Jim Cat Custom Guitars brings a unique perspective to the Long Island guitar scene through owner Jim Catalano’s innovative approach to instrument building. A lifelong guitar enthusiast, Jim merged his professional upholstery background with his passion for guitars to create his signature specialty: upholstered guitars that stand out both visually and sonically.

Based in Bohemia, this boutique shop specializes in custom guitar builds tailored to each player’s specifications and budget. Jim’s luthier expertise spans multiple body styles, from Les Paul and Strat-style builds to Tele and 335-inspired designs. His upholstered guitars showcase meticulous craftsmanship that blends traditional guitar construction with textile artistry, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind instruments.

Beyond his distinctive upholstered creations, Jim Cat builds custom partscasters and handles complete guitar setups to ensure optimal playability. The shop offers guitar repair services alongside its custom building work, with Jim’s attention to detail and understanding of instrument construction informing every fretwork adjustment and setup. Players looking for personalized service from an experienced guitar tech will find Jim’s collaborative approach refreshing, as he works directly with customers to bring their dream guitars to life.