Try all your local audio shops first, if it is even remotely audio related. They will all know 'some guy' who is a bit off the beaten path.

Try machine shops, to see whom they do work for or they do custom work for. Basically, you have to smell out the 'right' guy. someone who does things because they interest him.

Specifically, some guy who knows exactly what to ask YOU so he can do his job the way that YOU want. Someone patient because mistakes will be made,and if he is the right guy, the mistakes will all be yours.

I'm not telling you how to flip through a phone book, I'm telling you how to find the right guy. Guys who do custom work have to cross paths with someone..and the someone they cross paths with are machine shops. As well, in the world of machine shops there will be some guys who tend to do more custom work, as it interests them. Now the EE who has custom work done at THAT machine shop, is your man.

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want to pay a EE geek to build something for me. how to track one down???

So, what do you need? That might help.

Like j j said, "what do you need"? People with an E.E. cover a very wide range of skills. Most E.E.s have a very narrow range of expertise. From circuit design to marketing.

Why not something a bit more advanced?
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/154394-hps-4-0-phono-stage.html

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Like j j said, "what do you need"? People with an E.E. cover a very wide range of skills. Most E.E.s have a very narrow range of expertise. From circuit design to marketing.

That is part and parcel of the problem. They need to open their minds, expand their area of expertise if they want to get beyond where they currently are. Basics, like..er..growth is about growth? Get it?

Buddha Belly Baby....will explain...."OPEN YOUR MIND":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45LNRV0TzSs