Frequently Asked Questions

The staff at Calico Guitarworks has a combined 25+ years of professional guitar repair experience. Sharing the knowledge that we have attained in this focused pursuit is at the core of what we do. We aim to conduct business in a courteous and professional manner and expect to be treated in kind.

You may notice that we do some things a bit differently than other shops; Our advice, policies, and recommendations may occasionally challenge preconceived notions. We ask that clients remain receptive to new methods and trust that our ultimate goal is to help them make music.

The word “Calico” is used to describe a tri-color coat pattern that can be found in cats. Pronounced “ka·luh·kow”, for our logo, we have stylized the pattern to resemble a “Sunburst” finish one might find on a Fender guitar.

The business previously operated under the name “Guitar Repair Long Island” from 2016-2023. While the former name served us well, it certainly let clients know where we were and what we did, much has changed in the years since the business began; The time felt right to rebrand to a name with more personality.

We prefer to communicate via Email for all service inquiries. If you have any questions, please use our contact form or email: Erik@calicoguitarworks.com

We find that email has several advantages vs. the phone.

Rather than interrupting an appointment with a client or risking distraction while working on an instrument, you can reach out at your convenience and we will answer when able to give your question our full attention. 

Email is checked frequently during business hours, so you won’t be waiting long for a response.

You can send us pictures if necessary and we may include links to relevant information in our response. This process also allows for the easy recall of prior conversations should the need arise. 

There are certainly times when it is beneficial to talk on the phone, but we strongly prefer Email whenever practical.

Payment is due at the time of pickup.

Cash is preferred. For your convenience, we also accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express). No checks please.

We are required to collect New York State sales tax for all sales and services performed.

Calico Guitarworks is proud to stand behind our work with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.

This warranty does not extend to any instrument that has been subjected to poor humidity care, adjusted or otherwise modified after leaving the shop, or to matters that can reasonably be attributed to limitations of the product serviced. Our warranty also does not apply to strings, or any customer supplied components.

If you encounter any issues during the warranty period, simply contact us to arrange a follow up appointment to evaluate any concerns. In the unlikely event that the need for a refund for products or services arises, all reimbursements will be issued via check.

In our experience, look-alike, kit-built and parts-guitars are consistently a disappointment to the discerning player. Due to a lack of standardization, they are often also more difficult to service.

Though they may photograph well and receive favorable online reviews, clients seeking a setup typically discover that substantial fretwork or other major repairs would be required in order to accommodate the request.

The work necessary to achieve a level of playability consistent with our shop’s standards is likely not cost effective on a cut-price instrument. As such, we no longer accept work on these items.

Counterfeit guitars: A counterfeit guitar is any instrument that bears the brand or trademark of a maker other than the one who built it. These may also be referred to as a “clone” or “copy”. While we pass no judgement on your decision to purchase a forgery, we will not service these instruments.

We find it necessary to prioritize jobs that we can see through from start to finish. As such, we are unable to take on piecemeal work or requests to fix unsatisfactory repairs / installations that were performed elsewhere.

While we wish you the best of luck with the project, we are also unable to provide technical support to guide you through the completion of a D.I.Y. repair.

Condition is everything with instruments. More often than not, when a prospective client inquires about repair of a inherited instrument, the conversation soon turns to how it has been stored in an attic or basement for many years.

While the instrument may outwardly appear to just need a new set of strings, or the action adjusted, with  humidity control being such a crucial factor in instrument maintenance, many times these instruments require extensive repair work to be made playable. They may also suffer from the degradation of plastic hardware such as pickguards, and tuning keys.

Unless the instrument was made by an iconic brand like Fender, Gibson, or Martin, the necessary repairs will likely exceed the resale value of the instrument.

We sympathize with the memories that may be associated with a particular instrument. However, for items of limited intrinsic value, we generally believe that it is best to display them in the condition that they were left by a loved one. 

Due to high demand locally, at this time, we operate on a carry-in / carry-out basis.

Shipping and Receiving of repair work is currently unavailable.