Who does awesome guitar repairs in NYC?

March 24, 2007 12:21 AM

I own a 50s reissue Stratocaster that I need to get some work done on. It's been in storage (not in a storage locker but someone's house, and not in a garage) for a couple of years, since I moved away from my hometown. Next month I'll be retrieving it. (Yay!) However, I'm not quite sure where to go in NYC to get that work done properly. I don't want my baby screwed up. Details inside.

The neck needs to be refretted, and the hardware has a little bit of oxidation/rust that could be removed. I also believe there may be a loose connection with the wiring beneath the pick guard.

The main concern here is some lackey fucking up the neck during refretting, of course, because it's the more complex repair. Who does good work on guitars in NYC? Is there a repair god I should know about? Who should be avoided?

And heck, are there any NYC MeFites who are skilled with this style of repair?

Additionally, I'd rather not replace the entire neck.

posted by Mikey-San to sports, hobbies, & recreation (8 comments total)

main drag music has a great reputation.

but if you want the best, and bear in mind they might be very expensive, go to mandolin brothers. they work on paul mccartney's beatle bass. it is flown over and has its own seat in an airplane. its' handler is always present. so yeah, i'd trust em.
posted by tremspeed at 1:41 AM on March 24, 2007

I had some minor work done on my guitar at Peek A Moose a while back and they seemed very good. Might be worth checking out.
posted by gfrobe at 1:57 AM on March 24, 2007

I'm sure Matt Umanov Guitars could do the work you need.
posted by blaneyphoto at 4:20 AM on March 24, 2007

Give Evan a call. He's an expert, truly cares about what he does, is reasonably priced ($50 for a basic setup) and a good guy. I highly recommend him.

Also, for $120 he'll actually teach you how to do a setup for yourself.
posted by SampleSize at 6:30 AM on March 24, 2007

30th St Guitars is my repair shop of choice at the moment. Been going to them for years, I've bumped into the likes of Walter Becker and Billy Gibbons there. Rudy's Music Stop also does great work, although I think attitude becomes a bit of an issue there. Mandolin Bros is a super-cool shop, but you have to trek out to Staten Island, and guess what? You have to PAY for the fact that the guys working on your guitar also work on Sir Paul's axes.
posted by fingers_of_fire at 8:19 AM on March 24, 2007

Just throwing in my opinion on some of what's already been mentioned: Evan did my bass for me and he did a fantastic job. Also, the guys at Maindrag in Brooklyn have done some other repair work for me (confirming their good rep) and I would second them as well. I had a friend who used to swear by 30th st guitars also, so what it comes down to is you have a lot of choice among some great repair and set up folks. Though no one I know could afford Mandolin Bros.
posted by safetyfork at 10:19 AM on March 24, 2007

After I took his guitar repair class, I let Evan work on a few of my guitars, and that's saying something, because I'm totally neurotic about my guitars. I like his style as much as anything else about him. He's got a sweet set of tools and a fret press and he really pays attention to what you want done.

The people at Rudy's are so ignorant about music and instruments, and they affect rudeness to cover it up. I'd never let an instrument of mine into their hands.

Mando Bros is a good store but good lord almighty, it is not cheap.
posted by ikkyu2 at 11:52 AM on March 24, 2007

Wow, lots of love for this Evan guy. Thanks, everyone! Good to know about the Mandolin premium.
posted by Mikey-San at 7:40 AM on March 26, 2007