Sloan Guitar Works

Quick Note: I now accept Visa, Master Card, Discovery, and American Express! And don't forget my toll free number - 888.664.2879

Finally decided to take some time away from the shop to add a couple new posts. Be sure to check out the 1931 Martin job and the Banjo too.

I Love Working on and Building Guitars!! I've been repairing, building, customizing, and modifying guitars for years. I started playing guitar at the age of 5 and learned how to break guitars soon after, however, it took several years, several schools, and many hours at the bench to learn how to fix them!

I own Sloan Guitar Works and my shop is located on the south east end of Lake Freeman. I love to make bad guitars good, good guitars great, and great guitars, well, I play them and change nothing! I have played professionally for over 40 years and I am very particular about my instruments. I take that fanatic perfectionism a step further when working on someone's guitar because I am honored that you trust me with your instrument and nothing is more satisfying to me than to see a client thrilled with the work I've done. I remember how I felt after I had an expert set up my 1969 Les Paul. It was less than a year old and I thought, why would I need anyone to do anything to this guitar, it's perfect! Well, apparently I didn't know yet exactly what perfect was because when I got it back it played like the strings were butter.

So,  at this blog you can see some of the work I'm doing on my client's guitars. I like to share what I've learned over the years and help people understand how important it is that your instrument is set up to play the best it can possibly play. Even if you have a cheap guitar it can probably be made to play more easily and sound better. For relatively little cost, a good repairman or guitar technician can do a complete setup and correct some of the problems normally found in new guitars, particularly in inexpensive guitars.

What differences do you find between really expensive guitars and one that is, well, cheap? I prefer guitars made in the USA but that's not just a preference based on quality. I believe in supporting American industry, however not all US made guitars are that great right out of the box or off the shelf. I grabbed a brand new $2500 PRS off the rack at a music store the other day that played like a cheap Hohner. The set up was awful. The strings were about a half an inch off the neck! So, just because you pay a lot for a guitar, don't assume it's ready for prime time!

There are many very well made guitars these days coming from Korea, Mexico, and China. Those are the ones you'll find from $300 to $600. These can be very finely constructed but may be made with cheaper less than perfect woods or faux flaming maple and burls, but those are just cosmetic problems, you still may have a really good guitar. The problem though, and this is most common in Korean and Chinese guitars, the frets aren't level, the neck may not be straight, intonation is off, and the nut is cut way too high. That guitar though, for less than $100 in the hands of a good luthier can be made to play like a guitar three times it's price. It seems in those factories in Asia and Mexico they can whip out a fine looking guitar with good components, but they don't have the time to do the more difficult and time consuming part of setting it up well. A machine just can't do that. It takes a skilled craftsman a couple hours to do it right. I've been through most of the guitar factories in North America and believe me, they don't have the time to do it either. That's why every guitar off the rack plays a little differently than the exact same guitar hanging right beside it.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I plan to keep it fresh and packed with interesting information. If you would like for me to look at your guitar and see what I can do to improve it's playability, or, maybe you got a new guitar for Christmas or a birthday and you want to get started on the right foot, please give me a call or send an email to mark@sloanguitarworks.com Call from anywhere Toll Free - 888-664-2879 or send an email.

Also, please call and ask about our pick up point in Lafayette. For large jobs I will be glad to pick up your guitar at your home or business anywhere in Tippicanoe, Carroll, White and Benton County. Other areas as well, so please ask about this service when you call.

I welcome Feedback or questions about anything relating to the health, care, modification, or creation of guitars! Feel free to join or start a discussion using the "Feedback form" found on all posts.

1985 Gibson Explorer - Refret Job

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