ABOUT ME​

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​I've worn a LOT of hats! I inherited my mechanical abilities from both parents and honed my mechanical sensibilities over the decades through various experiences. I started turning wrenches alongside my father at a very early age, changing oil and rebuilding carburetors and lawn mower engines mounted to homemade go-carts. I repaired my and my friend's guitars without any training in that field, relying on natural abilities and instinct. I also love aviation and took a shop class in high school, where our after-school class project was a fully aerobatic experimental aircraft built over the course of two years. I worked primarily on the wings and empennage. "An airplane", you say? Yes, indeed. Our shop teacher had very high standards! After graduating, I was hired and trained at the Grove Crane manufacturing company as a welder in several different processes. I later worked in the oil fields of western Colorado, repairing oil field equipment both in a shop environment and in the field on the rigs. Throughout all this time, I also played guitar.  I resolved to become a working musician to escape the dangerous and dirty work I'd been employed in. I made it happen through hard work, dedication to my craft, and a lot of luck. It was the most gratifying feeling to make a living playing music.
 

I supplemented my income in various ways while pursuing music. I took a big leap in dedication and perseverance when I enrolled at Rice Aviation to obtain an Airframe and Powerplant license. Airplanes were my second passion, so this seemed a logical course. It was fifteen of the most grueling months of my life, as school was full-time, and I worked after school as a welder on the night shift. I graduated number one in my class and obtained my A&P license. But a funny thing happened along the way.
 

A friend was into guitar repair and exposed me to a world I never knew existed. By the time I got my A&P license, I'd subconsciously made the choice. As much as I loved aviation, guitar repair was the path forward. I started in about 1992 and have been repairing guitars professionally ever since, initially working out of my home, then taking up residence at Sandstrummer Vintage Guitars in Myrtle Beach, SC. In 1996, I relocated to Cary and spent 17 years as the luthier at Fat Sound Guitars. When they closed, I opened my current location in early 2013. By conservative estimate, I've refretted at least 5000 guitars of every description, done twice that many fret levels, and probably four times as many setups, not to mention many hundreds of neck resets and so many electronic and pickup repairs there's simply no way to calculate the number! I treat every guitar as though I own it and need to rely on it to support me. They all get my best effort!