Lion's Will Music Shop — Local services in City of Hornell

In 2002, I purchased an 89' Epi Flying V from a pretty reputable shop about an hour from my home. Testing it out in the shop, it seemed to be fine. Once I got it home, however, once the volume was up a little, there were serious buzzing issues. I popped off the pickguard and found that the entire electronics unit was wired using about 15 feet of heavy gauge speaker wire. Admittedly, I'm not well-versed in guitar electronics, so I just lived with it for a couple of years. Throughout those two years, I also found that the intonation was a mess, I couldn't get the action right no matter what I did, and while it was fitted with a Floyd Rose, it wasn't fitted correctly, so the bridge didn't fit right on the posts. Over the next few years, a couple of people looked at it, but it was never any better, so in 2009 I put it in the case and laid it to rest under my bed. Last year, my son saw a picture of a V and said he'd love to see one of those. I showed him mine and it broke my heart to see the disappointment in his face when I told him it wasn't playable

I attempted to work on it myself, but once I took a look inside, I saw that whoever looked at it last simply twisted the wires together and all of them had come apart. This is when I called the pros.

I contacted Brian and told him what was going on. He said just bring it down exactly as it sits, so I bagged up the parts and headed over. After only a couple of minutes speaking with Brian and Dale, it was clear that they sincerely cared and wanted to help. They understood that guitars are more than just instruments.

Brian asked many detailed questions to ensure that I was getting it set exactly how I wanted, and I had asked for quite a bit. The guitar has a Bill Lawrence pickup installed at the neck, but I never use the neck pickups. I asked that the BL pickup be installed at the bridge, with the other pickup at the neck be used as just a dummy pickup. I also asked that the three-way switched be converted to a kills-witch so that I could pull off that Tom Morello stuff. Brian took detailed notes and Dale helped me clarify exactly what I was looking for. I also explained that the way the bridge was installed and because of the body thickness, the floyd rose can only perform dives.

When I got the call that it was ready, I let them know that it would be a little bit until I could get down there because of long work hours and kid sports practices. Brian was completely understanding and more than willing to accommodate.

I picked it up a couple of weeks after it was done (which again, is very generous of them), and when I took a look at it I was shocked. Not only did they wire the guitar exactly like I requested, they had completely re-built the guitar! It looked as new as it possibly could for a guitar that age. The price I paid was more than fair. I've paid more at other shops for far less work than what the tech at Lion's Will accomplished. Remember a moment ago when I wrote that the rose was a hard-tail? Well, the tech also fixed that and I can freely use the rose bridge trem now.

It's now been just over a month and I've been playing the guitar every day. The action is perfect, the intonation is spot on, the frets and fretboard are spotless and perfectly oiled, the rose is stable and stiff enough as to not move when I lay my palm on it, and it just plays like a dream.

Lion's Will took in a guitar that I never thought I'd play again and handed me back a guitar that I play more than any other guitar in my collection! These guys are miracle workers.

Lastly, it's just a blast to be there. It's one of the last guitar shops that truly feels like a guitar shop. There's memorabilia all over the walls, Dale (usually at the counter), knows his stuff and is happy to just sit and chat, as well as give very sound advice on gear and prepping for gigs. Interactions with Brian are always pleasant and he's more than happy to listen to needs and give the right advice. They understand that choosing an instrument is a very personal choice. It's an extension of...

This is a gem of a place. I go nowhere else for any of my work. As a bass player. These guys always get me set up for the absolute best my bass guitars can be.

I have had a higher end electric guitar set up here with the same quality work. I've had a boutique tube amp repaired by these guys and it came back better than expected.

The service here is always top notch. Forget the chain stores, get you some personal friendly service from people that actually play instruments.

I cannot recommend this shop enough. I point everyone...

Highly HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! This is the most perfect business in Hornell I have no cons about this business what so ever. The guys are always so so kind when I go in it’s not very often but I go in for clarinet reeds and wipes for my Clarinet and both of them are so so kind and polite. I always feel so welcome in this store I always end up staying talking when I plan on grabbing like one thing. All businesses should have this service 10...