Fuller's Guitar — Local services in Houston

A previous visit 2 years ago was good, when Yano was running the repair department. Today I returned with the same guitar he had worked on for me, (1969 Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville, aka 6120 DC).

Bright original color, no fading, and no binding rot. It is missing the dial up mute, but that is how I purchased it 3 years ago.

Original case, with the name of the brand inscribed on it. Left it alone. The work performed by Yano was to replace the severely worn pickup covers with new ones purchased from TV Jones directly.

The person inspecting my dream guitar (which I never in a million years thought I would have to part with, asked how much I wanted.

Now I’d seen earlier and later examples of this model in the low $4,000s with fading and binding rot requiring work.

But with a missing mute system (easily replaced) and the original pickup covers in the case left by Yano, I requested an extremely reasonable $2,500.

It looks like it should, plays and sounds like it should, the person excused themselves, came back and said they couldn’t pay the extremely reasonable $2,500 I was asking.

I inquired how much could they offer? And was told they weren’t interested in it at all. Nothing had changed from the time Yano worked on it declaring everything original except of course the new TVJ covers. But that was alright because the faded worn originals were still there and could be put back.

But this individual wearing an ineffective and useless mask, hair to their waist, what appeared to be makeup under the mask, was giving off vibes they were uncomfortable with me.

Perhaps it was my male persona, US Army cap and ring I wear proudly as a veteran. But this individual was not having any of it. Nor were they interested in an original series “Player’s Strat” from Mexico in red stain, gold hardware and Fender Customer Shop 69 pickups.

I had changed the neck to after market with my preferred profile shape by a student luthier in the Houston area, who kept the original as partial payment. He had done a poor job refinishing the neck but that’s nothing that can’t be easily done.

Included hard case and all case candy. Again not interested.

Brought a 2009 LE Ibanez bass with active electronics, all gold hardware, and exotic wood materials. I knew the original owner, was with him as he bought it. Paid $950 plus tax, but then left it sit in his garage, uncovered for the past 15 years.

Original strings, original electronic operating instructions overlay all intact. One flaw: needs a $25 battery compartment door. Ibanez gave me the part number said I could order it from them.

The apparently woke individual who barely spoke 3 words to me, appeared triggered by my military pride of service, and refused everything.

Thirty years ago this was a much better store. Today I wouldn’t recommend them for a string change, much less making a purchase. Am glad now, in 30 years I never have, and can now add never will.

Guess it happened because it’s “pride month”. Remember, don’t support business who don’t support American values.

There are other options around the country, show them you know you have choice and it doesn’t have to be here.

No wonder Yano seems to have left and is doing...

If i could put 10 stars I would. First off, i am a guitar collector so i own and buy more guitars than i will ever need. I enjoy buying online because lots of times the big retail chain music stores don't have all options in stock. So i prefer to buy guitars online because of the model options. But I buy based on the online pictures because I buy my guitars based on the wood grain patterns (its my guitar OCD, Lol) i already know the guitar im hunting for is going to be a quality instrument so i dont need to play it before i buy it, i already know the feel and action is something I can set up on my own, so i buy based on the wood grain pattern, i love a nice wood grain pattern. Anyway, there was one particular Eastman acoustic that I wanted and I called the shop somewhere out in PA to confirm the guitar on the pictures online was going to be the exact same guitar i would be purchasing and they confirmed that it would be but it turns out that it wasn't the exact guitar. (the wood grain told me. Lol) so they refunded my money (no problems with the refund but the whole experience was not professional and a waste of time) , lucky for me Fuller's had recently posted pictures of the exact same model, a Eastman E1SS-SB slope shoulder dreadnought on their website complete with serial number and detailed pictures. I contacted Fuller's, ordered it, Sparky confirmed i was going to get the exact guitar i wanted with serial number confirmation, sent me the bill and made the process super easy and it arrived super fast. it took longer to get my refund from the PA shop. anyway... Fuller's has it together for anyone out of state shopping online and i highly recommend Fuller's! I will definitely order from them again! Shout out to Sparky for a sweet online gear...

We had an incredible experience at Fuller’s Guitar in Houston. My son was buying his first guitar and Bubba, Howie, and Eric were a wonderful help. First of all, they answered so many questions over the phone for us before we ever walked into the store. Once we realized they had the guitar my son wanted, they held it for us while we drove down to look at it. Once we got there they had it waiting for us, but they also showed us a few other guitars they thought he might like to look at as well. Bubba was extremely patient and helpful explaining the characteristics of each guitar. He was so informative and we really appreciated him sharing his expertise. Once my son made his decision the guys celebrated with him and made him feel like a rock star. Howie prepared the guitar and made my son even more excited about his first guitar purchase by complimenting his choice and teaching him a few things about it. Eric was fantastic to work with too. He answered so many questions and explained registering the guitar. The guys even gave him a set of new strings and a Fuller’s Vintage Guitar T-shirt! All I can tell you is that I wish every store in America had the customer service Fuller’s Guitar has. Truly it was refreshing and so appreciated to experience outstanding service like we did at Fuller’s. I just loved their generosity and kindness and how they celebrated with my son in his first guitar purchase. Thank you Fuller’s! We are grateful for you and we are...