St Paul Guitar Repair — Attraction in Saint Paul

I've hesitated to post this because I don't generally care to air my frustrations in a public forum like this, but I feel that this needs to be said. I recently brought my built-to-order classical guitar to this shop for some fret work. Very nice folks. Seemed knowledgeable. However, I've never had a guitar treated so badly by a shop. When rounding the sprouting fret ends, apparently the tech slipped with the file--there's a rash and small dent on the side/back of the neck. Also, when changing the strings, the tech didn't protect the soundboard. This is a cedar sound board with a very thin, hand-rubbed lacquer finish (quite fragile). When you change strings on ANY nylon string guitar, you MUST protect the soundboard, and that's especially true with an instrument like this--these strings have sharp ends that can very easily scratch when tying knots, etc. When I change strings myself, I tack a piece of cardboard down on the back side of the bridge with a few pieces of painter's tape (ALWAYS--and this is standard procedure among knowledgeable luthiers). This guitar was not pristine; it had a few nicks and dings. But that area of the soundboard WAS pristine when I dropped it off--in fact, this was a point of pride for me. When I got the guitar back, I found the area along the bridge to have small scratches and small gouges/dents--not major damage, but quite noticeable. There's absolutely no excuse for this. I'd been hesitating to bring this guitar in for repairs for some time because I couldn't find a shop I trusted. These folks got such great reviews here--and they were recommended to me by people I respect--so I took a chance. Disappointed doesn't begin to describe how I feel; furious is much closer to the mark. Some of the lighter scratches will buff out, but the dents/gouges will be there for the life of...

Some years ago I bought an Alvarez classical guitar by Kazuo Yairi. I played it for about six months and then kids, work and the rest of life got in the way. A couple of years ago I pulled it out of the closet. As a former reeds player and a piano player I can appreciate a good instrument and thought I had one. But, I was having a lot of trouble with stopping strings, pull-offs, hammer-ons, strings buzzing against my fingers, and strings squeaking during position shifts. I just assumed I was the problem and more practice was the answer A friend thought the strings looked a little high, so I took it to St. Paul Guitar where Ron immediately diagnosed problems with the finger board and frets as well as string height. When I got it back I couldn't believe it was the same instrument. All those problems had virtually disappeared and the most difficult passages I was playing became so much easier. As a woodworker and musician I really appreciate what Ron has done. If I ever switch guitars I will take the new guitar to Ron for a diagnosis before buying.. The only downside; I now need a new set of excuses for any deficiencies...

I'm absolutely so thankful that I happened to find this place when needing to get a few things repaired/set-up on my Martin (including a crack on the top of the guitar and re-installation of the audio jack). Michele welcomed me so warmly into the shop, and I really appreciated how she talked with me about what needed to be done (I have been used to being talked down to by those who I'd gone to in the past). I left the shop feeling really confident that I made the right choice to leave my guitar in their care.

Less than a week later, I got the call saying my repair was done. I'm amazed at how wonderful a job Michele did, and I'm SO thankful that I brought my guitar here instead of trying to go to Guitar Center (which is where I've gone in the past... I won't ever be going back for guitar repair).

Excellent work, a very exceptional price (especially with all that was included within it), and amazing turn-around without sacrificing quality work.

Forever grateful, will definitely be recommending to everyone I know, and will definitely come back when...