
  • Cons: Significant initial investment, steep learning curve, and can be heavy to carry.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au Review: An Ethical Look at Instrument Repair Services

When assessing any service or business, particularly from an Islamic perspective, it’s not just about the quality of the technical work but also the nature of the product or service itself. Forestwoodinstruments.com.au offers repair and maintenance for guitars and basses. While the website presents itself with clarity and professionalism, the fundamental issue arises from the product they service: musical instruments. In the realm of Islamic jurisprudence, the permissibility of musical instruments is a topic of considerable scholarly debate, with a prevailing view among many notable scholars leaning towards their discouragement or outright prohibition, especially those used for entertainment that distract from spiritual remembrance. This isn’t a judgment on the skill of the technicians, but rather a reflection on the broader implications of engaging with such a service. For those striving to adhere to Islamic principles, supporting or participating in activities that facilitate what is widely considered impermissible or discouraged would naturally be a point of concern. The focus for a Muslim should always be on what brings them closer to Allah, and traditionally, instrumental music has not been viewed in that light.

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au Review & First Look: Clarity and Scope

Upon first glance, Forestwoodinstruments.com.au presents a very clean and straightforward interface. The website’s primary goal, to offer guitar and bass maintenance, repair, and modification services, is immediately clear. They operate out of French’s Forest in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, which is useful geographical information for potential local clients.

• Direct Communication: The site emphasizes direct contact to discuss needs, which is a good sign for personalised service. They even highlight that a discussion might be “as simple as ‘new strings’, or something more,” indicating flexibility and attentiveness to client requests.
• Transparency in Services: The homepage details a comprehensive list of services, from basic restringing to complex re-frets and finish repairs. This level of detail allows a potential customer to understand the scope of work offered without needing to dig deep into multiple pages.
• Professional Endorsements: The mention of being a “Certified Taylor Guitars Technician” adds a layer of credibility and suggests a high standard of expertise. Preferring Rotosound strings and stocking other well-known brands like Martin, Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Thomastik, and John Pearse further solidifies their professional standing in the industry. They also highlight that they supply strings “at cost,” which is a transparent pricing model.
• Past Identity: The note “We were formerly known as Forestwood Instrument Maintenance. Nothing’s changed but the name” helps to reassure returning customers and maintain brand continuity.

The overall first impression is one of professional competence and transparency regarding their service offerings. For someone specifically looking for guitar and bass repair, the website quickly provides the essential information needed to make an informed decision about their services, from a technical standpoint.

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au Cons: Ethical Limitations from an Islamic Perspective

While Forestwoodinstruments.com.au excels in clarity and technical detail, the inherent nature of the services offered—maintenance and repair of musical instruments—presents significant drawbacks when viewed through an Islamic ethical framework. These are not criticisms of their business practices or technical skills, but rather a highlight of the fundamental misalignment with Islamic principles.

• Support for Disputed Activities: The most prominent con is the direct facilitation and support for musical instruments. A substantial body of Islamic scholarship, particularly among the classical jurists and many contemporary scholars, views instrumental music as either impermissible (haram) or disliked (makrooh). The primary concerns stem from:
  • Distraction from Worship: Music is often seen as a distraction from the remembrance of Allah and devotion.
  • Association with Immorality: Historically, instrumental music has been linked with frivolous gatherings, dancing, and other activities that are considered un-Islamic.
  • Lack of Benefit: Unlike beneficial knowledge or skills, instrumental music is often viewed as lacking a tangible, permissible benefit that elevates one spiritually or worldly in a halaal way.
• Promotion of Worldly Pursuits: Engaging in or supporting services related to musical instruments can be seen as contributing to worldly distractions rather than pursuits that draw one closer to Allah. The focus shifts from spiritual growth and beneficial knowledge to entertainment, which, when excessive or linked to impermissible means, is discouraged.
• No Focus on Permissible Alternatives: Naturally, a business focused on musical instruments will not promote alternatives that are permissible in Islam, such as Islamic calligraphy, Quranic recitation, beneficial crafts, or scholarly pursuits. This limitation means the platform does not offer guidance or options for individuals seeking to avoid musical instruments.

In essence, while the website is professionally designed and clear about its services, the very nature of those services falls into an area of significant ethical concern for Muslims. The cons are not about the service quality but about the fundamental permissibility of the instruments themselves.

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au Pricing: Structure and Transparency

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au provides a clear and upfront pricing structure for their most common services, which is highly commendable. This transparency allows customers to understand potential costs without needing to request a quote for standard jobs.

• Standard Restring Services:
  • 6-string Acoustic or Electric Guitar or Bass: $40. This includes a full inspection, fingerboard clean and condition, and fret polish.
  • 12-string Acoustic/Electric Guitar: $60. This service also includes the same inspection and maintenance steps as the 6-string.
  • Important Note on Strings: Crucially, all prices are “exclusive of strings.” Customers can supply their own, or Forestwood Instruments can supply them at cost. This is a very transparent approach, as it avoids hidden mark-ups on materials. They explicitly state, “We don’t make a margin on strings – we’ll supply them at cost, which is sometimes a little better than retail.” This builds trust.
• New Instrument Setup Check: $30. This is a 15-minute “while you wait” service to check action, relief, and intonation. If a full setup is subsequently needed, the $30 fee is deducted from the setup charge. This is a fair approach, providing an initial assessment at a low cost that can be credited.
• Full Setup Service: $105 for Acoustic/Electric Guitar/Bass. This is a comprehensive service that includes all restring services, plus adjustments to neck relief/truss rod, saddle and nut slots, intonation, pickup height, tremolo bridge setup, and tightening of hardware. It also includes a spot fret level and recrown, along with instrument cleaning and detailing.
• Other Services (Hourly Rate): For services beyond the standard listed, labour is charged at $95 per hour. This is a common and transparent way to price custom or more complex work.
• Assessment/Bench Fee: A minimum bench fee of $40 applies for assessments, which is credited to any work subsequently agreed upon. This ensures that their time for diagnosis is covered if no further work proceeds, but doesn’t penalise a customer who goes ahead with repairs.

The pricing strategy at Forestwoodinstruments.com.au is highly transparent and customer-friendly from a business perspective. They’ve clearly laid out costs for routine services and provided a fair hourly rate and assessment fee for more intricate work. The explicit mention of not marking up string prices is a significant trust-builder. However, as noted previously, the ethical consideration for a Muslim remains the nature of the instruments themselves.

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au Alternatives: Ethical Pursuits for Muslims

Given that musical instruments are a contentious topic in Islam, finding alternatives that align with Islamic principles becomes paramount. These alternatives focus on beneficial knowledge, skill development, art forms that are permissible, and activities that promote reflection, health, or community benefit. Instead of investing in the repair of musical instruments, a Muslim can invest their time, effort, and resources into pursuits that bring them closer to Allah and benefit their dunya (worldly life) and akhira (afterlife).

• Islamic Calligraphy and Art:

  • Description: This involves learning the art of writing Arabic script, often used for verses of the Quran, Hadith, or beautiful Islamic poetry. It is a highly respected art form in Islamic tradition.
  • Benefits: Promotes patience, precision, appreciation for the beauty of the Arabic language, and spiritual connection through writing sacred texts.
  • Resources: Calligraphy Pen Sets, online courses, local Islamic art centres.

• Learning Classical Arabic and Quranic Studies:

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  • Description: Deep diving into the language of the Quran and the authentic sources of Islamic knowledge. This includes Tajweed (proper recitation), Tafsir (exegesis), and Hadith studies.
  • Benefits: Direct access to Islamic texts, profound understanding of one’s faith, spiritual growth, and intellectual development.
  • Resources: Reputable Arabic Grammar books, online Islamic universities, local mosques, and Islamic learning centres.

• Practical Trades and Craftsmanship:

  • Description: Engaging in skills like woodworking, leather crafting, pottery, or tailoring to create useful and ethical products.
  • Benefits: Develops valuable vocational skills, fosters self-sufficiency, allows for the creation of permissible goods, and can be a source of halal income.
  • Resources: Woodworking tools, local workshops, vocational colleges, online tutorials.

• Archery and Horse Riding:

  • Description: These are Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) sports, highly encouraged in Islam for their physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.
  • Benefits: Builds physical strength, discipline, focus, and connection to Islamic heritage.
  • Resources: Local archery clubs, riding schools, certified instructors.

• Horticulture and Gardening:

  • Description: Cultivating plants, fruits, and vegetables, whether for personal consumption or for charity.
  • Benefits: Promotes self-sufficiency, provides healthy food, encourages reflection on Allah’s creation, and can be a form of sadaqa jariyah (ongoing charity) if others benefit from the produce or shade.
  • Resources: Gardening tool kits, local nurseries, permaculture courses.

• Volunteering and Community Service:

  • Description: Dedicating time and effort to assist those in need, clean up the environment, or support charitable organisations.
  • Benefits: Fulfils the Islamic injunction to help others, earns immense reward, strengthens community bonds, and fosters empathy.
  • Resources: Local mosques, charitable organizations, community centres.
• Writing and Research (Islamic Studies):

  • Description: Engaging in academic or creative writing on Islamic topics, history, or current affairs from an Islamic perspective. This can also include genealogical research to connect with family roots.
  • Benefits: Spreads beneficial knowledge, clarifies misconceptions about Islam, preserves heritage, and contributes to intellectual discourse within the Muslim community and beyond.
  • Resources: Academic writing guides, access to Islamic libraries, online databases for research.

These alternatives offer a pathway for Muslims to pursue hobbies and skills that are not only permissible but also highly beneficial, enriching their lives both spiritually and practically, in stark contrast to engaging with services related to musical instruments.

How to Find Ethical Services in Australia: A Guide for Muslims

Finding ethical services in Australia, particularly ones that align with Islamic principles, requires a bit of diligence and knowing what to look for. Given that Australia is a diverse nation, services tailored explicitly for Muslim needs might be less common than in Muslim-majority countries, but they are certainly growing. The key is to verify that a service’s core offering and operational practices are permissible (halal) and do not involve prohibited (haram) elements.

• Financial Services:

  • Avoid: Conventional banks offering interest-based loans, credit cards with interest (riba), traditional insurance policies with elements of gharar (excessive uncertainty) and riba, gambling platforms, or speculative investments like unregulated crypto trading.
  • Look For: Islamic finance institutions (though limited in Australia, some global options or local brokers may facilitate), co-operative funds, ethical investment funds that explicitly avoid prohibited industries (alcohol, gambling, pornography, conventional finance, weapons), and Takaful (Islamic insurance) providers if available, or family-based mutual aid systems. Websites like the Islamic Council of Victoria or similar state bodies might list community-approved financial advisors.

• Food Services: Tonermarket.com.au Review

  • Avoid: Restaurants serving pork, non-halal meat (unless strictly vegetarian/vegan options are available and prepared separately), food containing alcohol (e.g., certain desserts or sauces), or cross-contamination risks from haram items.
  • Look For: Certified halal restaurants, butchers, and grocery stores. Many Australian cities have established halal certifying bodies (e.g., Halal Certification Authority Australia). Always check the certification logo. For non-certified establishments, ask about ingredients, cooking methods, and meat sourcing.

• Entertainment & Recreation:

  • Avoid: Venues centred on music concerts, nightclubs, cinemas showing inappropriate content, gambling establishments (casinos, betting agencies), or events promoting immoral behaviour or gender mixing without necessity.
  • Look For: Islamic lectures, Quranic recitation circles, family-friendly parks and recreational areas, community sports (gender-segregated if appropriate), educational workshops, cultural festivals showcasing permissible arts (e.g., calligraphy, traditional storytelling), and nature walks/hikes. Websites of local mosques or Islamic community centres often list permissible events.

• Personal Care & Fashion:

  • Avoid: Clothing that is excessively revealing or promotes immodesty, beauty products with haram ingredients (e.g., alcohol, animal by-products if not halal slaughtered), or services that involve impermissible physical contact between non-mahram individuals.
  • Look For: Modest fashion retailers (online or specific boutiques), halal-certified cosmetics and personal care products, and gender-segregated salons or services where applicable. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) might provide general guidelines on such services.

• Technology & Digital Services:

  • Avoid: Dating apps, streaming services primarily focused on forbidden content (music, inappropriate movies), astrology or fortune-telling apps, or games that promote violence, gambling, or immoral themes.
  • Look For: Islamic apps (Quran, prayer times, Hadith), educational platforms, productivity tools, family-safe browsing filters, and online content creators who produce beneficial and permissible material.

Key Steps for Verification:

1. Check for Certifications: For food, look for reputable halal certification bodies. For finance, inquire about Sharia compliance certificates or advisory boards.
2. Read Reviews and Testimonials: Look for reviews specifically mentioning ethical practices or suitability for Muslim consumers.
3. Directly Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to contact the service provider and ask about their practices, ingredients, or ethical guidelines.
4. Consult Community Leaders: Imams or trusted scholars in your local community can often provide guidance or recommendations for ethical services.
5. Research the Business Model: Understand how the business generates its revenue and what its core offerings are. If it relies heavily on practices deemed impermissible, it’s best to avoid.

By taking these steps, Muslims in Australia can navigate the market to find services that not only meet their practical needs but also uphold their religious and ethical commitments.

FAQ

What services does Forestwoodinstruments.com.au offer?

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au offers guitar and bass maintenance, repair, and modification services, including restringing, setups, fret work (dress, re-fret), nut and saddle replacement (bone, TUSQ, graphite), pickup installation, re-wiring, and quality finish repairs.

Where is Forestwoodinstruments.com.au located?

Forestwoodinstruments.com.au is located in French’s Forest, which is in the Sydney Northern Beaches area of Australia.

Are the prices listed on Forestwoodinstruments.com.au transparent?

Yes, the website provides clear, upfront pricing for standard services like restringing and setups. For other services, an hourly rate is listed, along with a transparent bench fee that is credited towards agreed work.

Does Forestwoodinstruments.com.au include strings in their pricing?

No, the listed prices for services are exclusive of strings. Customers can supply their own, or Forestwood Instruments can supply strings at cost, explicitly stating they do not make a margin on them.

What string brands does Forestwoodinstruments.com.au work with?

They prefer Rotosound strings and also stock other well-known brands such as Martin, Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Thomastik, and John Pearse. Roundabouttravel.com.au Review

Is Forestwoodinstruments.com.au a certified technician?

Yes, they are a Certified Taylor Guitars Technician, indicating a level of professional accreditation for specific instrument brands.

What is the cost for a 6-string acoustic or electric guitar restring at Forestwoodinstruments.com.au?

A 6-string acoustic or electric guitar or bass restring costs $40, which includes a full inspection, fingerboard clean and condition, and fret polish.

What is the cost for a 12-string acoustic/electric guitar restring?

A 12-string acoustic/electric guitar restring costs $60, including the same inspection and maintenance as a 6-string.

What does the “New Instrument Setup Check” entail and how much does it cost?

The “New Instrument Setup Check” is a 15-minute “while you wait” service costing $30. It checks action, relief, and intonation. If a full setup is then required, the $30 fee is deducted from the setup charge.

What is included in a full setup service at Forestwoodinstruments.com.au?

A full setup for acoustic/electric guitar/bass costs $105 and includes all restring services, plus adjustments to neck relief/truss rod, saddle and nut slots, intonation, pickup height, tremolo bridge setup, tightening of hardware, spot fret level and recrown, and instrument cleaning and detailing.

What is the hourly labour rate for other services not listed?

For other custom services not explicitly priced, the labour rate is $95 per hour.

What is the minimum bench fee for instrument assessments?

There is a minimum bench fee of $40 for instrument assessments, which is credited towards any work subsequently agreed upon.

Does Forestwoodinstruments.com.au offer custom nut and saddle services?

Yes, they can create custom bone, Tusq, and graphite nuts, as well as custom bone acoustic saddles.

Can Forestwoodinstruments.com.au install new pickups?

Yes, they offer pickup replacement or installation for both electric and acoustic guitars.

Do they offer re-wiring services for electric guitars and basses?

Yes, they can completely re-wire electric guitars and basses, including with vintage wire if requested. Creditwipe.com.au Review

Are finish repairs offered by Forestwoodinstruments.com.au?

Yes, they provide quality finish repairs for instruments.

Is Forestwoodinstruments.com.au suitable for someone seeking ethical services in Islam?

From an Islamic perspective, the service is not recommended because it supports the maintenance and use of musical instruments, which are largely discouraged in Islam due to concerns about distraction and association with heedlessness.

What are some ethical alternatives to musical instruments for Muslims?

Ethical alternatives include engaging in Islamic calligraphy, learning classical Arabic and Quranic studies, practical trades like woodworking, Sunnah sports like archery and horse riding, horticulture, volunteering, and writing/research on beneficial topics.

How can I find ethical services in Australia that align with Islamic principles?

To find ethical services in Australia, you should check for halal certifications (for food), inquire about Sharia compliance for financial services, avoid entertainment venues focused on music or gambling, seek out modest fashion and personal care products, and opt for beneficial digital services. Direct inquiry, community consultation, and researching business models are key.

Does Forestwoodinstruments.com.au address any ethical concerns on their website?

No, the website focuses exclusively on the technical aspects of instrument repair and maintenance and does not address any ethical or religious considerations regarding musical instruments.