Bernunzio Uptown Music — Attraction in City of Rochester

I purchased an Eastman T64/v and upon receipt I found a problem in the varnish finish. In discussions with Eastman and Bernunzio Uptown Music I have found that there is an inherent problem with the varnish finish. You should know they are recommending a repair but they don’t want to stand behind it if it doesn’t work. They also don’t want to pay shipping if I decide to return it, even though it is an inherent issue. Sad!

Here are some quotes from emails with Sam Snyder of Bernunzio and Mark Herring with Eastman. They basically admit to the issue but it is not in any of their literature or videos:

8/9/2022 email from Sam Snyder with Bernunzio Uptown Music.

“That to me, looks like the varnish began to disagree with the temperature / climate.”

8/12/2022 email from Sam Snyder with Bernunzio Uptown Music. Mark is Mark Herring of Eastman.

“As Mark and I both had mentioned, with varnish finishes, this is just simply par for the course, again, a positive and a negative about the finishes malleability.”

8/9/2022 email from Mark Herring with Eastman.

“His (Sam Snyder) assessment that the discoloration of the varnish due to heat is spot-on.” and “I can also share a bit of personal advice as well. I too have a T64/v-T-GB and brought it home on an extremely hot day where it sat in LA traffic in my non-air conditioned Jeep. When I got it home I discovered that the back of the neck had interacted with the inside of the case in the same manner that you have described.”

Neither Bernunzio Uptown Music or Eastman are willing to stand behind this...

Turned a simple saddle replacement into a nightmare. I asked them to return the guitar without strings and it was returned to me with strings that I was then charged for. The saddle was leaning forward noticeably and so I decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to get the strings off and have a look/restring it. I took the strings off and noticed that the saddle was not even glued into place. It fell right out. I noticed it was also shimmed by something underneath which seems cheap given they also shaved the saddle down to what was supposed to the perfect size (and apparently were not willing to try again with a new one after shaving this one too small). Strings are put on after the saddle is installed so the technician can measure the height of the strings/action. They can then take the strings off, adjust the saddle or action, then reinstall them and check again until the perfect height is reached. My guess is he strung it once after fitting the saddle in order to do some preliminary testing and got a decent sound out of it so just left it as is and called the job completed. Not happy with the job whatsoever after paying nearly 100 or more for it and being quoted around 60. I'm not recommending this place to anyone in need of actual repairs or technical support and I will not be going back for any reason myself. I will find a new music shop. I had to glue the...

I had a great experience purchasing a guitar for my wife here. I came into the store with my 8 year old daughter. I shopped around a few other local stores with her and the experience was stressful because the salesman all seemed to cringed as my daughter walked around the store thinking she may break something.(I get it, the last thing anyone wants is to see guitar domino's because of some rambunctious kid) But the gentleman at Bernunzio's seemed absolutely fine having her in the store and even gave her a Ukulele to play with. Another thing I find at a lot of music shops is this sense of "music snobbery". I grew up around guitars and have been playing for many years, but there are still a lot of things I do not know. Because I was buying for my wife and it was an important purchase for us, I had a lot of questions that probably come across as elementary. The gentleman that assisted me could not have been more helpful and patient (especially given the fact that I am a horrible person and I came in right before closing time).He was so gracious and knowledgeable that I assumed he was the owner (he wasn't). This shop just has the feel of a guitar players guitar shop. Great guitars, expert and friendly staff, decent pricing, and a cool...