Fantastic Musical Instruments has built its reputation in Pasadena on meticulous craftsmanship and deep knowledge of stringed instruments. While the shop is primarily known for orchestral string instruments like upright basses, cellos, and violins, their expertise extends to custom boutique guitar builds and vintage guitar work. The luthiers at FMI bring the same exacting standards to guitar repair that they apply to their renowned custom bass setups‚shaping fingerboards, nuts, and bridges to match each player’s unique style.

The shop’s approach to instrument repair emphasizes precision and customization rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Their technicians understand that proper fretwork and setup can transform an instrument’s playability, whether addressing issues on a vintage guitar or building a custom piece from the ground up. This hands-on philosophy has earned FMI a loyal following among musicians who appreciate attention to detail.

Beyond guitar work, the store maintains an extensive inventory of bowed instruments, accessories, and specialized items like their signature Weedwacker bass strings. Their custom shop capabilities demonstrate a commitment to treating each instrument as an individual project deserving careful analysis and expert execution.