John Jenkins has been enthusiastic about guitars for years.
He has been working at repairing, restoring, and recycling guitars for more than a decade, and has begun offering those services to the public in Golden with the opening of his new business, Small Town Guitars.
Jenkins is luthier certified, which is someone who builds and repairs string instruments, like guitars. Being certified means that customers have the extra assurance that Jenkins is educated and skilled in guitar building and repairs.
He sees the new business like giving a second life to guitars that might otherwise be discarded. If the instrument can be fixed, Jenkins can do it. He understands that a lot of repairs come from a sentimental place, and works with people to ensure they are getting the service they need.
Jenkins is offering full service guitar repairs at Off The Wall on 9th Avenue N. He aims to provide affordable used guitars to people who might not want to shop for a brand new one.
“I want to keep guitars in circulation,” Jenkins said, adding that people in Golden might be able to find a better quality guitar through his services, for a better price.
Small Town Guitars will repair guitars people bring to Jenkins, and he will be busy searching around the area for other guitars he can buy and repair for resale.
Jenkins has 15 years of experience, and apprenticed in New Brunswick for nine months before attending art of lutherie school in Saskatchewan in 2002.
Small Town Guitars will be available in town at Off The Wall on Tuesdays beginning June 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. There, he will be selling guitars and doing some on-site work. Most of the repairs will be done in his workshop.
If anyone has a guitar they would like serviced, they can call Jenkins at 250-348-2371, or e-mail repairs@smalltownrevival.ca. For more information about the services he offers, go to www.smalltownguitars.ca.
