Music retail of almost all musical instruments. Repairs of all stringed instruments. Lessons in most instruments.
Ah!! The early 60's and Southern California. A few guys and I met in junior high and formed a band (I didn't play guitar at the time, but I could sing). We learned some songs, got some outfits, and played some gigs. We played the U.S.O., teen clubs, high school dances, EM and NCO clubs, and The L.A. Teenage Fair. We did some recording at Shantays (Pipeline) and the Righteous Brothers studios. The wine (soda) women (girls) and song (rock 'n' roll).
Post high school, the 60's and 70's. A move to Northern California. The Redwoods, Mendocino, and now guitars. A chance to play bars, clubs, fairs, and rallies. Any chance at all. And a chance to play with some successful friends and stars. Such as: Gene Parsons (Burrito Bros + Byrds), Gene Clark (Christie Minstrels +Byrds) , Billy Kreutzman (Greatful Dead), Nick Gravinetes (Electric Flag ETC), Joel Scott Hill (Canned Heat, Flying Burrito Bros.), Johnny Barbata (Turtles CSN&Y, Starship), Tommy Kendal (Platters, ETC), Ramblin Jack Elliot, Booker T Jones, Chris Ethridge (Willy Nelson), Steven Stills, Grahm Nash, Tom Quinn, Philo Hayward, Mike Woods (America), Peter Oliva (Gene Parsons Band + KC Souther Band), Billy Shay (Mendocino Allstars + Ambergris), and many more.
Years ago I found the parts of what had been my grandmother's 1890's C. Bruno Parlor guitar. I saw no reason it couldn't be put back together and played again. It was my first restoration project and has become my favorite guitar to play.
There have been many such projects since. Now with the right tools and much better skills I can bring guitars, mandolins, banjos, basses, violins, charangos, requintos, ukulele's, and resonators back to life. For friends, neighbors, and folks near and far.
It was inevitable that building new instruments would become part of my life. I can offer custom made guitars with exotic woods, custom pick ups, artistic shapes, and fine finishes. Now we have a new 1000 sq. foot retail shop offering sales and repair of just about any stringed instrument a picker could ask for. From Celtic to Latin & Blue Grass to Rock 'n' Roll. We also offer instruction in drums, bagpipes & wind instruments, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, harp and harmonica.
