My experience was completely positive. Excellent repair, care for detail, expertise and very reasonable rate. Ukiah is very lucky to have an experienced guitar repair person with integrity. read more

I took my Strat into Hobo Guitars to get a setup -- I got that and then some. Mike was not only extremely knowledgeable about guitars of all shapes and sizes, but he'll also explain to you their inner-workings in great detail if you're curious enough to ask. I feel like I learned more about pickups in 30 minutes of conversation with him than I've been able to gather/understand on my own in the entire 8+ years that I've been playing guitar. He also gave me some pointers for when I'm doing minor repairs on my own at home -- things to look out for with that particular model, etc... And the guitar sounds fantastic. I knew it needed some work; I bought it used, online, and when I plugged it in I knew right away some things weren't right with it. The difference now after having Mike work on it is like night and day, and I attribute a lot of that to his expertise. Aside from his repair business, he builds, modifies and sells guitars as well. I didn't look over the acoustics much but every single one of the electric guitars he had for sale were unique and just plain cool. If you're like me and you get a kick out of custom guitars and their components then you have to check out his selection. (Vintage amps, too!) Disclaimer... This is not Guitar Center. So I wouldn't go in there expecting to see hundreds of overpriced guitars (that are all the same, just with different paint jobs) if I were you. It's more like a local Luthier's think tank, that also provides goods and services. read more

Stopped in to see their guitar selection. All very well taken care of and sound great. Mike is a good guy to talk to. You won't find many shops with this personality anymore. read more

I feel like I've just been let in on one of Ukiah's "best kept secrets." I was looking for someone who could set up my guitars and do some adjustments. If most musicians are like me, their instruments are their babies. There's often a lot of anxiety when someone works on your guitar. Most of the time you just live with the issues because of it. So I asked Larry Thompson (Funky Dozen) if he trusted anyone in town. He told me about Mike Zarkowski, owner of Hobo Guitars. Larry had a bass that had a warped neck and was unplayable. Mike straightened it out and it was very playable after his handiwork. Mike is extremely knowledgeable, makes sure you play your instrument after adjustments so every issue is taken care of before you walk out the door. Fast service, and reasonable rates for musicians. He tells it like it is and although not a "warm and fuzzy" kind of guy, I appreciate his get to the point attitude. It's very obvious to me he is fluid and comfortable with many years of experience doing what he does. But that's just the cake part of this...there's some pretty sweet icing too. He has a versatile collection of Guitars, a few bases at his store for sale, some of which he's actually built himself. The name of his line is "String Theory." He demonstrated how they sound for me and I was blown away. I was also blown away by the excellence of his musicianship. The guy can really play. I listened while he comfortably played a variety of music and styles of music. And there is so much more he does and has in his shop. He's even given my some playing tips and suggestions that have been very valuable. So check him out! He's right off of north main street at 214 East Smith St. I know I'll be taking my guitars to him from now on. read more

I just recently decided to start learning to play guitar so I thought I'd check out a local shop and ask for some pointers and tips. When I told him I've never played and that I have my guitar he asked to see it then immediately started working on my guitar which was fine but when he was done, before I even had time to say thank you, he demanded $20... I paid him the money but I'm not sure if he took advantage of the fact that I'm young and dumb or not because he didn't tell me what he was doing he just asked to see my guitar. He did replace one of the strings but a whole new set is around $15 I think? I then went home and used a guitar tuner to see how well he did and only one of the stings was in tune. I won't be going back but I believe if you're knowledgeable on the subject this shop would be good for you read more

I'll get to the punchline right away: SAVE YOUR TIME. Don't bother going to Hobo Guitars in Ukiah. I went to Hobo Guitars to get a set of acoustic guitar strings (Elixer) and to discuss a needed repair on my Rainsong Jumbo. They weren't open on Monday. I came back on Tuesday at 11:55am, since they open at noon. At about 5 minutes after noon, I decided to make a phone call. At about ten minutes after, as I sat in my car dealing with the phone call, the owner arrived and gave me a dirty look as he unlocked his door. I finished the call and went to the door, allowing a couple minutes so the man did not feel rushed. I am considerate like that. As I got to the door, I asked if they were now open. The man said that he was. I stated that I was looking for acoustic Elixer strings. The owner adopted a rude, disgusted tone and proceeded to tell me that he doesn't carry Elixers because he can't sell enough of them at $30/set to justify the cost of having them on his shelves. Thirty dollars a set? Really? Elixer Nanowebs sell retail for $14 at Bananas-at-Large in Santa Rosa. You can get them for about the same price at most other stores, and online. Yeah... I am POSITIVE that the owner of Hobo Guitars can't manage to sell enough of these $14 strings for $30 to warrant carrying the strings. Few would buy a product at over 200% of the average retail cost. I looked around his store, and I saw about 5 run-of-the-mill copy electric guitars, probably used. I saw a handful of amps. The rest of the store appeared to be sans product. I asked the rude man what strings he DID have.... and he rattled off two names of cheap, uncoated strings. I did not bother asking for a price. Since he was so rude in his mannerisms, I decided that I would not trust the man to perform maintenance, no matter how minor, on my guitars. I will not go back to the store again. I wouldn't try and educate this gentleman on how to run a business. That said, you can't sell what you do not have... and it takes money to make money. If you STOCKED popular consumables, if you priced them in the ballpark of what is reasonable, and perhaps if you advertised that you are open for business and are stocked and prepared to service the community, you would have sales. There are only two guitar-related stores in Ukiah... and both have very little stock of anything. So, there is little competition. If the sour owner of this store is a little miffed that his store isn't succeeding, he has no one to blame but himself. If you don't stock quality goods and commonly used goods, like Elixer strings, and if you are rude on top of it all... don't expect to be in business much longer. read more

Hobo Guitars - Avoid at all costs. - Guitar Stores Near Me - Ukiah, California

Very knowledgeable. Thanks for helping me get my sons first guitar. When I was in there another person came in needing custom work and he said no problem He would create what the guy needed. Pretty sure this guy can help with any guitar needs you have. read more

Be warned! Not the mostly friendly! Walk in just as he got a phone call from a salesperson. Rude to the person on the phone. Muttered, "What a f***ing idiot" when he hung up. States he gets 3 sales calls a day. Still no reason to be rude. We don't teach our kids to be rude! I wouldn't spend $5 in this store! read more

Brought in a broken down cheap guitar just as he opened. Had it fixed within the hour, and fully clean. Told me what was wrong with my guitar, and still needed fixed. Gave me an excellent offer on a new one. Came back to buy strings, seemed to be a nice guy that day too. Think my next guitar will come from him. read more

This guy is so cool...........I walk in out of the blue for strings next thing you know we are swapping originals......felt just like home.... read more

Yes, Mike may not be the friendliest guy in town, but he is a skilled and reasonable craftsman when it comes to instrument repair. Highly recommended. Also, a profile of Mike is available at the Mendocino Talking website. read more