McCabe’s Guitar Shop has been a Santa Monica institution since 1958, serving the local music community for over six decades. This multifaceted establishment combines instrument sales, music lessons, and a renowned concert venue with exceptional repair services handled by what they proudly call “the best luthiers west of the Mississippi.”

The repair shop addresses everything from routine guitar setups and buzzing frets to more complex restoration work on guitars, ukuleles, dulcimers, and other stringed instruments. Their skilled guitar techs handle repairs on the diverse range of instruments that flow through the shop, including steel string and nylon string guitars, banjos, mandolins, and even more exotic fare like bouzoukis and ouds. The shop also offers custom and boutique guitar builds for players seeking something truly unique.

Walk-ins are welcome at the repair counter, though customers can call ahead if preferred. McCabe’s backs their instrument sales with an impressive 3-year warranty covering setups, adjustments, and maintenance, reflecting the confidence their luthiers have in their fretwork and technical expertise. The shop has maintained its reputation as a gathering place for musicians seeking quality instrument repair and knowledgeable service.