"THEY DON'T STAND BY THE OLD STUFF...." I bought a very nice used EUB-1. One of the tuning mechanisms broke. I sent 2 emails, with photos, to this place and never heard back. I finally called and explained my situation. The person on the phone told me to look online for something similar. They built the thing. Really, no records of what they bought? It would have been nice to provide the hole measurements at least. Fortunately, a guitar repair shop in Berkeley found an almost identical replacement, no thanks to the people who built the instrument in the first place. I guess they couldn't be bothered to help someone out with an old instrument. Not much money in it, but there's something about standing behind your instruments, even after the sale has placed money in your pocket! read more

If you get a chance to have John work on your guitar, go for it! He is awesome and there's a reason all those famous people went to him..

John took a look at my Guitar amp. He told me he was unable to fix it and send it back to the Rivera due to Parts. Great service Great dude read more

John Carruthers has worked with just about everyone over the years. He's a legend and he knows a lot. He's fixed my guitars that other places gave up on, and he knows immediately what the issue is. You learn a lot watching John. You won't find a better guitar guy in Ventura, possibly in SoCal. We're lucky to have him. read more

Once Again I took my Fender Strat to John Carruthers at his Shop Location in Camarillo. I needed to get it restrung and set up from Headstock to Bridge. John always does such a Professional and Awesome job doing a full setup he always gives me a nice low action and the guitar just plays and sings perfect if you want your Guitar setup by a true Professional with over 50 years experience as a Luthier and Guitar maker then take your Guitars to John and his Crew you won't be disappointed guaranteed you will be back just like me can't thank you and your Crew enough John very happy with my Strat setup. Thank You read more

Carruthers Guitars - My Strat all setup and ready to play - Guitar Stores Near Me - Camarillo, California

John recently restored my Fender 1963 Bandmaster Amp and Reverb Unit. His attention to detail and product knowledge is unrivaled. I strongly recommend John's services! read more

As a newbie I wanted to start with the best service on my new guitar. So I looked up the reviews and saw that John Carruthers has been in business for over 50 years and very well liked. I took my guitar in and got a beautifully done full setup. Talk about a major difference! John made some great recommendations for me as a new guitarist even though he's taken care of the greats like Bob Dylan and many others. I also just got his book on Amazon so I can absorb some of this expertise...he's done it all including designing Guitars at all the major houses. On top of being a guitar genius, he's a humble man. Well run shop supervised by him. read more

I couldn't be happier with the work that Carruther's did on both my Fender Telecaster and Martin acoustic guitars. I'm so happy I found this place and decided to come in. Getting your guitar professionally set up, regardless of the make, model or how much you paid for it, is I now believe essential for the absolute best experience possible when playing. Thank you! read more

I have known John for a few years now. He has transformed some of my guitars into incredible instruments. I have had him do simple setups to complete electronic overhauls. Fret jobs, custom builds. He's just great. He is fair priced. Fun to chat with too. Highly recommended. Check out all the pro players that go to him. Awesome read more

There are guitar repairmen and then there is John. He is truly in a class by himself. We have taken several guitars to him for repair and are thrilled with every aspect of our business dealings with him. He's a consummate professional. read more

Here's the short story: John Carruthers' personal behavior is off the scale rude. My local music store dropped of my vintage mandolin with him because they couldn't do the repair. I had what I thought was a pleasant and interesting phone conversation with John, and he gave me a quote. I decided to get a second quote, if only as a reality check, so I went to pick up the mando the next morning. He was rude from the moment he answered the door, and said that I was making "this" way to difficult. I asked him what he was talking about and he went totally off on me. He said he gave me a "good" quote and if I didn't like it, to get the instrument out of there. What a jerk. Too bad because he's apparently an excellent luthier. read more

The best of the best. Mr Carruthers has a life's experience working on guitars and an eye that makes his work come out the best I've seen. Rest assured you are in good hands with anything Fender and other vintage guitars including acoustics. Be specific, know what you want and set expectations and he will deliver nothing but perfect work. A+ read more

Bought a Rick off Reverb. Had electrical issues. Took it to two different luthiers and neither were able to resolve the issue. John was able to fix it in one try! I love it and no longer regret the purchase. Thanks John! read more

John Carruthers is arguably the finest guitar technician on the planet. His custom electric guitars are meticulously built; play and sound fantastic. His repair and setup work is stellar. There is good reason that he does work and has made new instruments for the best and brightest in the guitar world. He's also done design and consultation for Fender, Yamaha, Ibanez and others. His shop is equipped with CNC machine and other top flight tools usually reserved for the big gun manufacturers. John is simply the best! read more

Carruthers Guitars - Guitar Stores Near Me - Camarillo, California

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John is one of the few TRUE luthiers left. John has worked with almost every famous guitar player you can think of. From the Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Lindsey Buckingham. John also was 2nd to Leo Fender many years ago and was special consultant to Fender guitars. I've taken my guitars to him for many years and his work is absolutely amazing. Most of the guitar repair guys in the San Fernando valley build custom guitars by ordering parts from Allparts.com and assembling them. John has the facilities to build custom guitars and with these facilities he has the ability to fix guitars where guys with little shops in the valley don't. Drive the extra 30 minutes to Camarillo and take your guitar to John. Once you experience the difference in how your guitar sounds and feels, you'll be back to Yelp to say the same things I have. read more

This shop is amazing! They helped fix the circuit board in my guitar after several guitar techs had taken a look at it and couldn't figure it out. John did an outstanding job at an incredible price. They're craft in guitars definitely deserves an honorable mention. Thank you Carruther Guitars! read more

I've been going to Carruthers for years and he always does great work. Guitars come back way better. Never had any complaints. I always drive the extra distance to Camarillo because a good setup makes playing that much more fun! I'd love to buy one of his guitars one day when I can scrounge up the dough. I'm sure they're worth the hefty price. read more

There is a "Master Luthier" named John Carruthers of Carruthers Guitars in Camarillo, CA. John makes, restores, and repairs guitars, for the public, and a long list of world renowned musicians that you can see on his website. For over 50 plus years John has been of service. He comes from a generation that figures it out, creates it, and makes it happen. Johns guitars, and basses are made by hand with the best wood and quality electronics/materials. You want to pick them up to play, and not put them down! I own many of Johns hand made guitars, and they are all 'keepers'. His repairs, and guitar setups are magnificent. My 1935 000-28 Martin guitar was failing. John restored it back to its beautiful sound, and improved its play-ability. John is also reasonably priced! I just picked up my Martin 12-string that had problems. John restored it, and did a set-up with paper thin action! The guitar came back Perfect-better than from the factory !!!! I totally encourage you to visit John Carruthers for repairs, or Treat yourself to one of his beautiful instruments! read more

I took my guitar to have the pickups swapped. I was the pleased that they could get the job done within the next day, therefore I will award them with one star. The estimated charge for the service was $150.00 to change the bridge/neck pickup. I was more than willing to pay the price, having in mind that I was paying for quality. When I received my guitar and took it home, I realized that one of the pickups didn't align perfectly underneath the strings. It was quite off and I wasn't receiving the best sound. (The other pickup did align perfectly with pickup's poles). I took it back and John himself did a half-ass job. Instead of drilling new holes to move the pickup towards the opposite side, he placed a wedge to make the adjustment. The strings do not align perfectly underneath the pickup's poles but it was far better than it was before. For $153.00 spent, said and done, I expected more from the business. I won't be going back and I am still on the search for my go to Luthier. read more