Precision CAE Closure

With some regret we have decided to dissolve the partnership trading as PCAE at Carlton, Sydney. It is disappointing as George and I had built quite a skill-base, however, my recent absence for health reasons had also provided a chance to reassess the industry and our personal direction.

As some may know I had surgery last February which had kept me from active duty until quite recently, compromising what is a very hands-on workshop and of course, our clients, the business and partnership itself.

We will be heading in different directions now, so if anyone can use what is arguably the best install workshop around, the lease is due and some fittings maybe available at low cost. But you will need to let us know fast.

Announcement & Thanks

It is hard to believe it is now thirty years since I first began putting our home and pro audio speakers into friends' cars for fun, and the original Auto Acoustics was born at Kings Cross. So rather than walk away from all that history and experience I am now considering an audio design service for those who still share an interest in real music and genuine SQ.

This will include a return to my home and commercial audio roots, as well as marine and vehicle projects. My home workshop (where Alpine's award-winning Mercedes ML was built in 2004) still provides a reasonable resource for bespoke design, custom fabrication, testing and tuning work.

In the meantime, to those around the world who have sent get well wishes and supported my industry activities over the years - sound-offs, reference CDs, media stories, training, democars and even the recent retail ventures, my sincere and heartfelt thanks. I look forward to catching up with you soon.

Kind regards,
Paul M Graham
Acoustic Garage (home office)
0417 445 522 02 9547 1676
paulmg@bigpond.net.au

Further to our converations today Paul, I read this with sadness. Hopefully more opportunities will arise and you won't be leaving our industry just yet.

I personally wish you all the best, thankyou for your contributions and advice (both professionally and personally over the years), and wish more people looked up to and gave the hard earned respect deserved to those in this industry that have genuine skills, knowledge, and still give a shit!

Good luck and I'm sure we'll still be seeing you 'round!

Sorry to see the demise of another shop (for what ever reason).

All the best.

Thanks for the kind words gents. To be honest, is a bit of relief as PCAE wasn't really what I expected to be doing, especially after the huge losses trying to get what we'd paid for at the original Precision. But at the time we all saw it as a means to continue on a smaller, more specialised scale, to continue taking care of our clients and hopefully provide a little income.

The right motives but the wrong timing, location and probably mix of people. I'm grateful to both Paul McD (my original partner) and George K (who's input and passion helped get Carlton up and running). But sadly, in price-driven Sydney where quality and workmanship seem irrelevant now, fighting to compete with chains and chop-shops - even on labour - is not what we deserved. My unexpected 'time-out' finally provided the space to realise that.

Thanks to you too Phil (RMA) - hopefully we can all communicate on a normal level now? Kindest regards, Paul G

Definately very sad to hear.

Your passion, knowledge and experience will surely be missed.

All the very best of luck for any future endeavours.

Ditto, indeed a shame to see such a great shop close down.

Start sharing some of that knowledge of yours with the younger punks Paul - you just might teach them a thing or two

Would be happy to have you onboard as one of our paid contributors for articles and what not

Interesting you should mention that Marc. Coincidentally, one of things I'm now working on is to rekindle my technical writing as there seems to be some interest (perhaps before the last of the 'old school' proponents of real Sound Quality and Competent Installation have gone?). While sorting and filing personal documents recently I was surprised at how much I'd written for training manuals, magazines and all those InCar 'Installation Techniques' stories way back. Might be fun to go back and edit/update some of the old theories and create some new stuff too. You know where to find me.

Kindest regards, Paul G
Acoustic Garage Pty Ltd.
Carlton, Sydney

PS: will delete and update weblink a.s.a.p.

In view of recent rumours, may I reconfirm that Precision Car Audio Engineering in southern Sydney ceased to trade some weeks ago and no longer exists. It was a mutual decision and George K (icacha) and I are no longer associated.

This means I am now able to catch up and perhaps even work alongside old friends such as Marty at FHRX and Juerg at Auto Acoustics again, who had been retail competitors the last 3 years. Please do not read nothing into this - we simply know each other and share a long-term passion for SQ, workmanship and doing the right thing by clients. End of story.

Kindest regards,