Now here is a cool shop! The front is small, but when you walk outside you can see it actually 2 buildings long and there is a lot of machinery there. I guess the focus is on doing the work rather than bells and whistles. It's refreshing! I had my '72 Strat refretted there recently, and it was a difficult job for Steve because it is a vintage maple neck, and I didn't want to change the look or feel of the neck, apart from the frets. Well, the job was absolutely amazing. There was no evidence of it being done at all, and the frets were finished perfectly. I even received a photographic record of the job so I could see what was done and how. Sensational! Then I got a phone call on the Saturday after asking if the job was OK and how I felt about the service. Noone's ever done that before!
I really can't recommend this shop highly enough. I don't really know Steve that well, but he was highly recommended by everyone I spoke to and I can see why. The passion for guitar in the shop is self evident, it's certainly not a production line retail type thing. It's really old school and hands on.
There is also a book on the counter with photo's of guitars he's made, well, I say guitars but there were Ukulele's, basses, acoustics and electrics and some weird stuff with heaps of strings! So cool!
I hope this shop stays around, you hardly ever see a business where quality comes first and the prices are reasonable. 5 stars!!
PS. Steve is an insane guitar player as well! Apparently he plays every Monday night at the Grace Emily hotel in the house band. read more