Info about The Fret Shop. Pro guitar repair, luthier in Athens, GA. Going to 11 since 2002. Setups, fretwork, electronics, finishing, mods, glue-ups, etc.
The Fret Shop is a professional guitar repair & modification business, serving the Athens, GA area music community and going to 11 since 2002.
I got started with guitar repair when I was trying to keep my own gear alive playing on the road, and during that time more and more friends started to come to me when they had an issue, as I was the guy with the toolbox. I still tour constantly playing music, but in 2001 the band I was playing in full time called it quits and I needed a new supplemental day job. Vowing never to return to the world of restaurant slavery, and myself having a few instruments that really needed to be refretted, I decided to gather as many learning materials as I could find and dive in head first. As Jaco Pastorius described his background, I'm "formally self-taught".
Since 2002 when I bought my first business license, I've had to pleasure to work for a long list of my fellow musicians and gear heads, and for local music stores. Some of them are famous, most of them aren't. Some are professionals, others are hobbyists or beginners. What they all share is my love of music and vibrating wood & wire, and they all appreciate the difference that good repair and setup work makes in their performance and their enjoyment of playing. I work the same way on a beginner's cheap starter instrument as I do on an expensive, vintage beauty, because I love to see the look on someone's face when their instrument has become a joy for them to play. I'm compulsive enough about making things right that I'm willing to spend the time chasing after the tedious fine print. I learned early in life that if it's worth doing then you should always do your best work - always.
I work regularly on electric & acoustic guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, dobros, even the occasional cello or upright bass, and anything else that I can pull off, if it's within my skill set.
A brief list of previous, notable Fret Shop clientele includes members of the following artists:
R.E.M.
Widespread Panic
Cracker
Gnarles Barkley
Bob Mould
Vic Chesnutt
John Berry
Morris Pleasure (with Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Ray Charles, Christina Aguilera, etc)
Perpetual Groove
Sound Tribe Sector 9
Randall Bramblett Band
Jim White
John Keane
Five Eight
Bloodkin
Abbey Road Live
Cosmic Charlie
I'd be honored to help you take your instrument to the next level with quality repair, modification, & maintenance. I look forward to seeing you.
Thanks,
Dave
