Michael is amazing!! He overhauled my alto eight years ago, and it's still going strong. He always makes time for me whenever I need an urgent repair. His pads don't stick, and he always answers my random texts when I'm having some kind of horn drama. Thanks for all your time and talent, Mike! read more

Mike has been my go to guy to keep my clarinets in top shape. He overhauled both my Bb and A clarinets and made sure everything was to my liking. Whenever there is an issue, however small (and there are many things that can go wrong on a clarinet), Mike has been able to problem solve and fix the issue. I feel very fortunate to know him and his work. I trust him to make the right choices on my instruments and implement them to perfection. And his prices are more than fair. read more

Not only Did he do a brilliant overhaul on my saxophone, but year after year he does fine tune adjustments on it without charging. He really cares about the quality and customer satisfaction. It seems like the money is just incidental. And the conversation is always fascinating. He knows a lot of amazing stuff and also is a great listener. read more

There isn't a better case maker around. Mike made me a tenor case for my horn and I couldn't be happier. Solid communication throughout the whole process. Prices are fair, and the quality and care that went into my case was superb. Came in for a repair and he backed up his warranty with no issues. I'd recommend Manning Custom for the best custom case on the market. read more

Your response only confirms what so many of my Bay Area musician friends warned me about: the poor communication, the dismissiveness, and the inflated sense of your own selectivity. For the record, I WAS a repeat customer -- you worked on both my Yamaha tenor and Selmer Mark VI alto on multiple occasions for close to $1,000 over the three repairs. So claiming you "don't know who I am" isn't just false -- it's telling. You didn't "choose" your customers carefully. You just treated them carelessly until they stopped coming back. And to be clear, your work was never exceptional -- passable at best, certainly not worth the frustration of trying to reach you or the disrespect shown in your reply. I should've listened to the many working pro colleagues of mine around here who steered me elsewhere. Who's arrogant? Many blessings to you. read more

Yikes, Mike! No issue with the number being NY. The issue is you shouldn't post your number if you're not going to answer. Or maybe note to leave a message for a swifter response. The phone call was urgent, we were looking to confirm your location as we were on the way. Again, the first time I called, you picked up, said nothing and hung up. Odd behavior for a business owner. So by the time you rejected the 2nd call and sent us to voicemail, you turned us off completely and we chose to explore our other options. Also, it's wild that you're only now responding to a review from 8 months ago. What makes your potential customers think you'll get to a voicemail in a timely manner?? read more

As a working woodwind player, Mike is my primary clarinet tech and he's an expert. I see some reviews are critical that scheduling appointments are not necessarily easy with Mike and while I have also had that experience sometimes, I want to acknowledge I've had this similar problems with almost every good instrument tech I've ever worked with. Maybe it's just me but it's seems like the good tech are busy sometimes and Mike doesn't run a shop with someone to attend the phone like other businesses, it's just him. At the end of the day, Mike has saved me many times when I need my clarinets to be adjusted, often with little notice, and he has always done a good job at a fair rate. read more

Michael is a real wizard with a full range of instrument repairs. Small, medium and large repairs are all done with a very high level of quality and expertise. Additionally, Manning Custom cases are top notch. I have several cases and they are really excellent. One in particular is for a somewhat unique saxophone (Conn Saxello). The new case is a perfect fit for this odd shaped horn. read more

Mike Maning of Manning Custom is a liar, a thief, and a hack. Don't go anywhere near him. He overhauled my tenor saxophone, and butchered the tone holes, making them uneven, and the pads weren't seating correctly. When I asked him to fix it, he just played with the pad, never addressing the butchered tone hole. He repadded my clarinet, and it was leaking like crazy when I picked it up from him, barely playable. When I asked him to fix it he just said I didn't know how to play clarinet well. I ordered a custom soprano saxophone from him. It was wildly out of tune and the octave was literally a semi-tone sharp. I gave him a saxophone mouthpiece to reface. After several months going by and him not refacing it, I asked for it back. He lied and told me it was still not back from the local casters, but I never asked him to, nor agreed for him, to send it to have a cast made of it. He lied and told me I was mistaken and I didn't remember, but I did. Regardless, I humored him and asked him to get it back for me. After calling every week for a long time, it was obvious that the mouthpiece was never coming back. When I told him I would take him to small claims court he laughed and hung up on me. Not to mention witnessing him lying to and stealing from other saxophone players and a major music chain. I won't even get into all the other horror stories I've heard from other saxophone players because I did not witness them first hand. He takes no responsibility for his thievery, lying, or horrifically bad 'repair work.' He should honestly be locked up in a cage by now, but unfortunately justice is not always served. read more

As an afterthought it comes to me that this guy has no response as he is too full of himself to admit he made a mistake that he should have fixed instead of trying to brush it off. In addition he will never benefit from any criticism because he is unable to accept any. But he loves taking large amounts of money from people. read more

I go all overseas and cross country running into Manning Custom woodwind and brass cases... People you know and don't know give the nod as we pass by trekking or rolling the "dragons": my pet name for my Manning cases. What woodwind players are still discovering is something that has benefited my instruments before Mike made his first case: The Manning Custom woodwind repairs, overhauls and special modifications. Mr. Manning kept my saxophones and clarinets in good condition as needed which included replacing wooden tendons and re-enforcing distressed metal with bracing. His saxophone overhauls include handmade pads of several types, notably kangaroo. My lower clarinets received the life-giving key work needed to articulate "come what may". The San Francisco musical community has gained a great resource. J D Parran New York City read more

After buying a number of cases from Manning cases, I had an incident where the wheel came off of a baritone saxophone case Manning had made for me. I asked Mike a year ago if I could get a spare wheel, and he said yes he'd ship it out that week. I am still waiting, that was about a year ago, after numerous texts, and emails, the last one being Monday, 1 week ago when he assured me it was packed and ready to ship. I am still waiting, even snail mail from Sf to LA only takes 3 or so days. I asked for a tracking number and was greeted with icy silence. I even asked for an address so I could buy the wheel myself and not bother the guy. I have bought 6 or 7 cases from Manning but no more, which is too bad as I always need travel cases. I didn't expect this kind of treatment from someone who is supposed to be a musician himself. read more

It's a joy to have Michael get his very talented hands on my horns! He is a master repairman and is very meticulous in his attention to detail. I tried one of his tenor saxophone necks and now play on it. He is one of those rare individuals who brings artistry to the craft of maintaining instruments. As for his cases, they are fantastic! I have an alto and tenor case and never want to use anything else! read more

I've tried every horn repair in the Bay area and no one comes close to getting the job done correctly and reasonably as Manning Custom. Michael puts the schizzle in my whizzle! read more

I have worked with Mike on my gear for about a year since moving to the Bay Area. He's one of the most knowledgeable techs I've ever met, a reasonable businessman, and a nice guy. He always gets my horn set up exactly the way it should be working, and has always been generous with his time and expertise to make the horn feel just right in my hands. During a recent crisis I had after damaging my mouthpiece, Mike helped me out by refacing a few of the pieces he has for sale with an opening that I like. I got to come try them all out and ended up bringing home a piece that is absolutely superior to anything I've played before. Thanks Mike. Of course the cases are superior as well. I've gotten to see the process of how they're made, and they make sure every case that comes out of there is done right. They've been in the business for a long time, but they are constantly researching and iterating on their designs. I like to check in periodically to see what new developments they are working on. I don't know what I would do with my horns without Manning Custom. read more

Mike Manning has undoubtfully made my life as a professional jazz saxophone player stress free. Growing up in the bay area, I've tried every technician in town and have never been satisfied with shotty, overpriced repairs. After I moved back to the bay area from Los Angeles, my horns have been in consistent playing shape. Mike understands the aspects of saxophone repair from a player's perspective. His efficient repairs last. Your saxophone will be leak free then fitted with key clamps or a custom case to keep your horn in adjustment. Many technicians I know refuse to use key clamps - because they want your hard earned money and keep you coming back! I think that says a lot about Mike's personality as a technician that really cares for his clients. Highly recommended. read more

I've been going to Michael for 8 years now and have always gotten my horns back in tip top. He's the best repairman in the country!!!

I ordered an item and never received any communication about when my item would be shipped. Ignored my calls and emails until I asked for a refund. All complaints ignored. No answers to any questions. Just a simple "We do not give refunds. We're sending your item now". This was after a month of emails and calls.... read more

I've been a customer of Mike's for over 9 years and he's worked with me over the years to really help me make my horn play the best that it can be. His custom made cases are top notch, they are custom made to fit your horn and your horn alone. When you enter his shop, you immediately understand that this is a guy who puts the time into his craftmanship, like you do as a player and builds everything from the ground up. This isn't some mass produced factory business, this is "Manning Custom" Mike works with you as an individual and not as a generic player, he wants to know what YOU need as an individual and help you that way, that's one of Mike's greatest strengths. read more

The Manning Custom Case is unparalleled for the professional musician. I have toured across the US and Canada playing hundreds of gigs on bari and tenor sax; loading in and out of arenas, sheds, festivals, clubs; on tour buses, vans, every size of commercial aircraft and even boats; in blazing hot weather and snow and hailstorms; and with my horns being handled by crew grunts and roadies and TV guys and their toadies. My saxophones have been safely nestled in their form fitted Manning cases through all of it and always arrive in perfect playing condition. If you are a traveling baritone sax player, you must do whatever it takes to get your horn to San Francisco and have Mike build you a case. Since my bari has been in its Manning case, I have brought it onto commercial flights as CARRY-ON luggage 95% of the time, with minimum flak from ground crew and airline attendants. You bari players know what I'm talking about. read more

There are very few technicians with the experience and knowledge Mike has in the world, let alone California. All of my horns will continue to be serviced through Manning Custom so long as I can help it. read more

I have had a lot of work done by Mike Manning in the past year or so. Complete overhaul of my bass clarinet, plus a new custom case with wheels. Complete overhaul of my trusty Buffet R-13 clarinet, and additional work on another of the same. Extensive work on my soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, and a new case for the tenor. Planning a new case for the alto early next year. Mike is a terrific craftsman and an expert woodwind technician. I've had work done by people all over the country, and Mike is the best at what he does, hands down. Particularly if you are a professional and want meticulous artist quality work done on high end instruments, he is the guy for the job. TEN STARS...... read more