My love for guitars started more than 20 years ago. My first guitar was a hand me down from my brother, a Vox Starstream XII. I wish I still had that guitar; I saw one sell on E-bay for $3000.00.

I have played in the Cincinnati area with various bands since the late 70s.

I've bought and traded dozens of guitars, now owning over 50. I’ve always worked on my own guitars, reading everything I could and ordering every repair video available. Several years ago, my brother in-law started working at Mars Music of Cincinnati. He told me about Neil Harrell back in the guitar repair shop needing help. After talking with Neil, he offered me the opportunity to work with him. Together Neil and I built a successful business and in 2001 we added Seth Westfall, a third Luthier, to the team. We repaired and set up guitars for everyone from beginners to professional artists. Visitors to the former Mars location have included Peter Frampton, Bootsy Collins, Members of KingsX, Billy Sheehan (Bassist with Mr. Big & David Lee Roth), Jennifer Batten (Guitarist for Michael Jackson & Jeff Beck), Scotti Anderson (Award winning guitarist) and the NFL's Tim Krumrie and Anthony Munos. When Mars went out of business, we worked out of Willis Music of Florence and out of our individual shops. We then came back to the Mars location when Sam Ash moved into the building.

Today Neil and Seth have moved on to other endeavors, and I am the sole Luthier at Sam Ash.

I’ve repaired just about every stringed instrument you can think of. I am qualified to work on all stringed instruments. Martin, BC Rich, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Washburn, Guild, Fender, Gretsch, Jackson, E.S.P., Hamer, Ibanez, Taylor, Vox, PRS, Parker, Dean, etc.

As a full-fledged luthier, I now build and repair guitars in my home shop. I am a member of Guild of American Luthiers, Midwest Luthiers Guild, and the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans.

In 2000 I studied along with Dan Erlewine, Don MacRostie, and Jamon Zieler under the guidance of Buzz Feiten and Greg Bach to learn the new Buzz Feiten Tuning System. I am now one of a very few authorized retrofitters in the country.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone. Or, just come in and see me at Sam Ash of Springdale.