Guitar Repair & Setup — Colchester, VT

Lakeside Guitar is based right here in Colchester — specifically in the Malletts Bay neighborhood, just above Burlington's New North End. This is home base.

I work out of a fully equipped workshop in my home in Malletts Bay. Saint Michael's College is nearby, Camp Johnson is down the road, and there's a healthy population of serious musicians in the area who've made Lakeside Guitar their regular shop. I also host a monthly open mic at the Pickled Perch — if you play guitar in Colchester, we may already know each other.

Services

Setups · Fret Work · Electronics · Repairs · Restoration — and everything in between. Whether it's a quick Restring+ ($50, while you wait), a full Signature Setup ($100–150), electronics work ($150–300), fret leveling ($150–200), or a full refret ($400–600), I quote honestly and track my time so you see exactly where your money went.

I'm a certified warranty technician for Martin and Taylor — which means I can handle warranty claims, order OEM parts, and access factory support directly. If you bought your guitar new and something's wrong, bring it to me before you ship it anywhere.

I work on acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars — and also mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, and most fretted stringed instruments. Brands include Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Fender, PRS, Gretsch, Ibanez, Epiphone, Yamaha, Takamine, and many more, including rare and vintage makes most shops have never seen.

Why Lakeside Guitar

Precision. Guitar repair isn't art — it's math, physics, and materials science. Action is a measurement. Relief is geometry. I use both sides of my brain to find the sweet spot in every instrument.

Passion. I've been playing for over 35 years. I love guitars — all of them, regardless of brand or condition. When you bring me your instrument, I treat it like it matters. Because to you, it does.

Integrity. I'm a straight shooter. If I make a mistake, I'll tell you. If your job is going to run over estimate by more than 15%, I'll call before I proceed. No surprises.

Turnaround:

• While you wait — quick jobs up to ~30 minutes (Restring+, output jack, minor adjustments)
• 2–3 weeks — single-visit jobs on the fast track
• 30–60 days — multi-step projects, handled in order of arrival

What Customers Are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Best guitar teacher ever. Dan made up a specific curriculum according to what my goals were. Highly recommend."

— Liam Robert

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Dan is great! He has an engaging and supportive approach to lessons."

— Kim Swartz

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I started taking lessons with Dan and I am thoroughly enjoying it. He also did an amazing fix on my guitar."

— Douglas Ellwood

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Dan's among the very best — an honest, experienced, and excellent luthier who is a pleasure to do business with."

— Gary Rutkowski

50+ five-star reviews on Google →

Book or Get an Estimate

Ready to get your guitar playing its best? Schedule online or call/text 802-249-4983. Estimates are always free — I just need to see the instrument in person.

Location: Colchester, Vermont (Malletts Bay) · You're here. I'm here. · By appointment only

Also serving: Burlington · Winooski · Essex Junction · Milton