smart & innovative, a true genius...I bought one of 1st handcrafted guitars back in the late 70s. I still have it & it is my favorite guitar... read more

Koontz Guitar Repair - Musical Instrument Services Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

A great dude saving a real art. Musicians, like me depend on our gear being in the best shape possible. Mike is truly a gift from the big guy anobe read more

Mike was recommended highly by word-of-mouth. And boy, am I sure glad I listened. My guitar has never played better, and Mike was so kind to us. I will trust no other company with my guitars ever again. And for you heavy-metal players or shred players out there that love extremely low action, Mike is the guy. I promise you. He gave me about 1 mm of string action and it plays like A dream. Very fair price and a good turnaround time. I am very satisfied. Thanks Mike! read more

Koontz Guitar Repair - Musical Instrument Services Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Mike is one of the best (maybe *THE* best) repairmen and luthiers in the business. He's a rare talent that can make a complete guitar from scratch or do complicated repairs as well. Many great luthiers cannot do a great refret or fret level but Mike can do it all. Mike has made guitars for me as well as refrets, fret levels, custom pickguards with complicated abalone inlays, etc. read more

Mike is fantastic. I have a new Gibson Custom 1960 Fixed Bridge Hummingbird that came out of the shop with a nut, neck binding and fret ends that were uncomfortably sharp to the touch. A high end guitar should never leave Gibson like that but unfortunately it is far too common. Mike fixed all that and set it up beautifully. It sings like an angel now. I also have a Martin Custom Size 2-12 fret of which I am the third owner. It had some buckle and pick rash, as well as a couple of spots on the back where the finish had been damaged right thru to the koa wood. He repaired all of that and returned the guitar to me set up and looking as new as the day it was born. You will never find a better, more professional and capable guitar man than Mike. He is absolutely the best there is. read more

I met Mike back in the 70's at Guitar and Drum center in St. Clair Shores. I can't say a bad thing about him. His prices are fair and his skill is unmatched. He will never tell you your guitar needs work just to make a buck,if it doesn't need anything he won't do anything. He's come a long way since that little room in the back of G&D. read more

Koontz is the real deal. I had a Warmoth Strat body and neck that was sitting around at about 80% completion for nearly a year. I decided to bite the bullet and bring it in to have it all finished up, so I took it to Mike. One week later, I had a beast of a guitar wired to my exact specs (one volume, two tones, with one push/pull pot to coil split the bridge humbucker and stacked single coils no matter the 5 way switch position.) Now I have arguably the best playing guitar in my whole collection, and it's all down to Mike's hard work. Super responsive, very professional, and a pleasure to deal with (even after my dumb self severed the wires in two of the pickups when installing them.) The shop is a bit cluttered, but I'd never trust a luthier with a sterile-looking shop. That said, he has the perfect ratio of workspace to old guitars sitting around the shop, all with just enough tools hanging on the back shelves to give you the reassuring feeling that you made the right choice. I can't wait to bring him my basket case Les Paul Studio. Apologies in advance! read more

Koontz Guitar Repair - The finished beauty, all buttoned up courtesy of Koontz! - Musical Instrument Services Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Mike is the best luthier there is! He's also incredibly kind and passionate about the work he does. I took him a lemon of a bass and he worked his magic. Truly a miracle worker! read more

The customer service here is the best I've ever experienced. This guy truly lives for what he does and provides first-rate knowledge, workmanship, and professionalism every time. read more

Mike is the best at what he does, and quite humble about it. He was recommended years ago but it was a drive I never wanted to make, mistake. The last few years I started making the drive after going through a few techs and will never go anyplace other than him now. Honest, dependable, and probably has forgotten more than the others ever knew, plus he's a great guy & backs up his work. Don't waste your time or cash somewhere else.. read more

I found this shop on Yelp I think. Took my 11yo daughter's Breedlove guitar there... I rang the back door bell per the sign. Gentlemen (the owner I believe) came to the door and appeared to be overwhelmed. The shop was FILLED with guitars for repair. I explained that she all of a sudden could not tune her guitar. She hasn't even had it for a year! Just then I had an important call and had to take it in my car. I sent my daughter back into the shop to find out what it would cost for repair and what timeframe. She returned about 10 minutes later with the guitar. HE FIXED IT!! He said that "the neck just needed to be adjusted because of the change in weather." He didn't even charge me for it. God bless him! She hasn't had anymore problems with her guitar. I HIGHLY recommend this shop and I would happy satisfy whatever the cost. read more

Koontz Guitar Repair - Thank you for repairing her guitar on the spot. May God bless you - Musical Instrument Services Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Found a guitar in my basement that was from my childhood . My dad (who's passed) had kept it, I had no idea . Found it after my basement flooded , and took it here , he went above and beyond my expectations and for a low price . Got it done in 24 hours for me as well . Couldn't be happier with my experience , will definitely not go anywhere else for guitar servicing ever . read more

Have my guitar set up there. Can't believe the improvement. Would definitely return to get it done again.

I brought my guitar in for a jack to be replaced. He called me later that night and said it was ready to go. The job was well done and his prices are more than reasonable. Very highly recommend. read more

Mike is a great guy and will do his best to get you in as fast as possible and does precise work at the lowest prices possible. Plus he's been repairing and building guitars since before I had a driver's license. I've had a custom made guitar with fretjobs not near as good as his. What a great artisan to have in metro Detroit. ***** 5 stars read more

Mike is the best person for the job. Took a guitar in for a fret level and got it back like it had been plek'd. Ive had other people do the job resulting in a slight improvement, but I got my guitar back from Mike with nothing less than 100%. Absolute best fretwork possible for a human to achieve at a work bench with basic tools. read more

"The Man"....are you looking for him? Well, I'm gonna tell you his name is Mike Koontz and he's in Ferndale. I done been playing git-tarr fer...uh....an embarrassingly long time and thee finest luthier in this heah area is indeed Mr. Koontz. True, he usually does have a backlog and you could probably find someone who works more cheaply but...do you really trust the average schmoe with dull files near the frets of your precious axe? Me neither. Additionally, he's personable and his physical skills in luthiery cannot be assailed. He once repaired a finish chip while I waited---gratis! This guy really is the Gtr Doctor. read more

Mike is one of the best in the world. He invented one of the key tools that luthiers everywhere use, and is known throughout the industry. I've been a customer for 30 years, and he has always been great. The absolute best quality, and a hell of a nice guy too. Inexpensive - he needs to charge more and get his backlog under control. Be prepared to wait, but worth it. Will come through in a hurry though if you have an emergency... read more

Koontz Guitar Repair is as good as it gets when it comes to expertise, precision work, and utmost trustworthiness with your prized possessions. I drive 50 miles and pass up many other guitar repair specialists to bring my guitars and basses to Mike and his partner in masterful repair. There's a reason why Koontz Guitar Repair comes up every time you ask someone who works on their guitars. I trust these good people explicitly and I can't recommend them more. If you want the best, you bring your guitars here. read more

This guy is a national treasure. He's made guitars that should have been in the trash some of my best playing instruments. You owe it to yourself to see what your instrument can really be, bring it to Koontz. He's one of the most humble guys you'll meet. He's the best luthier in our area period. When he's gone it's going to be a great loss. read more

I drove pretty far out of my way, brought my 22-year-old Gibson ES175D to Koontz for a string breakage problem (and a "30,000 mile" set-up). Within moments of plugging it in and playing the first few chords of "Satin Doll" it was clear that my axe now sounds (and feels) better than new - way better than new. The drive was more than worth it. Next up: my Martin Jumbo. read more

I've only been to Mike once, but I've already decided that he's my new guitar tech. Do yourself a favor and do the same. Mike knows what he's doing and his prices are more than reasonable for the service that he gives. I've probably been to every guitar tech here in Michigan, but he is the one that I'm staying with from now on. He definitely exceeded my expectations! His shop looks pretty cool too! read more

Mike Koontz completed a masterful repair on another guitar of mine. He is the best guitar tech around this area. I recommend him highly.

This is by far the best guitar repair shop in the metro Detroit area! Mike Koontz is a genius when it comes to repairing guitars and I wouldn't take my guitars anywhere else to be repaired. I've had rush jobs, jobs where I thought that there would be no way to fix my guitar and he's always saved me and brought guitars back to life! His prices are very reasonable and he's a really nice guy. What more could you ask for? If you need guitar repairs, go see Mike, he is the best, hands down! read more

I've been dealing with Mike for more than a few years. He's never let me down on quality of work and price. You couldn't ask for a nicer person to deal with! He is the best I've ever dealt with, I would highly recommend him to anyone and everyone. read more

Mike set up my first guitar at the guitar and drum store on Harper a very long time ago. I will soon be taking my L.P. and another guitar to Mike for set ups. read more

I don't think I've been to Koontz guitar repair since about 2003..... I know I still have my receipt from my guitar when they repaired it they did a beautiful job.... I know they do work for some great guitar player... and they are very inexpensive they work with you and that's great.... I will be doing business with them again I have two other guitars that I would like them to work on I just have to wait till I get some money working & a little bit more steady... but I would turn them on to anybody!!! read more

Probably shouldn't be encouraging more customers for him, he's usually got a line of guitars to fix before he gets to mine. Well worth the wait - as everyone says - best in the area. I travel from Port Huron area to have Mike work on my guitars, and It's worth every mile. read more

Mike's work is amazing! He has worked on five of my husband's guitars now, and each time he has exceeded his expectations. He is obviously a truly skilled craftsman who takes great pride in his work. In addition, he is a nice guy who takes the time to answer his customers' questions. We are lucky to have someone with Mike's ability in the area. Do not even consider taking your guitars anywhere else. read more

Hands down, the best in Michigan. I've been going to Mike for over 10 years. He's uber professional and his technique is unmatched.

Koontz is the king! This guys can do anything. Took a really messed up cheap bass in and he McGuyvered it at just 60 bux! Looks brand new too. I would take any guitar or bass job to this place every time. read more

I've been taking my guitars to Koontz for about 15 years. Mike's set-ups and repairs are the best in town. He is truly a wonder-worker. I love dropping guitars off for him to work on because I know when I pick them up, they will be in the best shape possible. His pricing is fair, and he's a really nice person to boot. I highly recommend his service and I can vouch for the quality of his work. read more

Take all of your guitars here!!! Mike has done several fret level jobs for me, and they all play as good as anything you'll ever play, both electric and acoustic. He's and incredible craftsman, very informative, and friendly. Note, he takes cash only, but its a small hassle for the quality of work you will receive. Can't say enough good things. read more

I was referred to Koontz by a friend who eats, sleeps, & breathes guitars. "He's the best around", he said. It's a very small but quite capable operation. I showed him my guitar and he told me more about it than I could find out on the internet. Knowledgeable, careful, meticulous. Worth every penny. read more