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February 2024 by Craig L.
Took my guitar in to get it set up. Got it back on the earlier side, which was great. They did the extra fret work we talked about it possible needing. Now it plays like a dream. I keep picking it up, because its so enjoyable to play. Thank you so much
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December 2023 by Cup A Joe C.
INCREDIBLY quick repair job (1 day after an estimate os possibly 3 weeks), but I just noticed the evening after that after paying $269 for a full rewire on 2 humbuckers , which included "deluxe resting" @ $50 , that the screws on my back humbucker are only held on by one screw just barely and the other 2 remaining screw are even making contact with the guitar at all with the 4th hole having no screw . I'm not saying the shop it self did that as i had done some jury rig didn't care type repairs on it my self previously (although i don't recall the screws being that bad but maybe they were. . But what irritates me about that is after noticing that I'm thinking to my self " really ? I paid you near $300 for a repair and your not even willing to throw in a couple longer screw , or at least even point that out to me ? I don't know , maybe they thought i was aware of that , but if i were doing the repairs i would have at least put in longer crews or mentioned it needed them . Not the end of the world , just a little irritating after paying a good amount of money for a full rewire , ect.
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February 2023 by Michael H.
These guys are the absolute BEST! I have taken many guitars here for setups. I used to do these myself, but these guys get them to play so much better. They also rebuilt an old touring guitar for me; '83 Gibson SG Firebrand. I beat the piss out of this guitar since 1985 when I bought it. It needed a rewire, pick guard, fret level, new bridge and tailpiece, clearcoat revive and a bunch of other things. This guitar is now back at the top of my rotation. Not only did they sort out the only sentimental guitar in my collection, but having them do a ground up resto job on it, it plays better than most of Strats, Teles and other Gibsons (some of which I paid over $3k for!). What an absolute pleasure it is to do business with Eastside Guitar!
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August 2022 by Joseph S.
I had high hopes and expectations after reading so many outstanding detailed comments about Ryan and Christian's work however after my experiences with them I have lost both my trust in their and ability to work with me as well as their ability to do the work as agreed upon. I brought my Sire H7 in to have the ledge where the nut sits repaired as it appeared to be crushed or malformed from the factory. Additionally I wanted to have a new nut cut. As the neck on this guitar is quite narrow at the nut I asked if Ryan if he felt there was room to increase the string spacing as some chords are crowded and difficult to fret. After a brief inspection he pointed out that the frets bevel had an unusually long taper and it would most likely lead to the strings slipping off. Knowing that the bevel was longer I agreed with his assessment and said that the original spacing of the stock nut would be fine. He wrote up a ticket and gave me a pick up date of one month later with the possibility of it getting done earlier. After a month and a day beyond the promise date I hadn't heard from Eastside. I called to see if the guitar was finished and spoke with Christian who, after talking to Ryan told me that they had been busy but will get my job started and I should be able to pick it up the next day Sat. or the Next Tuesday. I got a call back later that day stating the job was done a I could schedule a pickup time. When I arrived to pick up my guitar I was almost in shock to see that the nut they cut had an even narrower spacing than the stock nut. After pointing out the mistake Christian immediately became defensive and began arguing with me defending the work. I showed him how with the strings being that closely spaced I couldn't play certain chords without my fingers muting the next string simply due to finger size alone and I have skinny fingers to begin with. He insisted I sit down and provided a stool see if the poorly cut nut would work better??? In what world does this make sense? "Mr Van Halen, your tapping a little too hard for how we set your guitar up. Here's a chair, try sitting down when you do the tapping parts" " Mr Gilbert, try not to pick so hard. Your fret buzz stems from excessive picking force". ? The next argument they presented in their case was how my guitar is flawed and "in many ways"? stating it was near impossible to work with. Christian was literally portraying himself as traumatized from the couple hrs he spent working on my guitar. When I asked him to clarify, Ryan intervened and shut down my question with a new point of discussion. Ultimately I had to hold the stock nut up to the one they cut to get them to see it and put an end to their arguing with me. At that point, honestly, I just wanted to pay them, grab my "crappy" guitar and leave. Ryan came back up to the counter and told me Christian would cut a new nut to the same spec as the stock one and they would call me as soon as it's done. I get a call later that day and went in to pick it up. Christian presented my guitar to inspect. Instead of cutting the nut to the stock spacing as Ryan told him to and as we had for a second time agreed upon, Christian this time, cut it wider and with the heights varying from string to string with the A being the most noticeable as it dips quite a bit lower and G and E strings are a little high additionally there is a gap between the nut and fret board now so I have to question the ledge work Ryan did as it should be a 90* pocket and flush against the fret board The reason I wouldn't take take my instruments there going forward is there lack of humility and lack of accountability. This shouldn't have been the big deal that they made it and I was almost in shock to see this kind of response from Luthiers who enjoy such a excellent reputation. I don't understand why they responded the way they did but I'm glad to be done with Eastside Repair
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September 2021 by Dan R.
I've only been playing bass five years, not in public, but I felt the two guys at Eastside treated me with the same attention they would for a professional, and gave me some good advice. When I took the bass in, they said it would be around two weeks, and it was only 1! I did have to go take a walk for half an hour--which there on Hawthorne meant a slice and a visit to Powell's--so no big. And they had a few beautiful guitars for sale, including a Gibson Hummingbird.
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June 2021 by Matthew Bradley
great job Eastside Guitar Repair! got my L.P. back after cracking the headstock. Looks and plays amazing
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April 2021 by Paul Krause
Just got my mando back from Ryan. He did a tremendous job, exceeding my expectations completely. I will be taking my Martin in next. Looks like I found a go-to luthier!
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January 2021 by Keith Wilson
December 23, 2020
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September 2020 by Sting R.
I'm thankful & supportive of any local businesses that have weathered this social & financial storm. But am extremely grateful for Ryan & the team. Thanks for setting up my Rainsong!!!The new strings feel great with lower action & No Buzz!!
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July 2020 by Olivia K.
I had a fantastic experience here at East Side guitar repair! The person helping me was super knowledgable about my guitar when I needed a string replaced. He was able to adjust my neck so that my low E string stopped buzzing and stretched out my new strings so they stayed in tune and didn't pop when I use crazy tunings. The great service was affordable and I will definitely be coming back next time I need help with my guitar.
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March 2020 by Jamie Byrum
Just got my guitar back after a refret and new nut and I couldn't be happier! Highly recommend Eastside Guitar Repair
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January 2020 by Paul N.
Had the pleasure of dropping into the shop last week to repair a loose strap-holder/amp input. Was impressed with the very cool vintage equipment, but even more impressed by the prompt kind service to get me on my way. A very cool shop and cool dude running it!
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December 2019 by SergeantMajor C.
Let Ryan and team work on your guitar. I am new to Portland and not new to how a guitar should play, Eastside Guitar repair is my choice hands down. I've tried to other local guitar repair shops with great reviews and came away moderately satisfied. No need to mention who they are because the do good work and possibly great work. I just knew the work could have been better as well as the customer service. What sets Ryan and team apart? Attention detail, listens to the customer, great advice and delivers on time with wonderful work. I have a 1943-44 Martin 000-18 bought new by my Uncle and given to me years ago. It needed lots of work over the years and never felt or sounded right to me. Had a very well known luthier recommended by Martin do some major work on it and it still didn't play right. Ryan had Christian do whatever magic they did and it is the best it has ever sounded or played! I was thinking of buying another Martin. No need. This gem is all need now Thanks Christian and Ryan. Ryan also set-up and cut a new bone nut for my Telecaster and it is just a joy to play. I had it set-up at other shops and they again did OK but not as good as Ryan. Besides being luthiers and guitar techs, these experts are good guitar players which I think makes a difference too. My shop from now on!
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October 2019 by Jeremiah Hahn
Knowledgeable and friendly guy with great work and fair prices.
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July 2019 by Yolanda Hayes
Brought my daughter yumari here they had everything she needed for her guitar
