Chris Camp is a lifelong musician and self-taught luthier, who began building and repairing guitars fresh out of college in 1975 ‚ and hasn’t stopped since. His education came from one of the most storied workshops in music history: Randy Wood’s Old Time Pickin’ Parlor in Nashville, where he spent nearly four years learning the trade alongside legends like Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Danny Gatton, and Charlie Daniels, and doing repair work for artists ranging from Aerosmith to Jimmy Buffett. That immersive apprenticeship ‚ building acoustic flattops, solid body electrics, archtops, and even a 36-string Celtic harp entirely by hand ‚ laid the foundation for a career built on instinct, craftsmanship, and a deep love of music.
Now based in Escondido, California for over two decades, he has built a thriving shop serving musicians of all styles and skill levels. He is a C.F. Martin Warranty Service Certified technician, a distinction earned through a longstanding relationship with the Martin Guitar Company, and has worked on hundreds of Martin instruments throughout Southern California. His repair work spans everything from standard setups and fret jobs to complex restorations ‚ including many instruments with special sentimental value, passed down through families and brought back to life with the same care as a beloved family heirloom.