Brian is a butcher. Do not take anything you care about to him…read more In mid-March, I brought my Takamine LTD 2003 Eagle to Brian to refinish. It was designed for the group, The Eagles, and only 500 were made. I bought the guitar new in 2003. The retail at that time was around $2400. It's now a collector. The guitar had a milky haze that had built up from a contaminate in the finish and probably over humidifying on my part. It was in mint condition outside of the hazy finish. Brian sold me on his ability to do the best job of anyone around. I was excited to have my prize guitar looking like new again. He said it would be about 30 days. I knew nothing of guitar repair or refinishing at the time. He thought it might be a nitro finish, but it was poly, which is extremely hard to get off. Every luthier I spoke to on this said you have to scrape it and not to sand it because it's toxic. I asked for progress pictures when he had it stripped. After 30 days, there had been zero communication. Called, no answer. Text, no answer. I dropped in to see if I could get an update. He was in the parking lot. I hadn't said a word and was walking towards him when he said, "Hey, I don't respond well to customers pressuring me!" I was shocked because I hadn't said a word and I told him I wasn't expecting the guitar, but just wanted to see where it was in the process. He told me Covid-19 caused him not to be able to give music lessons and it made him fall behind. (Yeah, I didn't get that either. It should have given him more time on repairs.) He said he figured out the finish was poly and was taking more time than nitro and the neck "was a pain in the ass". He said he'd send me pics and I went on my way. Around 60 days in, I got a pic that showed me that only the back of the body had been sanded. That's it. The "pain in the ass" neck was still attached. At 90 days, not a peep. Several texts and phone call attempts later, he finally responded and said he closed because of the riots at the beach. (He's geographically nowhere close... yeah, another excuse that made no sense.) He said he hadn't done much since the only pic I received with the back sanded. I told him that I felt I'd been pretty patient and I wanted to simply know if he could complete the job and to please give me a reasonable timeframe. He said he thought it best if I found someone else to complete the job. I went to his shop and picked up the guitar. As busy as he said he was, he was just sitting chatting with someone. Explains a lot. I never offered pay and he never asked. I simply just walked out without either of us saying a word. (I recorded the event because I was sure he'd say something.) When I got home, I opened the case and was shocked. I thought he'd only done the back, but half of the front had been sanded up to the Eagle with a power sander. It was evident that the top was thinned. There were 2 deep gashes near the fret extension near the sound hole where he'd used a putty knife or similar and tried to pry the neck off the body. One of the frets had 7 drill holes where he tried unsuccessfully to release the dovetail. (Pics attached) After contacting several other luthiers, every single one said that the neck should not be removed to refinish a guitar. Every one. After seeing the guitar, the word "butcher" was used by at least 2 of them. It was obvious that Brian had no clue how to get the neck off a 2003 Takamine. I think they are both glued and dowelled. I guess that's why he couldn't pry it up! This guy says he teaches others... Sounds like he could use a few more classes himself. He was able to pry half of the fret extension up. That meant the neck now had to come off. Takamine states that the neck should never come off their guitars unless you're doing a neck reset. I found the foremost Takamine expert in the country who does repair in California. The guitar is there now. He's going to let me know if the guitar has basically been destroyed or if he can salvage Brian's butchering. He has informed me that he actually knows the proper procedure for removing and doing a neck reset on that era Takamine, unlike Brian. It should be mentioned that I gave Brian multiple opportunities to both complete the job and also to repair the neck before I sent the guitar to California. I've kept all text correspondence during this entire ordeal. As it stands, you may be asking if I've moved against Brian legally and the answer is no - and further - I won't if the California restoration is able to be completed. It's not worth it. However, if they inform me that the guitar is beyond repair, all options are on the table. I feel I have a duty to warn others considering him for repairs or restoration on their special guitars - Steer clear! I'd hate to see anyone have the same experience. I think he truly is a butcher and definitely a procrastinator. There are better luthiers (Jasper Guitars, Angelico Violins, Music-go-round, and Mark Brumitt in Richmond)

In September 2020, I took the opportunity to take Brian's one week setup/repair class. Prior to…read morethis class, I had always taken my guitars to a local shop in Northern Virginia for setups. My experience level was limited to string changes and I had never even taken a truss rod cover off. Day one, we were out of the shoot breaking down how stringed instruments work and how to make them work properly. During the week, I became proficient in guitar setups, minor repairs, and even wound a set up pickups, which sound absolutely phenomenal. This is truly a course that you will get out of it what you put into it. Brian is an excellent teacher and seemed to cater his teachings to my level of enthusiasm. He breaks down the lesson to where it is easy to understand and put into action. One of the lessons learned that is not part of the class is the actual business of guitar repair. Brian is a great businessman that truly cares about his customers. I watched as he interacted with customers and observed while he handled their instruments. I can guarantee your instrument is in great hands while being repaired by Brian. He is a truly skilled craftsman. One of the most interesting things I noticed while in the shop was his genuine care of people. I specifically watched him with one student and the way that he was giving him lessons that crossed over from stringed instruments, to a lesson of life confidence. This is a little sappy, but nonetheless, speak to the character of Brian Hawkins and Hawkins Guitar. I cannot say enough about my experience in the repair school. I have learned a new skill which I have put into action on my own guitars. They were long days, but awesome days. You will definitely get your money's worth in this class. Brian builds some of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen. He is a great teacher and a genuinely good person at heart. If you entrust Brian with your instrument or educational opportunity, you can trust you are in good hands!

If you are looking for an instrument for your high school student then this is the place…read more If you are a serious musician you will find the store is confusing, cluttered mess. The proprietor seem nice enough, if a bit eccentric, but hey, aren't most musicians?

I went in to buy an electric acoustic guitar. My salesperson was super professional and friendly…read moreand In. Wry happy with the purchase. So glad I found this place. I will be back

Absolutely terrible. We came in to repair a cello and were told it would take a 45$ flat rate and 2…read moredays. 10 days of repair and several phone calls later we were charged 70$. The arrogant clerk(who on the phone called customers a "bother") refused to negotiate at all and was offended that we would even suggest that their hidden fees were in any way unfair. We had to cycle through employees until we finally met the owner, who after this entire 30 minute ordeal decided to remove half of the fee he tried to spring on us in the first place. He told the angry cashier to do it, and he did, huffing, groaning, and complaining through the whole thing. When we got the cello, the repair job was barely satisfactory, despite the owner's insistence that the repairman's "wonderful" work justified the money they tacked on to what they said they would charge. I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy. If you're looking to get ripped off, held up, and frustrated, then DnD's the place. Otherwise, please, save your money, get better customer service, and a more skillful repair somewhere else in the area.

The knowledge and service at this store is outstanding, and they also make a strong community…read moreeffort. I asked the luthier, Jason, to see what he could do to improve the playability of my guitar. I have tender fingers. Jason spent 15 minutes explaining different variables that affect playability. He noted that the action was a little high, and that sanding down the nut and replacing the saddle would reduce pressure on my fingers. He also explained how a different kind of string, the Elixir, would be more pleasurable to play. I picked the guitar up today and it does feel amazingly better! Also, Duncan, one of the "D"s who co-owns the shop, took a few minutes of his time to cover up a scratch on my headstock AND tune my instrument. I'm very impressed by the quality of work, the attention to detail and the customer service I received. They also host a Bluegrass Jam the third Saturday of each month and will start hosting a Drum Circle on Sunday, February 5th. Eric is organizing the Drum Circle.

What a great place! They have violins of every size including tiny ones for little children. They…read moreare also well stocked with other stringed instruments. Don was more than helpful and kind!

Don't waste a trip if - like I did, drive forever, and across a drawbridge, after the shittiest…read moretraffic, you'll find a pompous old guy who will tell you he is too busy for your shit - and wil admittedly price it accordingly. So call me if you want to get your instrument back and working order again, expect it to be more than a value of your instrument. And that said it will be only because he is too busy for you. Just saving you a trip!

I know this guy on a personal level and I can vouch for his outstanding work. I have never seen…read moreanybody so passionate about their work/trade. People are just in aw when they come and pick up their instrument after Steve is finished with it. He puts his heart and soul in everything he does and it shows in his work. I highly recommend Steve for all of your musical/instrument needs.

From the owner: Total restorations to simple adjustment of fine stringed instruments.Expert bow rehair/repair. Pro…read moreinstrument setup.Pro instrument short term rentals.

Russell is the man! I feel blessed to have stumbled upon this shop. It's local and better than some…read morenationwide store. He helped me a lot with just one simple gesture of guidance and I can't thank him enough. I will be back and others should come here too, always good to learn some wisdom.

Small, intimate place with the best staff. It's usually Russell at the counter. There's a limited,…read morebut interesting selection of mostly used stuff if you're a guitarist. Sometimes there are some wildly cool guitars on the wall. I've always found what I needed when I went there. His inventory isn't huge, but it's very well thought out. If you're a drummer, you'll love the place even more. This is always the first place I'll go if I need anything musical. Strings, tuners, tambourines, amps, parts, or just a couple minutes shooting the shit with the cool, knowledgeable musician/proprietor. Also, if you're looking for a luthier, they outsource to a skilled and straight-up honest guy. I've brought my acoustic and electrics there several times for work. Always happy with the results and feedback about my instruments. Forget the big chains and give Russell's a visit. Support local business, especially when the local business kicks butt like Russell's does!

Was a great shop, it appears they are temporarily closed due to illness and subsequent death of the…read moreowner. This store has alway been a fabulous shop and I've bought one of my Taylor's there. I hope the owner's wife opens it back up.

Brought my Fender Starcaster in for a service and it was out with 10 mins. I appreciate the great…read morecustomer service will be coming back in the future!

I can't even begin to say how horrible this company is. They are not a military friendly, have…read morehorrible customer service and do not care about their customers at all. We rented our son's musical instrument in New York and then moved to Virginia. We went to this store in VA to return the instrument in August since my son decided on a different elective. I was told from Maggie based in their system we only had 1 more month to pay on it and it was ours. So I took it back home. We still were getting charged monthly. When I called 1800 customer service number, I was informed by representative Carlos based on their system New York and New Jersey are the only states that rent monthly NOT rent to own so I was continuing to be charged. I asked for reimbursement and was told he couldn't do anything and a supervisor will call me. Supervisor Ana called me back 5 days later and I was told the only thing I could do was return the instrument to not get charged anymore. I escalated it to a higher level supervisor who again didn't call back for a week, while I returned the instrument that day in store. Maggie and Chris were in the store and they apologized and stated they couldn't do anything and to continue with the 1800 number. When I called to determine the status of my case, I was told I didn't have authorization as it was under my husband's name and he had to call. I gave the representative, Carlos my case number and supervisor Ana's name and magically I could speak about the incident. Hence the reason for this review! Congratulations Music and Arts you received a $200 donation from us, but we will recommend ALL of our friends and any MILITARY people to NOT use your company. It is a shame there is no military clause! I still do not understand how the store's system is DIFFERENT than the customer service system? Remember people, document everything (date, time, personnel you spoke to) because it matters.

I've been in the shop 3-4 times now and the staff have been knowledgeable and friendly.. Chris,…read moreAustin, Matt, and Maggie have been super friendly! I feel like the selection of guitars have a wide variety of styles and include economic versions. Extra thanks to Austin for being a great help! Thanks again all! -The Suttons (Megan, Shannon, Sam)

They are weird and judgmental and I just wanted a guitar pic cause I had an ancient instrument for…read moreJapan and I felt like they really didn't wanna help me. They just took my money and made me feel uncomfortable with a person of color.

I have been to this store more times than I can count. They always exceed my expectations. I play…read morein a band, and we perform at least every two weeks. My primary Fender Jazzmaster guitar had a short in the volume knob and caused me several problems at our gig this past weekend. I took the Guitar there Monday and Michael (the owner) said he could fix it locally. I was hoping to get it within a week. He repaired it in one day. Most importantly, he only charged me $68.00 and this included installing new strings which I provided. This is a great business, and you just can not do better!