Good Guitar Repair Places in Connecticut

Nick Ioannucci · #1 06-21-2006, 05:50 PM

well theres a guitar shop down the street from me, and i dont feel comfortable going to them. he installed a BAII bridge and didnt slot the saddles on a friends bass, as well as doing a horrible job soldering in his new pickups. so i need a reliable place at which they can cut me a new nut, set a neck, and actually slot the saddles for the BAII im going to drop in. Any help is greatly appreciated.

winston · #2 06-21-2006, 11:09 PM

Growing up in Darien, CT ('72-'90) I always had great results with Select Guitars in Norwalk. Back in '91 they did a fine job installing Bart pickups and a BadAss II (properly slotted) on my Squier Jazz. Last time I went there (5 or 6 years ago) they were still on Westport Avenue down the street from the Stew Leonard's with the little farm out front. There's quite a few CT TBers (including Setup/Repair mod Joshua) so you're likely to get some good responses.

Nick Ioannucci · #3 06-22-2006, 09:38 AM

Im in Fairfield county if that helps out, monroe if you know where that is. Tanks for the replies, i just dont trust the guy down the road, nor do i trust myself enough to take the knife to the bridge, bu a 6 dollar replacement nut yeah probably.

dougjwray · #4 06-22-2006, 11:26 AM

I had a bad experience at Select Guitars... the guy was only doing the "series/parallel mod" to a Jazz Bass and he botched it. Plus, he wouldn't answer his phone. Ridiculous.

Now, I go to Imai Guitars in Manhattan. Norio Imai apprenticed at Fodera, worked for years at Sadowsky, and he's a very nice guy, too. His clients include Will Lee, Jagger & Richards, Bowie, Lou Reed, Steve Vai, etc., etc.
Imai Guitars
20 W. 22 St., Suite 414
NYC
212 675-8408

If you absolutely have to stay in Fairfield County, go to Guiliano's Music Center in Stamford. I believe Guiliano may still give his repair jobs to his father, who is superb and used to have his own shop in White Plains for years.
Guiliano's Music Center
87 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT
203 359-2559

Nick Ioannucci · #5 06-22-2006, 12:57 PM

the guy down the road would be mainstreet music. hes fairly new idk like 2-3 years maybe, and i cant believe that he didnt slot the BAII, i mean honestly its obviously not a drop in part it says so on the package. unless maybe that was a fluke. then again if you cant solder either... who kows. Maybe ill check out those places in new york while up at my grandparents in the city this summer. they seem like they would charge an arm and a leg seeing how all the pros go there. is this true?

dougjwray · #6 06-22-2006, 01:30 PM

Norio Imai is very fair in his pricing-- at least, that's been my experience.
The elder Guiliano was a bit more pricey, but did fine work, too. (As I said, I'm not sure whether he's really retired now, or whether his son still passes along repair work to him.)
Anyway, I wouldn't expect either guy to charge "rock star" rates at all.

Nick Ioannucci · #7 06-22-2006, 03:31 PM

yeah that is the guy next to senor ponchos. im surprised that theres a place thats possibly closer that i dont know about. and its good that they know how to take care of a fretless because that is the bass in question. btw can you put up an address or website for guitar hanger? i cant find them online.

20db pad · #8 06-23-2006, 07:51 AM

http://www.guitarhangar.com/

Here's the go-to guy in the Hartford area:

Steve Kubica (Guitar Magic)
Specialist in Wiring, Fretting, Vintage,
and Custom Building.
860-529-1930

tkozal · #9 06-23-2006, 08:21 AM

When I lived in Stamford, I still took my basses to Rudy's or 30th st guitars in the city.

Nick Ioannucci · #10 06-23-2006, 09:05 AM

thanks guys youre the best. this should be good for any other fellow... people living in connecticut(is there a word for that?)

MuzikMan · #11 06-23-2006, 03:15 PM

Cons?.......................Well maybe not.

20db pad · #12 06-23-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

20db pad - your sig cracks me up!

Thanks...this is a line from The Simpsons - or Conan O'Brien. I forget.

Nick Ioannucci · #13 06-23-2006, 09:39 PM

im almost temtped to see if i can go score a job at the place down the road to see if he needs someone that can do a decent solder job... but im definitely gonna contact guitar hangar. THANKS AGAIN

dave_p · #14 06-25-2006, 01:55 PM

ive had good luck with connecticut music in stamford.its a family business and joe seems really concientious. i used to prefer using a guy named larry c. but he moves around a lot and i cant always find him. i dont want to spell out his name on the net, just ask around for larry c. who used to play with ratso. anyone in the business may know where hes working currently. if you can find him see him first. bob at select is a good guy and knowledgable, id bring an axe there but not as my first choice. the dude at guilianos is a great, great guy but i dont know anything about repairs over there, they may be good.

avoid norwalk music like the plague.

winston · #15 06-25-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_p

ive had good luck with connecticut music in stamford.its a family business and joe seems really concientious. i used to prefer using a guy named larry c. but he moves around a lot and i cant always find him. i dont want to spell out his name on the net, just ask around for larry c. who used to play with ratso. anyone in the business may know where hes working currently. if you can find him see him first. bob at select is a good guy and knowledgable, id bring an axe there but not as my first choice. the dude at guilianos is a great, great guy but i dont know anything about repairs over there, they may be good.

avoid norwalk music like the plague.

I always had good luck at Connecticut Music in Stamford in the '80's. At least back then it was very old-school/family-oriented in attitude but with a good selection of modern gear. My brother got his first electric guitar there (and the Boss BF-2 Flanger I still love). They were straight-shooters--in the early '80's they told people to buy Japanese Squiers which were better/much cheaper than the CBS Fenders they also carried.

Select Guitars also used to be in Stamford, then they moved to Wall St. in Norwalk before Westport Ave. I remember waiting for their yearly "closed-door sale" with fervent anticipation. Norwalk Music seemed more band-instrument oriented and they always pushed whatever they had in stock as the best you could get.

Not that any of this answers your repair question, but this thread brings up fond memories of my earliest contacts with the bass guitar.

Josh P · #16 04-18-2008, 06:40 AM

I was surprised to see a negative review of Norwalk Music. I've been going there for the last couple years when I'm in from the road. Richie and Michael (the owner I think) have really done great work on by instruments. Because of my demanding schedule they've jumped through hoops for me too.
In talking to Richie, I learned that he studies under Bryan Galloup at his guitar hospital.
In any event all my experiences there have been good ones and they couldn't have been more helpful to me.

mattygbass · #17 04-18-2008, 07:40 PM

i dont know how close you are to storrs-mansfield, but guitar workshop has done incredible work for me. im amazed every time i pick my basses up that someone can do such great work. ive sent many people to him and all are very happy with his work. its worth a little drive if need be.