Gryphon Stringed Instruments — Attraction in Palo Alto

I am writing this a while after having my guitar set up here. I have a Schecter Hellraiser C-1 Hybrid. It was my first "high value" guitar (certainly not as high as many others have), but for me it was a very special guitar signifying my advancement in playing. I went with Gryphon for basic setup service and to support a local business. Gryphon strings came with strong recommendations from Schecter, my guitar teacher, and various other friends/family who know the luthiers at Gryphon.

I received the guitar and found it kind of hard to play (compared to my cheaper Squire and some random knockoff guitar, both of which I was more comfortable messing with the truss rod, action etc). Being newer to guitars back then, I accepted the difficulty of play at face value, assuming that it was because I just wasn't good enough yet to understand or play after the setup. It wasn't until much, much later (and lots of relatively painful practice sessions) that I learned it was because the action of the Schecter was set extremely high. I have since learned how to do my own guitars; and received confirmation from other luthiers that whoever did my setup at Gryphon set the action too high. Everyone likes their action a bit differently, but it was so high for me I could barely play without pain.

So I want to put this out there, your experience at Gryphon strings varies extremely widely with whoever works on your guitar.

This was extremely frustrating because I was newer to guitars back then and really "didn't know any better", trusted the expert team at Gryphon, and was let down. I doubted my ability to keep the guitar and be able to play it to the point where I was considering reselling it when the problem was that it was just not set up properly.

I spent about $300 here including the setup (bought case, bought strings etc. to support...

I am a musician and promoter who has have with several rock stars over the years. While I’m on the other side of the country I simply had to make a comment here and base my review upon the remarks the owner made recently in regards to an incident that took place involving an employee who went off the rails and verbally attacked and slandered/libeled a 75 year old Jewish man for simply wearing a hat she didn’t agree with. Not the kind of employee anyone should want nor keep on the payroll. I applaud the owner’s decision and as a musician, his words about how music should bring us together as I know it certainly does. I judge no one, only their actions. In this case the actions spoke volumes and I hope (seriously) that this young lady finds the mental help she obviously needs, possibly returns to take some basic junior high history courses, maybe talk to people who have lived under actual oppressive regimes and have lost loved ones in the Holocaust, under dictators, under communist rule, etc. Ironically, she was able to go on her tirade of hate and false accusations against a Jewish senior citizen enjoying a quiet cup of coffee BECAUSE she is in America, the country she seems to loathe as much as herself. Thank you again sir, I have MANY musician friends in your area and I KNOW several of them are going to be checking out the selection soon and are also moved (BOTH liberals and conservatives I may add) that seek out and support stores with integrity and common sense. A big five star review from me. If I come out your way I will certainly make sure to add Gryphon Strings to my shopping list for all...

This is the place! Bring your tired, poor or hungry guitars, basses, mandolins, ukuleles, or whatever stringed instruments you own. The incredible staff will fix, improve or otherwise upgrade your axe and get it playing and performing its best! Great rates! The knowledgeable staff makes the internet seem like a pamphlet!

Anecdote #1 My rare and strange baritone acoustic guitar had perennial tuning problems as I played further up the neck. I spent 20 minutes with a Gryphon tech and a few new strings and a small adjustment was all I needed. It feels and plays like a new guitar now! The total cost, about eight bucks for the strings.

Anecdote #2 My genuine fake-from-China Hofner Bass (looks like a Beatle bass) had worked for about three gigs before it had some major problems with what sounded like both pick-ups, one of the knobs and two of the switches. I took it in to Gryphon for an estimate. I was expecting either complete electric rebuild ($700-$800 dollars) and replacing the pick-ups ($100-$200 each). Imagine my surprise when only a few inexpensive parts were needed to make a $100 fix. They also adjusted the bridge and eliminated a tuning problem for no additional charge. My genuine fake-from-China Hofner now plays beautifully and sounds excellent.

Conclusion: RUN! Don't walk to Gryphon with your gently used instrument(s) for a check up. And check out all the cool instruments and accessories they carry for rock...