Vintage Guitar Restoration: My Philosophy
A Restoration
Restoration Consultations and Visits
Visits to the studio are by appointment. I’m happy to arrange a remote consultation if you can’t make it to Vermont. Contact me to schedule a consultation via Skype or iChat. Call me at 1-802-875-7397 or email me to begin start the restoration of your instrument.
Out of State?
Many of my customers are out of state and out of the country and they ship their instruments to me for repairs. Shipping an expensive guitar can make people nervous, but in my experience shipping an instrument is safer than taking it to an unqualified repair person. In 26 years of shipping instruments, only two have ever been damaged. In both cases it was because the customer didn’t follow the recommended packing and shipping procedure.
Shipping Your Guitar
Climate-Controlled Repair Shop
My studio contains a wide array of machinery, fixtures and tools. I’ve spent over two decades refining what I need to provide the results you hope for when you look for a luthier. From machinery like a classic Clausing vertical mill, to hand-made fixtures I designed and built myself, I have everything covered in a way that is fun for me, and provides great results. The entire facility is climate-controlled and matches the humidity levels at major manufacturing companies to provide the proper environment for stable repair, restoration and custom guitar building.
NY Newsday Mini-Documentary
Banjo and Ukulele Repair and Restoration
I am also a banjo and ukulele historian and have many parts dating back to the 1800s. I’ve repaired and restored numerous instruments using careful, historically accurate techniques and antique parts to preserve the spirit, appearance and value.
Other Fretted Instrument Repair
S.B. MacDonald Custom Instruments also offers full service repair and restoration for other fretted instruments such as mandolins, lap steels, resophonic instruments such as Dobro, National and Weissenborn Hawaiian Guitars.