Meet Our January 2025 Luthier
Meet Tom Evanchuck from Northeast Ohio.
1. How did you first get into guitar repair?
We had just had our second child, and I was a stay-at-home dad. My guitar started making a weird noise, so I needed to get it fixed. I took it to the local luthier—though “local” meant over an hour away. This guy came highly recommended, and I give him a lot of credit for sparking my interest. The way he talked about the repair was almost like a step-by-step explanation of how to do it, and I was so intrigued.
I bought Dan Erlewine’s book on repairs, but it was actually my wife who found the Southeast Guitar Repair Academy. I quickly signed up, and thanks to my second son not sleeping through the night, I worked through the training fast. He also spent a lot of time at the bench with me—so I call him an honorary luthier!
From there, I opened my doors. Being a local musician for over a decade, I had a good network, so word of mouth spread quickly. I also teamed up with a local music shop whose guitar tech had just quit, and they started outsourcing their work to me—and still do.
- What was the most challenging repair job you’ve ever worked on?
A mandolin from 1912. I didn’t even want to take it on because I was so intimidated. I quoted every detail of what was needed—hoping they’d say, “No, it’s not worth it.” Instead, they said, “Great! How long will it take?” I told them over a year—and it did take that long.
With help from Barrett and other skilled luthiers, I accomplished what I thought was impossible, and the client couldn’t have been happier.
- What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Bringing life back into guitars or other instruments that are presumed lost or unrepairable. When an instrument means a lot to someone, and others have told them to just throw it out and buy something new, it’s rewarding to fix it and give it back, not just working but looking good.
- Which aspect of guitar repair do you enjoy the most?
This is tough. Electronics—I like them when they’re done! But most of the restoration process is enjoyable—crack repair, finishing, binding, and so on. I’m colorblind, so color matching is tough for me, but nailing it is the most enjoyable part.
- What are some common mistakes you see in guitars brought in for repair?
Lately, setups have been a common issue. I’ve also seen an uptick in neck resets gone bad, surprisingly from guitars sold at big-box stores. Not that the stores are doing the work, but they’re selling these guitars.
If you’re unsure about your purchase—even from places like Sweetwater—take it to your local luthier. In the past six months, I’ve helped people get new guitars or refunds by inspecting their instruments and pointing out issues. Every time, the stores have taken them back or replaced them.
- How do you keep up with new techniques and tools in the guitar repair industry?
I follow Southeast Guitar Repair and other luthiers online. I’ll warn you: follow these accounts for hidden gems of knowledge or tool tips, not just for showy content.
The good and bad thing about guitar repair is that it’s like a beehive—there are a million ways to do the same thing. Don’t become a gatekeeper if you get into this work.
- What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a guitar tech?
Success in this life, in the words of Bob Dylan, is waking up in the morning, going to bed at night, and doing what you want in between. If this is the career you want, treat it like that. Otherwise, make it a hobby or something you do every now and then.
- What trends or innovations are you seeing in guitar technology?
3D printing jigs.
- Can you tell us about a repair project that really tested your skills?
I’m still working on one. A friend’s guitar had a big hole in the front, and the repair got away from me. I ended up with a solid but ugly fix. To fix that, I had to sand down the top to get the color to match. It worked for a while, but I’d unknowingly thinned out another spot while sanding, and it eventually broke under tension.
Now, I’ve ripped the face off and am in the process of cutting and creating a whole new top.
- How do you work with musicians to understand their needs and deliver the best results?
I’ve been a musician since I was a kid, so I try to think about what I’d want. During the intake process, I ask questions to figure out exactly what the customer is looking for.
Some people are super particular, and I’m upfront about whether I can meet their expectations. Others don’t really know what they want, so I try to find out what annoys them that they’ve never thought to fix.
- What’s one piece of gear you can’t live without in your workshop?
A neck rest. Keep it simple. Otherwise i'd write too much about a specific thing for each repair.
You always need something to lay the guitar on, and a neck rest can be just about anything that won’t damage the guitar.
- How has your career as a guitar tech influenced your own playing?
Honestly, it’s helped me be more aware of pressure and technique, but I feel like the shoemaker who never has time to take care of their own shoes. My guitars don’t get the attention they deserve!
- What’s next for you in your career as a guitar tech?
I’d love to open a storefront. This area could use a solid repair shop because everything here is home-based or at big-box stores with long lead times and high prices.
(if you’re looking to franchise in the Midwest—Cleveland, Ohio—let me know!)
- Any last thoughts or advice for the guitar repair community?
There are so many opportunities in this line of work if you can handle the ups and downs—not just in workflow but in the business overall. It’s no different from being a musician. You have to be a shark—keep swimming, or you die.
Sometimes that means hustling for business and networking. Sometimes it’s slowly working through big projects. And sometimes it’s accepting that you’ll work day and night to keep people coming back.
If you’re slow, break a beater guitar and fix it. Email local schools to see if they need work. Go to Guitar Center and offer to help with overflow repairs. Find a mentor—I’ve got one who lives super far away but always helps when I’m stuck. Thanks, Barrett!
Check out Tom at his shop Tom Evanchuck Guitar Repair.
www.tomevanchuckguitarrepair.com
email:[email protected]
phone- (216) 904-6099
