Customer Testimonials
You don't have to take our word for it... Here is what some of your fellow musicians have to say about Bill's work!
Michael Anthony - New Mexico jazz guitar great:
"Thanks for all the great care of my guitars over the years!"
Lewis Winn - New Mexico jazz guitar great, and teacher:
"Bill is the best damn guitar mechanic I know. His knowledge is vast, his experience is exhaustive and his resume is very impressive but the most important thing about him is that he listens. He takes the time to get to know his customers, what they do with their instruments and what both need. Then he'll tend to those needs perfectly while making sure to tell you exactly what he's doing and why. Along the way he'll cheerfully regale you with gobs of great stories and lore galore. I've never been less than 100% satisfied with Bill's work, I'd recommend him to anyone without reservation and I'm proud to call him my friend. Amen."
Dan Dowling - New Mexico blues/jazz guitarist:
"As a working guitar player and instructor I have come to rely on Bill Richardson's skills as a guitar technician. His careful attention to detail and analytical approach to guitar construction and playablility have time and again solved problems with my guitars and my students' instruments. I highly recommend him as the person to see if your guitar, electric bass, mandolin, or banjo is needing some attention."
Steff Chanat - New Mexico mandolin goddess:
"To a musician, an instrument is an extension of their self. Bill isn't just a service provider, he's a caretaker--he teaches me about my mandolin's "anatomy" and how to care for it. With bill it's a partnership... he's right up there with Harlen, my 4runner's mechanic of 15 years. And bonus--he's an avid supporter of local women's music! Bill, you ROCK! Thanks."
Rick Dorin - New Mexico guitarist for Los Radiators:
"I knew Bill from his days at Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, well known to fanciers of high-end guitars and the guitar repair epicenter of the San Francisco bay area. I’d taken several of my guitars there for electronics, set-ups, and repairs, and found Bill the go-to guy who enjoyed sharing his wealth of information with the customers. So when I heard about a new and fantastic guitar mechanic in ABQ, I was amazed to find Bill had packed up his tent and opened shop in Nob Hill. Bill is outspoken, but always on behalf of the guitar, and entirely competent, practical, and knowledgeable in the world of both acoustic and electric stringed instruments. He is a tireless educator, providing help and advice to the hapless player that he might better understand and care for his rig. In spite of his depth of knowledge and pride of workmanship, Bill has the good taste and sense to listen to the individual player and customize the setup to suit that style of play. Bill is a great resource for the community of players and, if guitars could speak, they would name him a generous and understanding advocate for their good play and general welfare."
Cliff Goldmacher - Award-winning engineer, producer, and owner of recording studios in Nashville & New York City:
"My Martin J40-MC and I have known Bill for almost twenty years. We're both fans."
Roger Ralphs - Santa Fe musician:
"As a guitar player and collector, living in Santa Fe, with my own backlog of lack-luster experiences at the hands of so-called 'guitar technicians' here in New Mexico, I was so pleased to have received a referral to Bill from a reliable and trusted West Coast vintage guitar dealer. Having been 'spoiled' growing up in the company of several first-rate professional guitar mechanics on both Coasts, I knew immediately upon our first conversation, that Bill had all of the requisite years of shop and road experience, not to mention 'wit and wisdom,' to meet, and exceed, my own guitar maintenance needs, and those of my friends. The man is a one-off… A real master of his craft. We are very fortunate to have him with us."
Jeff Scroggins - New Mexico master banjo player:
Thank you again for the excellent fret work that you did on my banjo. This has been the best week of practice that I have ever experienced and I know that a lot of that has to do with the improved tone, etc. associated with your work! I cannot say how things will go at the National Bluegrass Banjo contest this weekend in Winfield, Kansas, but if I am fortunate enough to win once again, you will have played a significant role.
Michael O'Brien - New Mexico bassist for Edith Grove & Bottle Tree:
"Bill has been working on all my basses since 1992, from Alembics to Sadowskys. He has a knack for reducing an instrument's oftentimes complex requirements to their simplest elements and then applying what he's learned from his many years as an ace tech. I've seen instruments that were literally in pieces restored and made playable by his hands. You really don't know how good your instrument can sound until you let Bill work on it. And, you just might play better as well."
Andy Latimer - Of Camel:
"Bill put a strat together for me many years ago and it is still the guitar I play most of all. I don't think I could give a better testimonial than that."
Rick English - Of Kingsbury English band:
"Bill has been a great friend and guitar guru to me for years. He has advised me on the purchase of all my vintage guitars and amps. His knowledge of guitars and amps as well as his deep connections in the worlds of rock and instruments have made him an invaluable part of my musical life. On top of that, he is a killer repairman and can set up a guitar like nobody else. Rock on Mr. Bill!!!"
Gary "Gator" Millhollon - New Mexico guitarist from Brother E & The Blue Rhythm Kings:
"Bill Richardson is an outstanding guitar tech with tremendous knowledge of acoustics and electrics. A couple of years ago, I gave him my (all original) '68 Paul Black Beauty. This guitar is very special to me as South Texas bluesman T-Bone Turner left it to me in his will about 15 years ago. The guitar plays better than it has ever played. Billy is especially sensitive to the integrity of the instrument--cosmetically, historically, and from a structural perspective. When I lived in Austin, I used Erlewine on a few of my guitars and, while I had very good results, I must say that Bill's attention to your requests and needs, and his vast knowledge of guitars makes him my favorite tech, by far..."
Pat Markley - New Mexico guitarist with Shot in the Dark:
"It's hard to find a guitar tech of your caliber especially in New Mexico. I'm very picky about my sound and equipment, so after several bad experiences with other technicians in Denver, Las Vegas and New Mexico, I'm lucky to have found you in my back yard. I've been playing guitar for 35 years and I can honestly say you're the best technician I've ever had the pleasure of letting work on my equipment. You have done flawless work without any need for re-work. Fan for life!"