How The Fret Shop came to be:
My name is Andries, and I am an Internationally qualified Luthier with more than 2 decades’ experience in designing, repairing, improving and building guitars.
What started as a dream at the age of 16, blossomed into a professional career of nearly 30 years.
Studies:
After school I studied to become a woodwork Teacher, but in my final year had an opportunity to study in Georgia Atlanta in the USA to become a Luthier.
I did not think twice and hopped on the first flight to Atlanta where I spent the next 2 years studying and mastering the art of making, improving and repairing guitars, and was offered an opportunity to teach fellow Luthiers at the same Luthiery School I attended.
Opening my first shop:
Once I returned from the USA I started repairing guitars for various music shops at night, while delivering cakes during the day.
Before long one of these retail music shops saw the potential I had to offer in drawing more customers and increasing sales, and I started a small repair shop from within their shop. Because of my interest in fretwork, I named it The Fret Shop, go figure!
I spent the next 16 years there before taking a huge leap of faith, moving to Auckland New Zealand with my wife and 2 daughters.
A new start:
The rest, as they say, is history. Though it has been one of the toughest decisions I have ever made, it has also been the most rewarding.
I love my new country and fellow countrymen, and feel I can truly build long term symbiotic relationships with my clients, and offer an immaculate service at a reasonable price.
It has been a slow journey, building up a name and trust and starting over in my 40’s, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
Thanks to each and every one of you who have supported and trusted me during this new start. It has been, and continues to be, an absolutely amazing experience getting to know you all.
Learn more about us:
To learn more, visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/guitarsnz/ or read our latest blog online https://guitarrepairs.co.nz/blog/