I brought in a high end acoustic guitar for a simple pickup installation. I called first and was told they might be able to get it done the same day or maybe the next. I arrived within an hour of my call and learned that it would be a few days since it was a Friday and they are closed Sunday. (Not bad really but I needed it was told it was probable) I was told I could pay an upcharge for "express service" and agreed. I picked up the guitar the next day. When I got home I discovered the soundhole mounted control panel with Volume and tone controls was mounted so far to the rear that my index finger was wedged between the low E string and the tone knob in order to turn the thumbwheel. I was not told or informed whether there may be an issue with placement due to bracing. I would understand I that's the case but I should have been informed or asked about it. This makes using the tone knob impractical. The express service upcharge was essentially a waste of money because I had to drive back and leave the guitar. This time a couple more days. Chuck said they were short staffed maybe they could get it the next day. It's mounted with Double sided sticky tape and/or velcro. How long could it take? Two days later with no contact I just drove back and picked up the guitar and I'll get it fixed elsewhere. I have gigs I need to play and that's what I got this guitar for. I gig professionally and did 145 shows last year. Again, Chuck said they were short staffed but my experience is delivery time to fix an issue became a moving targett. I understand things happen but this was not a good first experience with the shop. I probably won't go back. Their charges are also higher than what other shops charge in town b based on my 30 years of gigging in Tucson. Overall this is not a huge deal but my first experience with this shop including 'express service' was not good. read more

Gabriel's Guitars - Musical Instrument Services Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

After my luthier of record retired, I was referred to Gabriels. Took in my brand new electric guitar I bought for retirement for a setup. Upon meeting him he was upbeat but as soon as I dropped the case on the counter and he saw the brand his demeaner change to sour. So he didn't like the brand ok but don't make the customer feel bad about it. Wasn't like it was a budget/cheap guitar that's for sure. Anyway, he quickly put a fret level tool on it and went on about how fret leveling was badly needed among other things. (Brand new high end guitar?) Told me the cost and I almost feel over but said ok, get things done. Was told it would take a week but after another day he made contact saying it was done. Wow, really? Well, ok great I suppose. So with a month or so of playing on it, I still felt the fret ends were not dressed well and the action was wrong. I sought out another luthier and he was much more pleasant and easy going. Didn't talk TO me but WITH me as it were and he sure made me feel good about my retirement present/choice. Anyway, my new lutheir is a seasoned pro and he pointed out issues that clearly shouldn't be there with the kind of bank I recently spent at Gabriel's. While many clearly liking this shop and Chuck, as a professional in my line of work he didn't impress me all so much. Well, no doubt ya can't please everyone I suppose but I won't be back. read more

I'm new to the area, and needed to find a qualified luthier. I spoke with Chuck on the phone, and later visited the shop. He gave me a tour of the shop and explained what services they provide. I also got an in-depth education about caring for my instruments in this hot, dry climate. I will have no reservations bringing my guitars to Gabriel's whenever they need a setup or repair. read more

I had an acoustic and an electric set up. The service was really good and the finished product was also really good. I will go back with some of my other instruments, soon. read more

What a surprise. Went in to Gabriel's Guitars to get a setup for my PRS which was not staying in tune using the trem and to get an assessment on a second telecaster guitar. They are far from me geographically but besides moving a lot of inventory I have little interest in Guitar Center any longer; good for what they do but entirely too little pay for their people; and I needed a good local tech. So I thought I would just see what's up. Kegan and Chuck worked with me. Taught me how to adjust intonation bc they said it was all that needed for the PRS (even though Kegan removed a spring and did some other adjustments while we spoke, to fix the trem issue). Chuck gave me a thorough class on some adjustments and how important a humidifier was along with a link to a cheap one. These young guitar players are really demonstrating what retail is all about. Love it and highly recommend Gabriels. That is where I will go from now on. read more

Take your guitars to Chuck at Gabriel's for any repairs or even questions. I have been playing guitar for 60 years and learned more in an hour with Chuck than I ever knew before. Great service. read more

Excellent service, knowledgeable staff, friendly and reasonably priced. I brought in an acoustic whose pickup system wasn't working, an electric that had seen years of gigging abuse and needed frets and a tuneup and an amp whose feedback was unbearable. All problems solved with no issue and with personable discussion with the techs. Highly recommend to all, beginners and pros alike. read more

I took 3 of my guitars in for repairs, etc... Great service! Glad to have qualified luthiers here in T-town! Thanks to Gabriel and his team!! Cheers, Drew M. read more

Chuck added a strap button to my classical guitar and was very personable and informative. Learned so much about how to keep my guitar conditioned and why it is so challenging in Tucson..and it's just not the heat. Would totally trust Gabriel's for any needed services. read more

Took my amp in for some repairs. Zero hassles. They fixed it right up. Definitely will be a returning customer.

This shop is the best. Stopped to ask about a guitar repair and they spent about 30 minutes answering my questions and giving me tons and tons of useful information about guitar repair, guitar care, humidity and humidifiers, known problems with my guitar model, DIY, all kinds of stuff. Just super friendly helpful people who are excited about all things guitar. read more

I sure got the impression in my first visit and follow-up that Gabriel and Chuck at "Gabriel's Guitars" are sure an asset to the Greater Tucson Guitar Community with the many stringed-instrument services they offer. Their overall personalized service for our beloved instruments sure made me feel comfortable leaving my 5000 Dollar 'Collings' Flat-Top in their capable Hands...and I had been to couple of other Tucson Repair/Luthier locales and passed on them, before I got to Gabriel's. Now I know where to take my guitars when I come back to Winter in Tucson next year. Which is to say, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their Shop and Services to You. Play On... read more

Bought a guitar here recently and have been very happy with my purchase. This is the place to go if you need a stringed instrument repaired or serviced. read more

Horrible experience. Guitar damaged. There's a reason you sign a waiver for responsibility of damage when you drop your guitar off here. Guitar neck cracked from the nut to 3rd fret, visible on both sides. He said "I don't know how I missed that when I inspected it." Simple. There was no crack when I dropped it off. Was just trying to get a setup done. Terrible feeling having serious damage done to one of my guitars. I suggest you find a different shop if you care about your instruments. read more

Gabriel did a great job setting up and installing a new nut on my newly purchased used guitar. The service was quick and very fairly priced. I'll be back for sure. Peter read more

Gabriel did a great job of adjusting the bridge on my ukulele to make chords easier to play. He worked quickly and the ukulele was ready the next day. I highly recommend Gabriel for work on guitars or ukuleles. read more