First off, it's a shame to publically leave a negative review like this, but, as poor behavior seems to be becoming more common in the instrument market, I feel it's important to share the behavior surrounding my experience with a bass Mark set up and two conversations I shared with Mark. Went to check out a bass being sold by Bruce Gordon, listed as "excellent, barely used" and set up by Mark Leue. He said "I work with Mark Leue". In person, the bass was evidently heavily used, with chunks out of the wood and a plenty of dents. The fingerboard is separating from the neck. While checking it out, I asked if it was new and Bruce repeated the instrument was nearly new and not gigged. When i pointed out the cosmetics and their implication, he said the instrument is not new and "was gigged dozens of times". As it happens, Bruce is also listed as a 'minister' on Facebook. So. Bass plays fine, but Bruce and Mark don't. The bass was listed for $2000, when it retails for less. We'd agrees to start at $1600 via email, but after a short conversation with Bruce, I took it home for much less, to the weak bleats of a justly shamed man. I called Mark and he didn't seem to know Bruce well, so I dropped it. It's now the following week, and I noticed the crack in the neck. I called Mark, who'd looked over the instrument, and he said he missed the crack. I was surprised he missed a second opportunity to roundly criticize rather than excuse Bruce's behavior (falsely advertising a used bass as new, higher than list prices). Mark instead said that Bruce is rough on his instruments, failing to address the false advertisement. In my opinion, this is unacceptable, so this review is relevant as it regards a bass which came through Mark's shop and was sold by a customer who claims association with Mark, and whose behavior Mark will not condemn. Again, that behavior is listing a well-worn bass as excellent and 'ungigged' and trying to charge higher-than-new price for it. Bruce, you lied through your teeth about this bass and the only beat you didn't miss was when you shamelessly changed the bass's history with your words. Mark, you failed to roundly condemn this behavior, and to note the crack in the neck of this bass. It's a nice bass otherwise, but I think these people should consider the used instrument market as something other than a means to dishonestly profit and an old boys club: "he's just rough on his instruments". read more

This is my second review for this guy- and without getting into too many details, he is one of the kindest and big-hearted human beings I have ever had the pleasure to deal with. He deserves all the business we can give him. I will recommend his services and sales to anyone who is even thinking about buying or repairing a stringed instrument- and we will be customers for life. Thank you Mark, from the bottom of our hearts!! The Herrera Family Shelburne Falls read more

I brought my F5 mandolin to Mark for a problem with the pegs. He tinkered with the instrument and made it work, something any other shop would have turned away. I'm very happy to recommend Mark Leue to anybody who has a stringed musical instrument that needs set up or repair. read more