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Category: Musical Instruments & Teachers
Neighborhoods: Mission, Potrero HillTue-Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
McL wanted to change the setup on his Martin DX-1. Something about making it easier to play and sounding better. I had no idea what he was talking about since I'm a guitar n00b... But thank to yelp, he was able to find Guitarworks. So during the weekend, I stopped by here and dropped off his guitar. I explained the best way I could what he wanted to get out of changing the setup. I felt like I was speaking a foreign language since none of it made sense to me. But the guys at GW seemed to understand every word. I was told it would be ready in a week.
Sure enough, a week later I got a call saying the guitar was ready to be picked up. The guy who left the voicemail sounded so enthused when speaking of the guitar. I couldn't help but smile listening to the message. If only everyone were that excited about their work.
McL was extremely happy with the outcome, as the enthusiastic man said he would be.
These guys know their guitars and they seem genuinely happy to be doing what they do. While waiting for my turn to speak to the guy behind the counter, I listened to the guy ahead of me speak "guitar" with them. They know their shit.
If you need to get your guitar worked on, I HIGHLY recommend this place.
Man, what a pleasure. This place has it all. Old world craftsmanship and best of the best customer service. They call back several weeks after a repair to make sure all is well! Can you believe that?
The only complaints I can imagine, are the lengthy wait times for repairs. This speaks to their well deserved following though I suspect.
This is a model for any business. Wish my car mechanic, dentist, and doctor had this commitment to customer service.
This place is great! Goeff totally revived my 5-string Ibanez bass by replacing the defective locking plug jack with a standard, no-frills 1/4 jack. He even fabricated a snazzy black bezel to cover the differently-placed mounting holes.
The work was completed the same day and my bass now plays without shorting out.
Check it out:
http://www.hayseed.net...
I highly recommend this shop for expert work and friendly service.
-- Symon
I brought a new guitar here for a set up and got it back a week later as promised... sounding and playing nice. Spencer handled my order in a pleasant and professional way.
overall a good experience...and unless i discover an issue with my guitar over the next week........im happy.
UpDATE. no problems with my guitar...sounds Great!!!
I'm unable to comment on their ability to repair, which is their main focus.
I would, however, like to comment on how poorly they treated me when I went in to get strings really fast. Here's how it went:
* Open door, and I look around
* 'Hello, how can I help you?'
* 'I just need some strings.'
* 'What gauge?'
* Not knowing what gauge I want, I say 'regular,' meaning the most common
* In the most smart ass tone you can imagine, clerk retorts 'well, what is regular to you?!'
I should have walked out and not bought from them. I couldn't believe it. I will never go back here for strings or repair.
this place is great. at first i was a little hesitant about brining my guitar here from the reviews i read. then someone referred me to this place and i was a bit scared about how much they were gonna charge for repairs. i am a beginner guitarist and do not know much guitar lingo, but the guys (benjamin and geoff) were nice enough to try to explain to me the works. they quoted me a fair price i was willing to pay for and a decent time frame... the best part was it was cheaper than what i got quoted from when i first went in, AND they gave it to me a day early because i needed it for a gig. this place rocks. will be brining my other guitars to them in the future. thanks guys
I brought in an electric guitar that a friend built for me a long time ago. I like it but was not sure how "guitar shop guys" would react to it. Fortunately, these guys not only didn't shun it for not being a classic fender or whatnot, but actually seemed into it. (Sorry for the triple negatives there..) SImple setup, raised the nut, replaced the input jack. Guitar sounds good. I also switched string brands at the same time, so I'm not sure if it's the new strings or the setup - but the guitar seems chimier now - a good thing! like, better harmonics, and also good intonation. A little pricey, but I'd rather spend a little more than risk mutilation of my old friend at the hands of a hack.
These guys are a little pricey but this kind of expertise and customer service does not come cheap.
I took a Bass in for a "set up" and the guy at the counter, I believe this is a two man operation, told me it would be $90. He suggested a neck straighting procedure for $250, he promised that they'd get out any dead spots and I agreed to the work.
After I left I started to feel like I was being flim flammed, I thought "I guess they'll tell me that I need an undercoating and a Johnson rod next" but decided to see what was going to happen.
A couple days before I was supposed to pick up my Bass they called me to tell me they couldn't straighten the neck and that I may need to re-fret it for boo coo $$$$. I asked them to do the best they can with the "set up" and leave it at that. I have to say at this point I didn't have a very good impression of these guys. Maybe it's my natural paranoia but I decided that they were trying to scam me.
I went in to pick up my Bass ready for a fight, man was I wrong about this place. The other guy, not the one I talked to the first time, Showed and explained everything going on with my instrument until I was completely satisfied that they were 100% right.
There are a few problems with the neck way down where I never play anyway, I'm not playing Jazz here, but otherwise It's great. They did a terrific job!!
They did a little extra work beyond the normal "set up" and the price ended up being $135 after tax and everything. I'll definitely go back here for any future work.
CHAPTER 1:
Nice enough when took it in.
Nice when I picked it up and spoke
with Spencer. Delivered the guitar back to
me on the date projected, appreciated that.
Problems with the repair, however.
Took my new guitar in for a "set-up". Told them needed the action lowered and the buzzing on E string fixed. Got the guitar back on the day promised which was nice. When I got it home the action on the neck was better, but not only was the E string still buzzing, but the A string was buzzing in addition, a new problem.
If they are courteous and rectify it I'll let you know. But having it not done right the first time and having a new problem with the guitar does not make me a happy customer.
Says they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and state they will do it right the first time on their website.
I am hoping that things go okay when I take it back in and they will rectify the problem or refund my money in a courteous, timely manner.
Just disappointing. So far, the doing it right the first time and 100% satisfaction has not panned out. Hope that they will step up to the plate and not make it a hassle and time consuming to get it right the second time, sinceI have to take it back in and see what happens.
Just a note:
They listed me as a "beginner player" on the workorder. Hmmmm, how do they know what level I am (sexist?) or maybe a judgement
on my guitar itself? I am not a beginner player, even if I may not be Carlos Santana, and wonder why they EVEN write such a thing on the work order. It's about the guitar I would think. I never said anything about my playing level.
**CHAPTER 2:
Took guitar back to discuss prob. Almost literally, the first thing Geoff says to me is "I saw your review on Yelp" and then proceeds to light into me, saying I should have brought it back first before reviewing, defending the things he didn't like about the review, saying they are not sexist, he thought he heard me say I was a "beginning player" (as they had listed me as). I stated that I had never said I was a beginning player. Some searching for excuses/explanations on his part for that (IMHO).
No apologies,
NO, EVEN HI, WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU? Then listen to the prob and attempt to rectify the it. All about attacking me and the Yelp review. IMHO, a professional would not have brought up the review at all, been courteous and just tried to work on recitifying the customer's problem to back-up the100% sat. guarantee on their website.
Great way to try and improve your Yelp review, NOT!
Shocked at unprofessional behavior.
Last thing I expected to hear first thing, or at all, when I walked in was his anger about the review. I expected that we would discuss the prob with the guitar and try to resolve it, hopefully amicably.
Communication was brought up in another review and I feel that this was definetly an issue here.
The QUESTION is: If your customer is not happy with your service and you don't like their review on Yelp, what is the appropriate way to deal with it? One would think that trying to help the customer immediately, rather than take them to task about their review would make good business sense, Doing this might warrant an improved review, jumping on them (and that is what it felt like to me and my GF witnessed it similarly), the minute they walk in about a review isn't likely to leave customer with a good feeling. Regardless, of what the owner thought of the review, it's just unprofessional to relate to a customer like that IMHO.
It was not lost on me that there happened to be no customers in the shop while he was giving me a hard time about the Yelp review. Just me and my GF.
FINALLY, my GF stopped the angry attitude aimed at me, by asking what he was going to do about it NOW?
He proceeded to try and adjust guitar a number of times. At one point he asked to see how I play, and attributed the issue to my style of playing. Since the problem could be duplicated without my even playing it, and I had, had another pro look at it previous to bringing it back who affirmed this, this to me was more reaching. In the end, I was told that it was a neck issue that couldn't be resolved without fret work.
They never asked me to play the guitar for them before the repair or before I took it home the first time.
I checked it briefly but not putting it on and playing. Learned MY lesson there, but have not had this at other luthiers, esp. the 'tude upon entering. Only when I came back after the initial repair, and he was trying to fix it did he ask to see how I played.
MONEY WAS REFUNDED after number of attempts to fix, that I felt was Geoff saying he was done, and to demonstrate his fairness.
I accepted the money, but asked he at least get it back to where it was when I had brought it in that day, which was better than what it was at that moment. He did that.
Minus anger episode, better odds for cust. satisifaction and a completely diff Yelp review which can be revised.
One of my basses, a Peavey Foundation S needed some work badly, so I took it in after going over a few reviews here. I am so glad I did.
Super friendly service and knowledgeable, Spencer... you are da man! I said this axe is just out of tune all over the place and to do whatever set up adjustments it would take. Also throw some heavier gauge strings for deeper sound. He told me that would be no problem, gave me a due date, and a service stub.
They finished up on time, adjusted the neck, action, pick up position and polished the fingerboard. This Peavey's always been just an adequate performer, but now it's being the best it can be. Thanks guys!
This place gets lots of business so the work time can be a couple or three weeks. Guitarworks is VERY COOL!!!
These guys are great! As a woman beginning to play the guitar, I felt completely welcomed and taken care of when I took my instrument in for a set up. I'm new to guitars and felt a bit intimidated going into the shop for the first time. Geoff was great to give me some pointers and tell me what my guitar needed. He was patient and helpful and didn't make me feel stupid asking beginner questions! My set up was done on time and plays beautifully. I would recommend them highly - professional, reasonable, friendly, and punctual.
I must add that I had read the 1 star review given by a woman back in August before taking my guitar in, and I'm glad that I didn't give her review much weight. (But, given the length of what she wrote, she seemed like she just had a chip on her shoulder anyway.) Regardless, I'm so grateful to have found these guys on the front-end of my new found hobby.
Overall I was impressed with the professionalism, quality workmanship, and enthusiasm at this shop. I entrusted Guitarworks with my prized Les Paul. After the repairs were done, I walked away feeling like my guitar had been handled with the proper attention and professionalism. My only complaint is that it took about a month for the repairs to be done (1 week longer than initially promised). Nevertheless, I'll likely return!
Great little guitar shop. Pride of ownership and workmanship is very apparent.
Sells Reverend & Eastwood guitar brands. Decent quality fairly priced Korean made guitars.
This ain't Guitar Center - THANK GOD!
Little Pricey & Little Bit Long of a Wait, but very good service and very friendly, knowlegable staff and very satisfied with the results.
who says you can't polish a turd?
i brought spencer my semi-homemade strat to do the sf guitarworks magic. what started life as a hello kitty stratocaster (now with custom mahogany/pau ferro neck screaming through a seymour duncan invader with lr baggs piezos for rhythm... flat black themed) ended up with skyscraper like action.
after an awesome setup it now has perfect intonation and the thing plays like butter. i was told before i left the shop when dropping it off there might be a need to shim the neck, so no surprises when the invoice was signed at pick up. paid exactly what i was quoted.
my guitars now have a great "mechanic". thanks sf guitarworks.
SF Guitarworks has earned my trust.
Trust is important when you are bringing your guitars to a technician. I had never been to this place prior to this experience but after a few minutes talking with Rob I had no problem leaving my guitars there for a few weeks (they were very busy, and I understand why!).
After picking up my guitars I was eager to get home and play. Within the first few strums I knew from that moment on I would be bringing all my guitars there to be serviced in the future. I loved the level of service and interest they took in my business. They cared about my needs as a musician and my guitars. I am truly thankful for the pride they take in their work!
Geoff at SF Guitar Works is phenomenal at what he does. He turned my once unplayable Fender Telecaster Deluxe '72 reissue into what is now my main axe! Perfect fret-leveling and incredible setup, this guitar now plays like a dream, as promised. The action is the best I've ever encountered, and there's no fret buzz anywhere on the neck! I am happily recording an EP with it as we speak. Thanks Geoff, you can count on my business in the future!
Chode Guitarman vs. SF Guitarworks
---
(Chode Guitarman)
Keane: Can I get these tuners installed?
Chode: Dude, did you hear the new Papa Roach album?!
Keane: Huh? Uh, no... I just wanted to get these tuners installed?
Chode: They wrote another song about how tough it was growing up in Vacaville!
Keane: Yeah... They have a lot of outlets there... Look, I just want to get these tune-
Chode: My girlfriend legally changed her name to "X-tina."
---
(SF Guitarworks)
Keane: Can I get these tuners installed?
Geoff: Sure.
They do good work here, However, a big however, A few major retail 101 issues folks. One, the store isnt open when it is posted it is. I know it's normally closed on i think mondays, but there was 2 times i went by on there regular days and the store was closed. Twice. It appears the owner is barely scraping by and cant hire any more help. The poor bloke in there has 10 guitars hes working on. No wonder it takes 2 months to get a repair fixed here. There so swamped they really dont want to take the time to really get creative with your project guitar. Theres no parking either .
Ooh, I'm stoked to be the first one to review SF Guitarworks. As a guitar player of 15 years and someone who is REALLY picky about how their instrument feels, I brought my main two guitars--an Ibanez Jem and a Schecter C-Series Custom--to them before I was going into the studio to record. Both of them needed quite a bit of set-up work, and I gave him some pretty tough guidelines to work within. He told me it would be a few days, and he called me within two.
I tried them out in the shop, and wasn't really happy with one of them so he gladly said he would work on it till I was happy for no extra charge. I got a call within a day, and the guitar was indeed in fine shape.
I haven't needed any major work since then, but I will certainly only go to Geoff when I need anything done. He's a really friendly guy and from what I gather, he works on all the guitars personally and by himself. He's gotten some 'Best of the Bay' awards from the Guardian, too, so I know I'm not the only one who thinks that he's rad.
Best guitar repair shop in SF!
Geoffrey rocks -- it's clear he's an expert and knows exactly what the heck he's doing. He's there to service your guitar and that's his prime motive -- it's not about taking your money. He'll tell you exactly what you need, nothing more and nothing less.
If you or anyone needs guitar repair, this is THE PLACE to go in San Francisco. Geoffrey is personable and professional. Forget about Guitar World or whatever. GO TO GUITARWORKS and give Geoffrey your business.
So , I "discovered" this place here on Yelp despite the fact that I lived about 5 blocks from here for 4 years. Oh well, I took my $279 Takamine in here to see if they could help make it more playable. I am trying to learn to play the guitar and I stink (see my profile where I claim, I stink).
Geoff was very helpful, extremely non-judgmental all around great. He played my guitar for a minute and said he could definitely help me.
I got the guitar about 5 days later and it has been much easier to play. When I actually get proficient on the guitar I am going to buy a better one and if it also needs work I will bring it here.
these guys are very good at what they do. they are both knowledgable and helpful. I am new to guitar and dont know much, but I did know that I needed a set-up for my epiphone les paul. I asked questions that I felt were dumb and they didnt laugh, they didnt have that you-dont-know-shit mentality that you get with some "eperts." I dont know how much a standard set-up costs, but this one cost me $138 for the set-up and a broken volume button. In the end I was very happy and my guitar sounds way better than before. I will go back next time my guitar gets out of whack, for sure.
These guys are great. They did a fret level and setup, but as a novice player I wasn't really able to give much direction as to my preferences. After playing the guitar for a couple weeks I decided that I wanted a few tweaks made. When I came back in, Spencer and Geoff were both extremely accommodating and we iterated through a series of different adjustments until I ended up with something that felt really comfortable. They are a small shop so they can get backed up, but after the initial work they did everything right then and there.
My Epiphone acoustic guitar (which I'm quite fond of) had horrible intonation for the longest time and I finally decided it needed fixing. So I came upon this place after reading all the glorious yelp reviews.
They did a fabulous job with my guitar. The frets were redone and they look great. Sound is spot-on. It makes me so happy that my acoustic is back to its best days. I also brought in my Fender Strat and that's sounding better than ever. The best part was that they finished the jobs when they say they would.
Geoff and Rob are very cool people who will take good care of your instruments. Check out the guitars they have there too. Lesser known brands like the Reverends look sweet.
the only place to have guitar work done on this planet, as far as I'm concerned. awesome business. well worth the wait. they take care of my guitars pre-studio, pre-tour or whenever I totally jack something up from general mistreatment.
This place rocks! I'm originally from San Diego, and trust me I know my guitar pretty well, I was actually looking for an excellent and easy guitar to tweak almost any delay sound you need out of it. the selections here are astounding, One guitar I was looking at had two pickup volume knobs and a volume knob, with the ability to split the big humbucker. In addition to looking good, it is a pretty light guitar. The staff at the counter seems very knowlegeable, experienced, and helpful. I would come back if you need a repair, or simply starting at guitar. Almost five stars if it was closer to my place!
Awesome service!
So I want to give my ole' beaten down Harmony the love it needs (although it's my back up gitar) and I take it to Geoff and San Francisco Guitarworks for the first time, based upon my friends at Digidesign's recommendation.
It came back in great shape, plugged it in and signed off, I go to practice. But I forgot that I tune down my top E down to a D in some songs, and so there was an issue with a buzz, when I played chords in the different tuning.
I go back to the shop (and he happened to serving a customer who is Sonic Youth's guitar tech, and had this AMAZING Jag....yeah Geoff sets up Thurston's guitars...) and let him know that I forgot to tell him that I play with a drop D sometimes, and that there was a buzz. He then tooled around with my guitar until it was virtually gone, while I was there!
I mean that is triple A service!
Geoff is the guy in the SF Bay area to take guitars and basses to. I recently had him work on my Epiphone Casino, and Dot and they both play and sound much, much, much, much better than before.
Whatever you bring in, he can make it play better, and make it stay that way.
If you have any guitar luthier needs, SF Guitarworks is the only place to go.
Geoff also is upfront about when he can get your instrument done. None of this, "yeah drop it off" only to find that it hasn't been worked on in the past 3 weeks and that they'll eventually get to it, which is the experience I've had at another well known guitar luthiers in town... (OK Gary Brawers). Geoff will say when to bring it in, and then you get it back in a timely manner.
Geoff is the man. He did a great job setting up my PRS CE22 and did some tweaks after the fact to make sure I was happy with it. He's also a friendly fellow. Oh, and the stories in the email newsletter are very interesting.
ummm, great repair, horrible communication.
i hesitate with this review. on the one hand, work done on my completely f'ed up and notoriously hard to work on guitar was outstanding. Geoff was even concerned that the intonation might have ended up a bit higher than what it was before the neck cracked. in fact, the guitar actually came back in far better condition than when it went in. hands down outstanding luthier work that revived an instrument some might have consigned to the trash heap (well, probably not considering its vintage, but you get the point).
nevertheless, i have to take away marks for their customer service skills. don't get me wrong, the Geoff and the other guy at the shop were both quite friendly and engaging. Geoff gave me an estimate that i thought was a good deal and he stuck to it. i felt that i left my baby in good hands. BUT, they were completely incommunicative the whole time they had my guitar.
the two week estimate on the repair actually stretched into almost 4 months. not a big deal since i didn't actually need the instrument at the time, but NOT ONCE during the entire ordeal did they call me about my guitar. after not getting a call for a whole month, every time I CALLED THEM they told me 2 weeks. the same answer i got EVERY TWO WEEKS until they finally finished my guitar.
at one point, Geoff told me he was waiting on some hard to find lacquer because he didn't feel comfortable leaving the crack visible even though i had initially told him aesthetics were not as important as having the guitar fixed. in the end, i appreciate his attention to detail, but felt that during 4 months, they could have called me at least once. even when my guitar was finally fixed (and yes, it was fixed BEAUTIFULLY), they didn't call me. i called them and they said: "oh yeah, you're guitar's ready to be picked up."
on the plus side, he did cut me a bit of a break for taking so long, but i still have to ask, how hard would it have been to call?
Hmmm... Am I the first lady to review SF Guitarworks? Go lady guitarists, go to SF Guitarworks - much kinder environment than you will find elsewhere.
I've had a load of great work done here on a variety of guitars - set-ups, pickup installation for acoustic guitar, replacement pickups for electric and even just strap button installation. You get a quick turnaround, a phone call when the work's done (not the case some other places) and a thorough explanation of the work that was done and how to maintain it.
I don't own the most fabulous guitars because I am a pauper, but each instrument I've brought in leaves the place sounding and feeling fantastic. I get all my guitar related queries answered, and it's a real treat to talk to guys who respect the instrument so much. It's very soothing in there, like a massage parlor for guitars. I've got a batch of guitars waiting to go get healed at SF Guitarworks as funds become available. Go go go to Geoff! Buy your strings from him too!
Hi Igliashon!
As others have said, Rob and Geoff are very cool. Rob did excellent work on my p-bass. Worked according to the schedule he quoted, called with updates. High rec for every aspect of the experience.
After years of non playing....i picked up my guitars and thought, wow, this doesnt feel right. After taking my guitars in for setup, Rob got my instruments feeling better than ever before, and I was truly inspired to start playing again. Thanks to the exposure to Reverend guitars, I now have a 3rd. Brilliant guitar, brilliant setup. Brilliant shop and exactly what this city needs and true musicians need. Truth, great service, great talent and good people. Thanks.
I just got back my resonator (Thanks Rob!) and I have to say, it's really as good as everyone says it is here. They did some really nice fretwork on this guitar which I bought warts and all from Subway a year ago. The setup is fantastic and I just wanted to play the thing all night when I got it back! Seriously, it's like they found the glory of this guitar buried beneath some shoddy craftsmanship and now it's on my top tier making my electric jealous. I had never had a bad experience at Gary B's but I don't see the need to go there anymore when SF Guitarworks is so above and beyond the call of duty. The next time you need work done, just give these guys a shot and they'll impress the hell out of you. Thanks again, Geoff and Rob!!!
Never before in my life have I met a guitar repair person for whom time passes normally. For most of them, a month of their time actually equals about 3 or 4 months of my time, so when they tell me "Oh yeah, your guitar will be done next month", what they really mean is "If you call me and bug me every week, I MIGHT finish your guitar in three months. Maybe." This wouldn't be so bad if at least after those three months, the guitar was actually fixed properly to my specs...but it seldom if ever is, necessitating a trip back, more money, and more time without one of my beloved axes.
Geoff is the only exception to this that I have ever encountered. He is the first repairman I've ever met who measures time not in months but in hours, and yet somehow does an absolutely flawless job. I needed a complete rewire on one of my electrics--the electronics were totally shot, the pots and switches needed replacing, the pickups were a microphonic mess--and when I walked into his shop, I expected him to tell me "it'll be done in a month." When he told me next Tuesday, I almost laughed in his face. But sure enough: next Tuesday morning I get a call from Geoff, telling me it's ready to pick up. I couldn't believe it. Even more amazing was that the guitar sounded perfect...no hum, no microphonics, no random buzzes, no scratchy pots...just perfect. And for under $200!
In short, Geoff is now the only repairman I will ever return to. He is faster than anyone, more professional, and offers the best prices. If you need any work done on a guitar, he's the man to see.
Geoff is as good as it gets. I can't say this enough.
I was new to the city, and was nervous about trusting my Taylor with a guitar tech I didn't know. Upon first consultation, I knew my guitar was in the right hands. Geoff is the rare type of business owner that makes an effort to learn your name, clearly loves his craft, and will do whatever he can to make sure he's done the job right. This shop is a no-brainer for anyone in need of guitar work. A fair price for high quality work.
Thanks for the great setup!
Oh yeah, got my brand new, sun burst, Fender Stratocaster for 180 bucks. How bout that?
5-stars is not nearly enough. I've taken quite a few guitars to Geoff over the last 2 years....everytime I get impecable work done quickly for the right price. I've thrown Geoff a few curve balls like routing a Lollar Charlie Christian pickup in the neck position of my Tele and his work is perfect. I think his best work though is with nut jobs. The details in the angling of the slots and the curves of the shaping is just artful I recommend this place to everyone I know that needs work. My only concern is this place getting too popular and slowing things down or taking Geoff away from his work.
Geoff is passionate about guitars. If you are looking for a guitar or need one fixed he's your guy.
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