Guitar hunting in the Twin Cities

[TAA]

John,

I had the same reaction as more and more MN people started showing up this thread.

The Pete Biltoft single CC replica pickup on my 1952 L-5C was installed by St. Paul guitar repair in Dec. They did a good job. He had an original CC pickup assembly in the store room and showed it to me. Interesting looking item.

Good to know about Quinn Violin, as a potential resource, if I ever need to consult with them regarding my L-5.

Tom

[tbeltrans]

The reason Twin Cities folks are showing up now is that we are starting to thaw out enough that our hands can type and participate in this thread. It has been a long winter and we don't yet know if it is over. Of course, that is not such a bad thing because it is a good excuse to stay home and practice, at least according to Leo Kottke.

Before COVID, Marty had a shop set up at Fret Central and during COVID, he worked out of his house in St. Paul. I have been to both. During COVID, Fret Central had to shut down the store because the employees weren't considered "essential". I was doing part time contract engineering at that time and recall where I was working having to do similar. For whatever reason, I was considered essential, so I was able to finish out my contract. Their employees had to find work elsewhere, leaving the owners to handle the shop themselves. They put focus on their online store and their business grew a lot. So they have remained appointment only because they have been busy handling online orders, essentially shipping and receiving. When I was there buying my Eastman FV-880, they were just a beehive of activity, leaving me to play as long as I wanted. I recently heard that, while Quinn is staying at the E Hennepin location, the Fret Central shop is moving to Plymouth. I have not yet verified this, but will at some point.

Also, I took two guitars over to St. Paul Guitar repair a week ago. Ron did magic on them, as has Michelle on other occasions. Those folks are factory trained on Taylor guitars and have all the shims to make a perfect set up on them. They worked on my Taylor two years ago and on my McPhersons a week ago. Stellar work all around.

Though this area may not be a hot spot for archtop guitars, I did purchase locally my 1995 Gibson Citation at Lavonne Music and this past weekend, my Jimmy Foster 7 string archtop (date of build unknown) via local Craig's List in St. Paul, and the Eastman Frank Vignola FV-880 at Fret Central a year or two ago. I doubt I could do much better elsewhere. Many folks on this forum have to resort to online shops and individuals to buy archtops like these.

Tony

[powerwagonjohn]

Randy has always been considered one of the best in the Twin Cities, he repaired the broken headstock on my 69 SG Std. back in the late 1980's and it is still holding strong. Ron and Michelle both worked at Hoffman Guitar. I bought my 1952 L-4 in like new condition with original case and De Armond pick up at Guitar Center in Roseville. You never know when or where a guitar will pop up. Lavone's has always been somewhat archtop orientated as has Willies. I think we need a Twin Cities gathering some day!
Thanks john