I have owned 3 GV Rubio's over the years. Two of them were Hauser models and one was an Elite. All three were absolutely pristine in fit and finish. I purchased a new 2025 Estudio which I received less than a year ago and it arrived with the following issues right out of the guitar case: - 2 gouges on the first fret of the fingerboard, under the second treble string. - Many finish cracks on the rosette and light colored sapwood (Bank and Sides). - Where the neckwood and fingerboard wood meet, on the treble side, does not have a completely smoothed out finish. I contacted GV Rubio's business, via Armand Arnazzi, describing the issues I had and did not get any response. I have never had this type of treatment before with past purchases. Quality control for GV Rubio's classical guitars would seem to be non-existent at this point in time and I would recommend avoiding GV Rubio as a custom classical guitar luthier. Needless to say I will not be purchasing any other custom classical guitars from GV Rubio and I also will pass on this information to friends and family in the music community. read more

I learned about this shop while I was doing my undergraduate study at UCLA for classical guitar. They are constantly moving guitars and making new ones. You may find some of their guitars at Guitar Salon International in Santa Monica. Armand is the go-to associate for any questions. I like to reach out via email and I appreciate his responsiveness. I would 100% recommend coming here for any classical guitar strings because their prices are better than any big brand store. They are cash only but they do not charge tax when I picked up strings. About 4 years ago I purchased an L.R. Baggs acoustic guitar pickup system and they helped install the hardware. I brought my guitar in to have a back buzz issue checked out and Armand found that there were erroneous vibrations coming from the sound board by the pickup system. Seemed to be a loose wire buzzing against the sound board. They kept at it and resolved the issue for me and I could not be more appreciative of their service so here's a 5 star review. I look forward to visiting more and continue support my local business! Thank you Armand and German! read more

Vazquez Guitar Shop - Luthier made by German himself - Guitar Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

the owner is SO nice! i came in to see what he'd suggest to make my guitar a little easier to play (i'm a beginner) and he suggested lowering my action. he insisted on doing it for free right then, took him 3 minutes! thought the least i could do to thank him would be to leave a review! amazing business please go here! read more

I was looking all over the LA area for small tuning peg screws for my acoustic guitar. Found this place, a very tranquil and professional looking store. He had what i needed, but could not process my debit card, so he just gave me the screws for free. It was very nice of him, and I recommend checking this shop out l. read more

Great shop very good prices and great people definitely recommend to any guitar players who need strings or a guitar fixed read more

Vazquez Guitar Shop - Store - Guitar Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

German makes amazing flamenco and classical guitars. Both German and Armand are super kind, humble and easy to work with to get the guitar that you want. Highly recommend! read more

Very small tucked away repair shop a little dusty but they were very nice, quick, affordable and were able to replace guitar strings . They suggested for me to tune the guitar and recommend an app how to tune the guitar fo my 8yr old. I ran outta tIme or else I would have asKed them to do it . read more

A great gem in LA. German Vazquez Rubio is a master luthier. He builds great sounding classical and flamenco guitars for very reasonable prices. I've traveled and tried some fine guitars and his guitars sound better than some that cost double or triple what he charges. The shop also sells some guitar variants like Mexican vihuela that are built in Paracho for those of you in need of ethnic instruments. The business manager there, Armand is so friendly and a wonderful flamenco guitarist. If you're in need of a fine guitar or some repairs done in the area, this is the place to go. Make sure you make appointments if you're interested in checking out his guitars. read more

Vazquez Guitar Shop - Guitar Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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A guitar shop in Pasadena referred me to this shop for lowering action on my Alhambra 8P. I made an appointment with the sales manager and went on time. There is parking on the street next to the store. Armand the sales manager showed to Mr. Rubio. He trimmed the saddle for $20 in about 15 minutes while I waited in the store. Armand showed me some low end models to play. I found the guitars are made of German Spruce but sounded very warm and have great projection. The action is low and the body is small so very easy to hold. The only problem is I have to come up with 5K to have a near concert model. But I think it would be something to do in my lifetime to play a luthier guitar. So no need to look too far to Spain, we have good guitars here. He also had one guitar with a very small pickup. read more

I was worried because I'm beginning to learn, with a cheap, old guitar, and not a lot of money. I just wanted some strings and it wasn't clear if this was the right place because everyone else here seems to be a guitar nut getting custom instruments carved out of rare woods and strung with angel's hairs. They were friendly and patient in explaining what factors to consider for both strings and learning in general. Their prices are good for what they have, the one star docked is for the small selection. Overall glad to have a local shop nearby with friendly people who don't mind explaining to a new person. Open sign is real small and it might look closed as you drive by. read more

Took my guitar here for some work, not only with a gentleman very nice. But they did incredible work, would definitely recommend this place to anybody looking for a nice guitar set up. read more

So glad I found this hidden gem. The owner has been there since the 60s. He does nylon and steel string acoustic work. Prices are very reasonable and the turnaround time is very quick. read more

Been here twice to have my guitar repaired/strings changed. Affordable, fast service, and the guy with ponytail is really nice. Would definitely recommend! read more

I never thought that I was gonna actually come back to yelp to recommend places for people. Because I was going to yelp Only when a terrible place shows up and irritatates people. But sorry to myself, I have to do this. I can't let this go as a customer, who had a great service. This place deserves the better recognition. This is a place that I accidently found that I sincerely recommend for people who are looking for the best of bests in guitar repair in a moderate price. You can read about this place and the luthier in their official website (www.guitarsbygvr.com/), so I won't waste your time what this place is like. I'll just give you a straight ranking under my experience of getting a guitar repair service in all over Los Angeles for the last 6 years, since you are in a hurry where to take in your guitar.(Electric, classic, acoustic, etc all kinds). I picked the major places I used to go to. There were way more places I've been to but these are the places that I have a rigid opinion. 1. Vazquez Guitar Shop This would be the place I will go, from now on, no more looking for where to take my guitar in. I'll die for this luthier. The intonation of my guitar is perfect after a setup. Oh Please.believe me I'm so critical on intonation and I've never been 100% satisfied after a set up in any shop. String heights is just exactly how I asked for. How this luthier did to my guitar is immaculate. I did a crack repair for my acoustic and asked for a set up, and retouch for all the frets. My guitar became new in a very affordable price. I've been looking for this kind of sensitive work and very few provided this service in Los Angeles . As a musician, I want my guitar treated like music and this place showed it to me how the repair should be done!. 2. Asken guitar http://www.yelp.com/biz/asken-guitars-los-angeles#query:asken%20guitar Go to this place when Vazquez is out of town. haha sorry for Fren, but I can't help to recommend for people to see Vazquez first since I believe his work is so way up in Heaven. Asken guitar was the place I'd been liking so far for the last few years, until I found Vazquez guitar shop Nice nice job on my chet atkins guitar. 3. Eric's guitar shop http://www.yelp.com/biz/erics-guitar-shop-inc-van-nuys It's in Van Nuys, it's kinda far out but Eric and his crew did a good job on my guitar in a cheap price. I wasn't happy about the intonation on my telecaster well I have to say 90%? This place is still better than any other places. nice friendly environment is plus. If I live near by, well I still would go drive an hour to take in my guitar to Vazquez but if you don't want, this place is good to go. 4. Wild West guitar http://wildwestguitars.com/about.php in Riverside, it's far if you are not around but provides a great guitar repair service. I took in my gibson one time, also went there a couple of times to check out Diezel amps, in overall, I was happy about their service. they set up my guitar kinda awkward but I asked for them to set up the way I wanted and it turned out to be ok. 5. Neely custom guitars well, as I remember, David used to work at Gibson Factory. I took in my gibson and tele for 2 times. but this place is very expensive as I remember. and I couldn;t be happy one time cause of the price. but when I brought my tele for re-fretting, I was very very 100% pleasant about the result, even though it was pricy. Based on my 2-3 times visiting, he always tries to give lectures to people, who bring their guitars, which I don't want to hear it. I need to say this place charges too much like an old basketball player. 6. Andy Brauer Guitar I had to bring my friend's bass amp to fix the input jack and it took a month to fix it. hmmm. and I brought my telecaster just to set up, it took for 2 weeks. hmm.. and wasn't really happy about his service. the intonation is all too out. hmm probably I would never go there. 7. The Fretted Frog Acoustic Guitar Store Here we go! NEVER EVER GO TO THIS PLACE FOR ANY REPAIR. please read my review for this store. this is the worst guitar service that I've gotten ever in my life. The good thing about this place is that they have excellent custom guitars and and comfortable air. but THAT IS IT. NEVER EVER WANT TO RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO NO ONE. IF YOU LOVE THE GUITAR YOU HAVE, and YOU CAN BRING IT THERE TO RUIN IT. and these guys' Yelp-review-controlling-technique is amazingly good so is the location read more

Best shop ever!! Amazing Flamenco guitars and staff. German is an extremely talented Master Luthier. Highly recommend this guitar shop.

This place is an absolute gem! I've had my guitar fixed by them twice and the work has been flawless. This will be the only place I'll go for repairs from now on. Best prices and the staff is very friendly and welcoming too. Glad to have this level of craftsmanship so accessible. read more

They make their own guitars and let me tell you, they're awesome! They also sell any guitar accesories you might need... And they were very friendly and service full. Definitely recommended read more

If there is a better place to go for repairs and refinishing, I would like to know where it is. I doubt that any such place exists. These guys are masters and the quality of their work is amazing. I don't live in the LA area, but it was worth the additional cost to ship my guitar to them and to have it shipped back. I could not be happier with the work they did. My classical guitar never sounded better and never looked better. Nice people to work with as well. read more

I read and was impressed by the reviews on this guitar shop, and was delighted that it was in my neighborhood, but after going there and taking my vintage guitars to be set up--it would have been worth the drive if I wasn't in the neighborhood! Mr. German Vasquez is not only a master luthier, he is a very nice and honest person. His manager, Armand was also a pleasure. In checking out 2 of my guitars, he wouldn't do a set up as he was was concerned about lowering the strings any further because of possible fret buzz, but he noticed that one of the saddles was plastic--and he replaced it with a bone saddle. After his set up. my other vintage guitar is definitely easier to play, as is my newer guitar. All of my guitars sound better for the visit and his prices were more than reasonable! Regarding his guitars, they are beautiful--both in craftsmanship, looks, and sound. I'll get in that line of other reviewers that hope to have one of his guitars in my collection one day! read more

German Vazquez is a superior luthier. This is one of the best shops in Los Angeles. German brought my 20 yr old Ramirez back to life, and made it playable again. Very reasonable rates, quick turnaround, trustworthy, and the guitars he makes are exquisite. read more