I worked on a Kent farm for six weeks as a hop picker to buy my first professional guitar – an Epiphone Texan advertised in melody Maker that cost the huge sum of £78. Unfortunately there was no money left over for a padded case, and in my rush to take it over to Queensway and show it to my mentor Alexis Korner, I slipped and dropped it on the pavement, smashing in the front. Alexis, bless him knew an old Polish guitar maker in Ealing who was able to repair my Texan and made it good as new. Forty years later, my trusty Larivee P-01 parlor guitar is literally falling apart at the seams and will soon need major surgery.

Learning music is a journey filled with memorable moments and cherished instruments. Just like how a young Graham Parker worked on a Kent farm to afford his first professional guitar, the world of music offers opportunities for beginners and seasoned guitar players alike to embark on their musical quests. Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or looking to upgrade, finding the right instrument can be a transformative experience. From affordable models suitable for beginners to exquisite guitars that captivate seasoned players, the world of music welcomes all who seek to express themselves through its timeless melodies.

As you cherish the memories and history behind your guitars, it’s also essential to explore the world of different guitar tunings. Just as your Texan guitar underwent expert repair, understanding how to tune your guitars in various ways can open up new horizons of creativity and sound. Different guitar tunings can transform your playing style and musical expression, allowing you to breathe fresh life into your instruments, much like the repair that revitalized your cherished Texan. Embrace the versatility of guitar tunings to ensure that your Larivee P-01 parlor guitar continues to be a source of inspiration for years to come.

Every guitarist knows the deep connection that forms between themselves and their instrument. It becomes an extension of their being, carrying their emotions and musical expressions with each strum. Like a trusted companion, we cherish our guitars and long to play them for as long as possible, coaxing out their unique tones and melodies. We invest time and effort in their maintenance, ensuring they remain in optimal condition. For some, the love for guitars goes beyond just playing them; it extends to preserving the rich history and craftsmanship of vintage instruments. These collectors meticulously seek out rare and iconic guitars, safeguarding their heritage and ensuring that future generations can appreciate their timeless beauty. With Guitar Picks by Iron Age, renowned for their commitment to quality and attention to detail, both guitarists and collectors can find solace knowing that their cherished instruments are treated with the utmost care and respect, allowing them to continue captivating hearts and souls for years to come. They understand that these instruments are not mere objects but vessels of artistic legacy.

So who, I wondered, would my friends on Twitter recommend as today’s repair experts in the UK? Here, in no particular order, are the suggestions that came in….

GRAHAM PARKER LUTHIER in Lewisham, London
http://grahamparkerluthier.com/gpl-guitar-repairs/guitar-repairs-london
suggested by @TijuanaLondon “A top professional and lovely chap.”

LA GUITARS in Barnet, North London
http://lastrings.co.uk
@conniptions says: “ace in every conceivable way”

RED BARN – Essex/Suffolk border near Sudbury
http://www.facebook.com/redbarnrepairs/info
@manicminormusic: “Red Barn (specifically James Payze) is a Star, end of…”

DAVE WILSON in Haltwhistle, Northumberland
http://dwilsonguitars.com
@hannahdingbrown says he’s “a guitar finisher but he fixes them immaculately too”

BRIAN EASTWOOD just north of Manchester
http://brianeastwoodguitars.co.uk
@bettybeckett tweeted “this man is a genius”

ALVIN DAVIES in Chelmsford
http://www.freewebs.com/daviesguitarco/about.htm
recommended by @rainbootlabel

HICKIES in Reading
http://hickies.co.uk
@jrhardman: ” they’ve been a shop since 1864 and have two or three dedicated technicians who managed to fix my Ovation when i messed up the fibreglass back – thought i was on Struggle Street. Very inventive people, I never go anywhere else now”

HOBGOBLIN MUSIC in Central London
http://hobgoblin.co.uk
@PSB_HQ “Try Hobgoblin just off Oxford Street?”

PAUL GUPPY in Lancaster
http://www.yell.com/b/Paul+Guppy-Musical+Instrument+Tuning+and+Repair-Lancaster-LA11NN-1915688/
@TheLongLostBand “highly regarded in our neck of the woods”

ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK in Crouch End, North London
http://www.rockaroundtheclockuk.com
@oneeyedwayneuk say “rock around the clock very good.. We get ours done there”

KGB MUSIC at Pacific Arts Centre in Birkenhead
http://www.kgb-music.co.uk/repairs.htm
recommended by @mirglipyllib

THE MOBILE GUITAR WORKSHOP near Sevenoaks, Kent
http://tomsguitars.co.uk
@gigvert: “Tom’s guitar workshop in Kent. Tom was apprentice at Andy’s in Denmark street.”

GRAHAM HILL in Trowbridge
Alas no trace anywhere online 🙁
@byepolarbears1: “fantastic and really cheap”

MOON GUITARS in Glasgow
http://www.moonguitars.co.uk
@dagwells says “Jimmy Moon makes & repairs for Scissor Sisters / Simple Minds / Bryan Adams / Dougie Maclean etc. Genius.”

GRAHAM NODEN – London, West End
http://www.londononline.co.uk/profiles/70001
@FractalGeekUK: “Graham Noden on Denmark Street does good work”

JIMMY COLE in Winchester
http://umbrellawinchester.ning.com/profile/jimmycole
@Archangel_One: “Martin Stephenson’s mate Jimmy Cole is a master luthier”

MUSIC MATTERS in Maidstone
http://musicmattersuk.co.uk
@markkalphone says “@MusicMattersUK will help 🙂 they are gr8 x”

WILL RUSSELL –  Ealing, West London
Alas no trace anywhere online 🙁
@TotalCurtis: “Hi Tom, can highly recommend Ealing based Luthier Will Russell, you can contact him on…” (number supplied)

VINCE HOCKEY in Southampton
Vince is the Martin Registered repairer for W.Europe, featured in ‘History Of Martin Guitars’ book.
NO WEBSITE but we found email addresses: vincehockey@talktalk.net or possibly vincehockey@onetel.net.uk
@louisbarabbas Best guy I know: he’s a magician.

MANSONS GUITARS in Exeter
http://mansons.co.uk/workshop/about
@anthonylaneism says “Best guitar workshop in the westcountry for sure”