If it feels hard to play (or harder than it used to), the strings seem too high, or you’re hearing buzzing, it’s worth a look. Those symptoms don’t always mean the same thing, and not every guitar needs the same work. Most guitars have never had a good setup, they don’t do it at the factory. And, sadly… many guitar techs are mediocre at setups. If in doubt, bring it in for a free look.

There is no right answer to this question. A good setup is a mechanical, physical adjustment. Adjustments don’t change unless a part breaks. What often happens is the instrument changes due to humidity or a different string gauge. Most guitars have never had a good setup, they don’t do it at the factory. And, sadly… many guitar techs are mediocre at setups. If in doubt, bring it in for a free look.

A regular setup is for a guitar that’s already reasonably clean and just needs its playability dialed in. A Signature Setup goes deeper: I take the instrument apart, clean and polish it, then reassemble, restring and adjust it. Not sure which you need? I’ll help you decide.

Almost definitely. Here’s why. A good setup takes time, and that’s a cost the manufacturer does not want to add to the retail price of the guitar. Also, shipping conditions are generally not temperature and humidity controlled. Shipping a guitar with a tight action tolerance might end up sounding like buzz in the retail environment, so a more conservative (i.e. bullet proof) setup is preferable. Short-story-long, just bring it in and let me have a look!

There are a bunch of small things that go into making sure a guitar is actually in tune (i.e. intonation) and stays in tune once you get it there. A good setup often solves most of the problem, but there’s more to the story. Bring it in for a free look.

Absolutely! I up-charge parts by 15% to cover my time ordering and such. You’re welcome to bring your own strings or parts and save some money. If you’re not sure what to get, let’s talk before you order. String gauge is VERY important, do not guess.

⛰️ Dedication

Most instrument repair operations are a sideline for a guitar builder, or a guitar retailer. Not me. I don’t build guitars, and I don’t sell guitars, or even accessories. I just do repairs and upgrades. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. You will get honest, focused attention from me every time.

📐 Precision

Despite popular opinion, guitar repair is not an art. Action is math. Finishes are material science. Floating bridges are physics and mechanics. Yet, no guitar is perfect, and every piece of wood is as unique as any living thing. The craft is understanding how to compromise gracefully to get the best results.

🥰 Passion

I freakin' love guitars, and basically anything with strings. My life has been a rough ride, and playing guitar has always grounded me. It makes absolutely no difference to me what you play, or what condition it's in when it arrives. I relish the opportunity to restore, and probably improve, the instrument that brings you joy.

⚖️ Integrity

I'm a straight shooter. If I f***k up, I will tell you. You can count on me to do the right thing. Now, that does not mean I will always hit my deadline. What I will do is communicate, so that there are no big surprises.

Most of the time… YES!

When I pass on a project, it’s usually based on risk, like very a high value guitar, or a complex woodworking job that is better handled by a guitar builder with that kind of toolkit and expertise.

Actually, I’ll give you a free inspection and then a flat price. I do need to see the instrument in person at my shop. We will discuss what I find, all of your options, and the prices.

Book Now

The bulk of my work is acoustic guitars, electric guitars and bass guitars.

I also repair mandolins, banjos, ukuleles... even a strum stick.

I do not work on violins, violas, cellos and the like.

I am authorized by Taylor Guitars for warranty repairs.

Many bench hours have been spent staring down at major brands like Alvarez, ESP/LTD, Fender/Squire, Gretsch, Gibson/Epiphone, Ibanez, Paul Reed Smith (PRS), Takamine, and Yamaha. I have also worked on many rare or lesser-known brands like Firch, Framus, Maton, Laravie, Greco, Sire, Tiesco and many more. I always love seeing something new.

Yes, I am affiliated with Taylor Guitars. I can order parts, handle warranty claims and access their techs and resources for help.