I got a Taylor Acoustic Guitar on December 1, 2025. I took it back to the guitar shop I purchased it from, two times with the complaint that it sounded horrible. The mids were twangy, the sound was thin and I was dissatisfied with the overall sound. They tested it and said it was fine and that they did not hear what I was hearing. After playing the guitar on six gigs and cringing each time I played it, I decided to have the GO ACOUSTIC AUDIO install on my guitar. On their website, I saw that an official installer, Renson Guitar Shop was thirty minutes away from me (Pasadena). Long story short, I took the guitar in and spoke to Noric Renson about installing the system. OMG, what a friendly and knowledgeable person he is. In a quick turn around, he did a most beautiful installation. We tested the guitar and he even polished the surface. I played the guitar on a gig the next night and was completely blown away! Was this the same Taylor? Rich tones and a clean resonance. I had to call Noric the next work day to express my complete satisfaction with his quality work. I'll be taking my acoustic guitars to Renson Guitar Shop in the future and I strongly recommend that you do the same...you will be completely satisfie. Phil Luna Lunatunes Studio Pasadena, CA read more

Noric Renson is a master at guitar repair and maininance. He had done work on a couple of my guitars and the work was outstanding.

What a nice guy! Helped me fix my guitar strap right away, talked about cassettes and records and CDs. Couldn't recommend going here enough. Thanks buddy! read more

If you're a guitar player in the Los Angeles area I would highly recommend doing yourself a favor and getting your guitars set up by Norik ASAP! He is the best of the best and that's why the best choose him over and over again. Take your favorite guitar that you think feels absolutely incredible and I guarantee after Norik gets his hands on it, it will be like dropping off a Porsche and leaving in a Ferrari. Aside from his impeccable attention to detail, beyond fair rates and the peace of mind knowing that your gear is in great hands he is just flat out a real one and a rare one. Also, stick around for a story or two. He's hilarious, intelligent and will leave you feeling inspired! Thanks again Norik! I'll catch you soon. -BP read more

Renson Guitar Shop - Guitar Stores Near Me - Studio City, California

I hesitate to leave a review here because he's just that good; the covetous part of me doesn't want the secret to get out. Norick is a gentleman in every sense of the word, while also being a world-class artisan. Also, the vibe is just exquisite. What more could you ask for? read more

I needed a fret replacement and setup for my guitar a few days before a gig and Norik made sure it happened in time, made it sound new and even followed up with me to make sure everything was good. Highly recommended. read more

Kickass place. Came here on a whim/out of desperation after my string broke and needed a quick fix. Called beforehand to make sure they had what I needed, came by minutes later, and found a place I can keep coming back to. Super humble and down to earth, glad I stumbled by this gem read more

I have had guitar set-up work done by 20 or 30 Luthiers in Los Angeles over the last 25 years, and when I found Noric, my search was over. His vast knowledge is just what I've needed. He can assess problems, and for the most part, he can complete them on the spot. He has my full recommendation. Steve Trovato () Professor: Thornton Studio Guitar Department , University of Southern California. read more

I happened to find this shop via Yelp. I was excited to see it was right in my neighborhood. Norik was super friendly and happy to help me out. I'm a novice and never had a guitar "set up" before. I brought it in and he explained the work that needed to be done and suggested i change out the strings to make it easier for me to play (fine by me). It said it would be a couple of days and I thought that was fair. Just got my guitar back and it sounds so much better than it did before. I can't believe the difference. The price for the work was very fair and I will be coming back with any more guitar needs. read more

My black SG Standard took a tumble on stage and suffered a cracked headstock. I brought it to Renson and they did an outstanding job repairing the crack and touching up the neck, it looks and feels good as new and I cannot even see a trace of the repair. read more

Customer service is completely random. Noric does a good job, but getting your instrument back is like buying a lottery ticket.

After 40 years I still trust Norik and Brett over anyone else in the business. Guitars can be tricky instruments, especially older vintage ones. Norik has worked miracles on a couple of vintage instruments that I thought were goners. Great work, great guys and they treat every client like they're important. Which is something that I can't always say for some of the other shops in town. Highly recommend! read more

Took my Gretsch P-90 center block to Renson Guitar shop for a setup; I was having issues with intonation/bridge among other things. Norik tuned it up and had it humming beautifully when I got it back. Will come back again. Thanks, Norik! read more

I took my 6120 Gretsch to Norik for refreting: frets were horrible and had sharp ends. Renson Guitar shop does FANTASTIC job!

I realize that my low rating of Renson Guitar Shop is an outlier - and I debated for a long time whether to post a negative review - but I'm reminded of the bad experience I had with Norik every time i see the lasting effects of the shoddy work he performed on my guitar. Renson Guitar Shop came highly recommended by 2 close friends who are both well known professional guitarists that entrust Norik with their most prized instruments. I took my vintage Gibson to him to look at what I believed to be was a top crack opening up. It was caught at a very early stage. Norik said he could fix it; that he'd humidify the guitar to close the center seam, cleat it, and smooth out the finish on top if necessary. He assured me we caught it in time and the work wouldn't be noticeable. He had the guitar for several months, and I checked in it every couple of weeks. When it was finally done, I picked it up, inspected it, thanked and paid him, and left. The finish looked really good. The top was indeed smooth with no apparent work. Two weeks later the top seam separated completely - the gap was so wide you could see light through it when I put a flashlight inside the guitar. Upon inspection with a mirror, I saw that Norik never cleated the top seam. He only completed the outside, cosmetic part of the repair. The crack was now much worse than when I first brought it to him. I returned it to him, and he only believed my claim there was no cleat when he looked inside for himself and saw the error in his work. He had the guitar another 6 weeks and his final repairs were disappointing. The crack was more visible than ever, but at least he cleated the repair properly. At this point the only way to fix the damage left after the careless work would be a complete top refinish that would both cost $$$, and further undermine the value of the vintage instrument. I understand that everyone make mistakes and sometimes accidents happen, but this one was really upsetting. Not only did they not complete the repair they were hired to do, their carelessness made the issue worse. At no point did Norik ever apologize for his carelessness or the amount of time he took first, perform the work and then to rectify his mistake. He never offered to refund any of the payment for the lasting damage incurred by the shoddy work he performed on my Gibson. I'm really disappointed with Renson Guitar Shop. I hope that my case was an anomaly and that the rest of the patrons get professional results, but I did not. read more

I have had the absolute pleasure to know, and have worked with Norik since 1987! He's my luither! I met him through Warmoth Guitars in Washington State. You'll not ever meet the kindest, amazing, magical, creative, individual like him anywhere else! He's a Mensch! Worth his weight in Salt! A true luthier!! If Norik can't do it, IT CANNOT BE DONE! I have experienced his amazing creative talents for more then half of my life! I have an array of items his Midas hands touched, some of which can't be duplicated and some he should just get some pattens on! You'll fall in LOVE with his action setup... you'll become a fan, like me! I've happily been his billboard ever since! Brilliant! Fantastic!! Seriously you'll not find better! read more

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I have never been inside the Renson Guitar shop, and don't even own a guitar actually. The shop is owned by my old Junior High and High School classmate Norik who is sweet, smart (and cute!). Anyone in business for so long in the same place has to be good. I don't plan on owning a guitar during the rest of my lifetime-but if I did- I would take it to Renson for it's care! :) read more

Norik is one the best guitar tech and it shows he is the busiest man working on 10 guitars at once he makes every musician happy after they have their guitar fixed 100% recommendations read more

Norik and Brett have been customizing my guitars for over thirty years. They are truly professional Luthiers. No job is too hard for these awesome dudes. They are the best in the business. Thank you both for over three decades of excellence, Ray H. read more

When you want it done right, go see him, total pro, best guy in LA period. I have taken all of my guitars and basses to him, and so do the real pros, read more

I brought my Strat in for some emergency TLC before 14 shows in Vegas. Norik got right on it and fixed the issue. He always does a great job for me! Great guy as well. Thank you! read more

Norik Renson has been doing this since 1981. He put an Anthem Baggs pickup in my acoustic and had to make extra room in the box to make it fit! Done. Also did the action on the fretboard - the best I have ever had and put a new bridge in . I love my Martin more than ever. Also gave a follow up call without my prompting to see if all was well. Never going anywhere else read more

This is one of a kind guitar shop where you can get anything fixed has always come through for me and add reasonable prices.

Brought an old Japanese Strat in for a refret. The guitar had been played to the point where the fretwire was so worn down it was unplayable. Found these guys after a web search, and after I had a conversation with Norik , I decided these were my guys. He was super friendly, made great recommendations, and I left the guitar with him. A few weeks later, I had my beloved guitar back in tip-top form. The fretwork was impeccable - amazing attention to detail with not a single rough spot on the fretboard. The guitar plays better than it ever has. I am beyond happy with the job they did. Gonna bring another couple guitars for the same thing. read more

Renson Guitar Shop - Guitar Stores Near Me - Studio City, California

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After years of searching for someone to work on my husband's guitars, we have finally found the right place! My husband is left-handed and always custom wires his guitars. We have taken in all the guitars that the last place wired incorrectly and the guys at Renson have fixed them. Not only have they fixed the wiring, but if you look inside the guitar the wiring is a work of art. It is beautiful! This place is so worth the drive over the hill. read more

Renson is top-notch. Almost hard to believe such an amazing resource, hidden behind a wall of ivy, is located so close to my home. I have used Renson for over twenty years to repair my acoustics and electrics. read more

I rarely leave reviews but renson deserves it. Do not take your guitar anywhere else. Best in the business

The only place to take any fretted instrument. Norik has been working on my instruments and I would not take them any place else. He and Brett are absolute masters and have salvaged instruments of mine that I thought were beyond hope. read more

Great shop. Made my guitar play better than it ever has. Thank you to Norik and crew.

I got my jazz bass guitar set up here and fixed when I accidentally knocked it over and I won't go anywhere else!!! Amazing work and just kind-hearted. They are the BEST!!!! Thank you so much!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!! read more

I would almost take myself here for heart surgery, that's how much I can trust and respect Renson! But I think that'd be unfair to ask, lol. Over many years they've helped me set up and enhance guitars, and they even diagnosed a couple "wall hangers" I bought on eBay that had fatal defects, which, by the way, Renson could've worked on to help ---for a reasonable sum--but I decided not to have them do it. Integrity and expertise are very high here! When does that happen nowadays? Right? read more

Norick is a good guy, helped my mandolin a LOT in a few hours, saving me a drive from Orange County a second time.....I had lunch, took a nap, and my sweet Gibson Sam Bush mando got a whole lot better....Thank Norick! High ratings! read more

Norik Renson is the go to for repair and fret work for guitarists and bass players in the LA area for decades! He made two delicious strat-style guitars that I use all the time for over 30 years. A great cat and talented guitar tech and builder. read more

They're great!!! Reasonable and quality work done by both of them!! Turn around time is great, Norik is very good in communicating and understands the musician needs!!! Keep up the great work boys!!!! read more

Simply the best of the best Norick and Brett a great Guitar Repair team you can trust that work to be top-notch and do the hard rare guitars both acoustic and electric if there's a problem with your guitar they can fix it no matter how old or how rare read more

I took my new bass to Norik for a set-up after hearing wonderful things about him. To say I was impressed doesn't begin to describe my experience. I am new to playing bass and wanted to be sure I got off to a good start with a bass that was properly set up. I am aware of some of the musicians Norik has worked with and wasn't even sure if he would allow me to be a customer since I am a novice. I was so wrong. Norik is not only a super nice guy but he spotted a problem with the bass as soon as he took it out of the case. He adjusted everything and I couldn't believe the difference in both how it feels to play it and how it sounds after Norik performed his magic. He's a humble genius and I can't imagine ever wanting to go elsewhere. read more

Absolutely excellent work done by these guys. My guitars, thanks to them, play and sound better than ever before. Perfectly reasonable pricing, as well. Highly recommend. read more

Norik & Friends at Renson guitar shop are friendly, professional & top-shelf luthiers who came highly recommended...I know I can always trust in them to do excellent work. As a matter of fact writing this reminds me I have some work that needs done so I'll be headed by to see them soon. read more

This is definitely the place for set ups. I had an odd request to set a bass in C standard and this is the only place that made my bass sound better than when it was new. read more

Really nice guys that do great work with a quick turnaround. Thanks again guys, see you soon!