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  #1  
Old 03-21-2010, 05:54 PM
garywj garywj is offline
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Default Recommended Luthiers in Southern California?

Anyone know of a Luthier in Southern California they recommend for high-end guitars? I'm between Palm Springs and Los Angeles, but going 100 miles isn't a problem. Thanks in advance for any information!
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Old 03-21-2010, 06:34 PM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
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There's Kathy Wingert if you want to keep it in SoCal. Also Kevin Ryan. Also Peter Morreiros (Cornerstone).
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Old 03-21-2010, 06:58 PM
barrangatan barrangatan is offline
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These names come to mind:

Kevin Ryan (Westminster)
Kirk Sand (Laguna Beach)
Mark Geiger (Rowland Heights)

Also, there was a thread a while back called 'Up and Coming luthiers' and it mentioned a couple of other luthiers in the So Cal area also:

Mark Angus
Rob Ehlers

I'd also contact some of the premier acoustic guitar stores in the area to find out if they have any one else they can recommend. The Fret House in Covina is a great place to check, and the Buffalo Brothers in Carlsbad also seem to specializes in high end acoustics as well. And then there's everyone's favorite McCabes.
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Old 03-21-2010, 07:38 PM
Capodave Capodave is offline
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I've used Patrick at The Blue Guitar in San Diego.
They have 2 or 3 luthiers there.
Check their web site.
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  #5  
Old 03-21-2010, 07:41 PM
Bryan T Bryan T is offline
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Are you looking for repairs or to have an instrument built?
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Old 03-21-2010, 07:43 PM
Jeff M Jeff M is offline
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I believe David Eichelbaum is still in So Cal.
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Old 03-21-2010, 08:22 PM
colins colins is offline
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Gary,
Being where you are gives you fantastic choice. If you are looking for retailers of high end, hand built guitars you can check out the shops mentioned above and also look into Luthier’s Collection, which should be close to you.

If you are willing to drive a little further, Mike Baranik is just about midway between LA and SF. I visit Mike and hey, I live in Australia!

Good luck, Col
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Old 03-21-2010, 08:35 PM
edward993 edward993 is offline
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Hi Gary,

If you are looking for repair, look no further than Studio City (near Universal Studios), there's Norik Renson:

Renson Guitar
11632 Moorpark St
North Hollywood CA 91602
(818) 761-4766

His client list is kind of a who's who of serious folks, not to mention some of the killer vintage stuff I've seen go through his shop. He is such a down-to-earth type that loves what he does. And needless to say, his work is stellar! Taylor factory recommended me to him years ago, but I found his work so good that I have gone back for other work. You can't go wrong with Norik, IMHO.

But wherever you go, beware of who does the actual work: I found out long ago, the hard way, that just because you go to a great shop with lots of street cred, that does NOT mean the guy who earned the cred with his skills will be doing the work. I got reamed by an apprentice hack who permanently butchered a guitar, only to have it repaired by the "craftsman" (never the same, of course) ...never again! I will only hand my guitar to the guy who will be doing the work. Norik and his right-hand (I think it's Brent, IIRC?) are first class all the way.

Edward
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Old 03-21-2010, 09:08 PM
Samuelch Samuelch is offline
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For repairs, David Neely in Hollywood. Really nice guy and knows his stuff.

www.neelyguitars.com
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  #10  
Old 03-21-2010, 09:42 PM
garywj garywj is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan T View Post
Are you looking for repairs or to have an instrument built?
Repairs, setups, fixing surface scratches, etc. Not building a guitar (at least at this time).
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Martin D45, Breedlove NW, PRS Howard Leese, Ramirez 1a
Takamine EF77, Vicente Carrillo Gabriela, Yamaha LJ36, R Taylor S1
Yamaha AEX1500, Takamine H8SS, Yamaha FG, Martin 0-45S
Blackbird Rider, Martin 00-42K2 Robbie R, Yamaha CSF100K
Fender Custom Strat, Woolson Double Top Parlor
UKE'S - SCGC Koa, Collings UT3, Ko'olua Custom
Moore Bettah, Martin 5K, Kamaka, Blackbird
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  #11  
Old 03-21-2010, 11:56 PM
cke cke is offline
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Glenn Harrison at California Vintage Guitars in Sherman Oaks. Certified by several big manufacturers and he builds his own classical's. He did great work for me, including a neck reset and reconditioning on my old Goya.
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Old 03-22-2010, 12:39 AM
slopeshoulder slopeshoulder is offline
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+1 on Kirk Sand.....most excellent
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  #13  
Old 03-22-2010, 12:45 AM
Bryan T Bryan T is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garywj View Post
Repairs, setups, fixing surface scratches, etc. Not building a guitar (at least at this time).
I have Leland or Isaac at Westwood Music work on my guitars.
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  #14  
Old 03-22-2010, 01:26 AM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
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Luthiers build stringed instruments. Not all repair techs are luthiers, or vice versa.

I've enjoyed talking with Patrick at Blue Guitar, although I haven't seen his work.
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  #15  
Old 03-22-2010, 01:48 AM
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patticake patticake is offline
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haven't tried neely yet, but two of my very picky friends swear by him, and one of my buddies from back a ways actually stopped sending his guitars back to new york for work after giving neely a couple tries.
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