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October 2023 by Kablooey
Finding a good luthier is a grind for sure. I know if you're reading these reviews its because you're serious about finding someone where you don't have to worry. Mark is the real deal. If you care about your guitars and need to know the work is going to be done right, this is the one. He's also just a friendly, cool, super knowledgeable guy. m/
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August 2023 by Tim Chan
Mark is fantastic. I am new to playing guitars, having only picked up bass guitar in January, but he was super friendly and knowledgeable, explaining the changes he would be making to it, and it played like a dream afterwards. I have been recommending him to friends who need a luthier, and I will always be coming here every time I need a tuneup on my guitars.
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June 2023 by Rob Fekete
I own 15 guitars and I have taken five of them to Mark for set up, re-fret, and builds and I cannot say enough! In fact, he is now the only luthier I will bring my guitars to in the Raleigh area. He’s personable, exceptionally knowledgeable, military friendly, and an all around stand up guy. I cannot recommend him enough!
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January 2023 by Alex Brissette
Just got the frets and nut on my Strat replaced after 20 years, and I think it sounds and plays better than when I first got it. Mark's a really nice guy too, and super knowledgeable.
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January 2023 by Scott H.
Mark is by far the most competent, knowledgeable and professional luthier I’ve ever met…he has many years of experience in the industry as well as advanced training with the best of the best guitar manufacturers…namely Martin, among others, and I’ve seen him take acoustics i had largely gave up on playing and make them a whole new guitar again… I’ve entrusted him with many of my guitars and the work he does always exceeds expectations…highly, highly recommend!!!
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January 2023 by Matt Davis
I hate to give 5 stars here, only because there aren’t six. Mark is an outstanding luthier and a on top of that is just a fantastic person! You won’t be sad you chose Mark for all your guitar work needs.
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October 2022 by Stephen Gillespie
Mark's worked on several of my guitars, and has been great to work with each time. Knowledgable and honest. The work he's done has been worth worth the time and cost every time.
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October 2022 by Nacy McConnell
A true craftsman, Mark is both knowledgeable and patient with his customers. I highly recommend him for guitar set-up and repair.
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May 2022 by Simon Spire
Exceptional expertise, care, communication, and results. My limited edition Taylor has been fully restored to pristine playability after 19 years of wear and tear, and I feel more informed than ever about the intricacies of my guitar. Thank you, Mark!
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May 2022 by Joshua Woods
I brought Mark my 1950 Gibson L-50 that I was gifted a few years back. The guitar is in great shape for its age, but it was in need of some love to get it sounding really great again and Mark has definitely gotten it back into tip-top shape. The initial evaluation was very informative and Mark did a great job explaining what he saw as needing work and what he planned to do fix those issues. I left feeling very comfortable with the work he planned to do because he had given such great detail about what would be involved and how each change would improve the playability/sound. He also maintained period correctness with everything he could, which I very much appreciate. I picked the guitar up today and am delighted to report that everything had been addressed and the guitar now plays as great as it looks. The work was definitely done with care and experience. I'm blown away by how much brighter it sounds now and how much the playability improved with the work to the nut and frets. I highly recommend Mark, especially for higher-end/vintage instruments that deserve a true luthier.
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March 2022 by Brian Spehar
I decided to let the excitement wear off a little before posting a review, but I'll be honest, the excitement might never wear off.I took 3 guitars to Fretking. One in particular is my first "real" guitar I purchased in 1998. It was originally sent to a large music store to be Pleked and setup. When I got it back, I had horrible fret buzz which was not anticipated. I then took this guitar to Mark. After I got it back, it was absolutely the best this guitar has ever played. No horrible buzz, action set perfectly across the entire board, and just an absolute blast to play.The other 2 guitars I took in he custom made a bone nut (the originals were plastic) and leveled and recrowned some of the frets. These guitars are also just fantastic to play now. I don't feel like I'm fighting with my instruments.If you want an experienced luthier that will take care of your instruments like they are his own, listens to his customers, and is extremely transparent, look no further than Fretking. Mark understands that your guitars are a very personal item, and he ensures that your experience will be the best it can possibly be with your instrument. It's an hour and a half drive for me to get there, and I'd honestly not let anyone else touch my instruments at this point.
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November 2021 by Russell Casavant
Mark set up a vintage 335 and a 50th Anniversary Stratocaster for me. He did a great job! Both guitars are better than ever! So friendly and informative. Total professional. I highly recommend him.
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November 2021 by Judson Hair
Mark has worked on my acoustics for over 10 years and he has always done a super thorough and professional job. He’s done two neck re-sets, made bone nuts and saddle, installed pick-ups. As a certified Martin Tech, he went to bat for me when my new Martin D-18 needed a neck reset and Martin agreed to let a Mark do the work under warranty with absolutely no cost to me! I’ve yet to have anything but an excellent experience with Mark Kane.
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August 2021 by Benjamin Huffman
The FretKing is incredibly knowledgeable and very willing to answer questions and assist with your guitar repair needs. Would definitely recommend! — 10/10 experience
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July 2021 by Sami Mardam-Bey
Great work. Neck reset, partial refret and new nut. My Taylor again plays like butter and feels like a new guitar.
