RMS Guitar Repair Testimonials

Actual customer e-mail review / testimonials:

Reviews by Google users

	Mike

"You don't have to live anywhere near Chicago to benefit from RMS's expert repair/tech services. Over the last couple of years I have sent guitars from Idaho to RMS without hesitation knowing that the shipping price didn't even matter when so much is at stake....as in a prized instrument ! I just sent another one off today. I can barely explain my utter amazement at Bob's skill and experience level plus valuable advice he offers regarding any issue relating to getting just what I hope to accomplish along with preserving the asset of the guitar. Seriously, I am not sure where to find better repair/upgrade/tech..etc, service. Don't miss a chance to experience Bob's truly expert repair work. A major benefit of working with RMS is the interactivity that occurs as Bob explains the options, and we as customers, have a greater sense of involvement as opposed to passing your guitar off to a mysterious back room for repair by who knows who. You can tell I am totally impressed and satisfied."

	Karl

"If you live in the western suburbss of Chicago and you need luthier work done, you should seriously consider RMS Guitar Repair. I had a bass I wanted to modify, and Bob could not have been more personable and professional to deal with. We discussed the work I wanted to have done, and I was presented with a series of options that could be pursued. More importantly, there were a couple of things I wanted to have done that Bob felt would not impact the instrument at all, and he explained why I might be better off to not have the work done. When I brought my bass to him, he gave me a thorough explanation of what he planned to do to the bass and gave me a spot-on estimate for the work. I could not be any happier with his level of craftsmanship and now I have the bass I know I'll cherish for years to come. Thanks again, Bob!"

Here is his guitar

	Dennis

"I have used Bob's services several times now. He first did some work on my G&L ASAT with a few worn frets and intonation issues. When I picked it up after his work I could not have been happier with his care and quality. Now to the real part of my review. I bought an Eastwood Classic 12 String and wanted the strings set up like a Rickenbacker with the low strings above the octave strings. At first I wanted the nut replaced to accomplish this, but he told me of another way of doing it for a lot less cash. I cannot get technical so to cut to the chase he worked his magic on it and once again I could not be more satisfied with his work. Oh, by the way all my guitars are left handed and it presented no problem to him. Bob is a great luthier, guitar wizard and all around great friendly guy (not to mention a Beatles lover). You will not be sorry if and when you bring beloved guitar to him. Bob is a TRUE professional without the big head and know it all snobbery."

	John B.

"Bob is simply the best! He's a master at his craft! Last year Bob set up my new Fender 2010 Stratocaster as well as switched out the pickups. The intonation across the neck was perfect and the action was set just as I requested. This summer things were a little out of whack with the warmer weather so I had him do a quick adjustment - guitar feels and sounds great again! So I just brought him my 1967 Gretsch Country Gentleman that no one else seemed able to set up correctly (due to a unique bridge situation). Bob found the perfect placement for the bridge for intonation and set it in place with some glue that is reverseable if desired in the future. He set the action beautifully - this guitar has never played as well as it does now. Bottom line, Bob is a pro. Bring him your gear and you will be glad you did!"

"Living abroad in the land of no luthiers (that speak English at least!), I desperately needed some work on one of my guitars to get it back into playing condition... After an Internet search I decided to go with Bob. I got a good vibe from the website and though his e-mails. I mailed Bob a worn out Strat clone across the Atlantic with the following work that needed to be done; replace the neck, pickup, install a Kahler bridge, and give it an amazing set up w/ super-low action.

...He chronicled the repair process with continual updates and pictures of how my guitar looked every step of the way. Bob walked me through everything he planned to do before he did anything, and he actually talked me out of some unnecessary work that I thought my guitar needed. Over the course of the repair process we sent no less than 20 e-mails back and forth to make sure I was getting the exact product I wanted when the work was done. I am not the easiest person to deal with (I've been told I am a bit of a perfectionist) and Bob thoroughly answered every question and concern I had with the absolute professionalism of the highest order.

Obviously one may have some concerns having someone performing such major work on one of their guitars on the other side of the world with the only contact being made through e-mail...but I am glad I did. I just received the finished product and it plays and sounds absolutely phenomenal. The way Bob basically took a box of spare parts and turned it into something special was nothing short of extraordinary. This is the guitar that I always wanted... the set-up is first class as well. This will out-perform any new $2,000 Charvel and it plays so good that I just promoted it from back-up to my primary guitar.

Bob, thanks again for your magic... and if I need any more custom work to be done you will be the first one I call!

Thanks again for an amazing job!"

Brian

Here is his guitar

Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 88

Re: Has anyone in Chicago Burbs used RMS guitar repair

I know this is an older post, but I just happened to see it and felt the need to share my opinion. There's two things that you need to do to a guitar:

play it
bring it to Bob at RMS Guitar Repair

It's his own business. By far the best repairman I've ever gone to. Super helpful, very honest, extremely knowledgeable, and the best around at what he does. Plus his prices are definitely some of the best around and he takes very good care of his customer's instruments (I've seen him sacrificing his own guitar by using its case for a customer's guitar that was waiting to be worked on). If you ever need work done again I can't stress enough how much you should go to Bob to get it done.

	Vlad K. Milwaukee, WI

" I almost don't want to post this review because I'm worried about this guy getting discovered bigtime and then I'll have to wait longer for appointments! But he deserves the credit and the business.

I drive almost two hours to take my acoustic & electric guitars & basses to Bob, and will never take them anywhere else ever again. I own six instruments and I think he's worked on them all! I've had guitar work done by dozens and dozens of different techs over the years, and nobody else can even come close to topping the top-notch service and fully customized setups this man does. The level of service and advice provided is lightyears beyond the competition.

You can tell that Bob really loves what he does, loves guitars, and genuinely cares about yours. He's a really warm and friendly person too, definitely a masterful guru of guitar wisdom. Setups are done the way I want them, with precision, even when I have a wacky tuning or string gauge request, he can make it happen.

Every time a friend plays one of my instruments, they comment on how well it plays. This is the reason."

	Tim l. Carol Stream, IL

"Bob is simply the best.
The most knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful repair guy I've found. Seriously, if you live near the northwest suburbs and you need a go-to guitar repair guy, give Bob a call. He runs RMS and does it all alone, so you know the guy you're talking to will be the guy working on your instrument, and he does perfect work everytime."

	Tim

"...Bob is the best guy around for handling your guitar. In my experience, he does the best work in the area, and he definitely has the best prices. He's very personable and always has time to answer your questions. EXTREMELY knowledgeable when it comes to guitars, especially Fenders and Gibsons. In fact, I sent him a question through email today about a guitar and he got back to me with an answer that could've come out of an encyclopedia! Just a wealth of knowledge. I had a Strat with vintage frets that kept fretting out on bends. He took a microscopic amount off the frets on the upper register of the neck, a not even noticeable amount, set it up, and now it's by far the best playing guitar I own. Also, he gives great expert advice and handles the instruments he works with like they were his own. Do yourself a favor and bring your guitar to Bob."

"Bob,

I got home and had a chance to really plug in the Washburn you set up for me. Everything was perfect! The tuning was spot on, string height was awesome! I thank you so much and you will be seeing a lot of my guitars in the near future.

Thanks again!"

Mike M.

Bob,

You have done what no other could achieve.... Made me happy!! Thanks again for your expertise. You are a very talented person. I will never touch adjustments again. Hope to see you soon.

John

	Keith

"Bob is the man!

...Bob was very professional and concise. He really aims to please and was really detailed about the work being done. The price for the setup was reasonable and my bass came back to me within the quoted timeframe. It plays like new with the action just the way I like it. This is my guitar guy from now on."

	John F.

"Bob is an awesome guy and knows how to run a business. And on top of all that, he does quality work! Patronize this man's business. He is great! Bob's patient, answers all questions, is upfront and honest, gives you a quote and sticks to it (bad experiences elsewhere with that), and gets the job done when he says he will. I brought my guitar in for a set up and after telling him what I was looking for, he talked me out of spending money with him because I would be better off spending my money on upgrades or a different guitar. How many businesses will do that nowadays? You better believe he is now my "guitar guy". He did some work on another one of my units and will see the rest of them in the near future. Thanks Bob!"

Robert,

I couldn't like my set up more. May even solve my pinky problem. Thanks again.

Mike

"Bob - I was playing the Tele last night and I'm blown away at how easy it plays - low action, no dead spots..."

Thanks again.

Brian H.

"Hi Bob,

You have a customer for life! That 12 string never played right from the day I got it, until now. In fact, none of my guitars (that you've set up) have ever played better."

Peace//Chris M

"This guy is unbelievable! I've had repetitive motion injury and want to be able to play guitar without flare-ups. Using light strings with action as low as possible, reduces pain & inflammation. Bob did what I thought was impossible - strings practically kissing the frets while playing beautifully up & down the whole neck.

Since that first job, I've returned many times. Besides superb fret jobs, dressings and setups, Bob has done electrical customization for me, various repairs, and brought a warped neck back to life. Often, he's pointed out alternate means of achieving the same goal which ended up working better than my original proposal, yet cost the same or even less. And every time, I'm treated with a friendly and respectful attitude.

Another great thing: He is almost obsessive in the amount of care with which he handles the instruments entrusted to him. I've encountered four luthiers so far, and Bob is the ONLY one who has returned my instruments in the same shape he got them - without creating new scratches, dings, or adding other damage. Folks, you just can't get better than this!"

If you wish to contact Alex yourself to ask further questions, he's here.

Some repairs I've done for Alex: