Lay’s Guitar Shop has been a trusted name in guitar repair and restoration since Virgil Lay opened the shop in Akron, Ohio in 1962. Over the decades, the shop has worked on instruments for legendary musicians including Joe Walsh, Phil Keaggy, and Jack Bruce, and even shaved the neck on Jimmy Page’s iconic Les Paul #1.

Current owner Dan Shinn, who started as a guitar tech under Virgil in 1979 and took over in the late ’80s, has expanded the shop’s reputation to an international level. The refinish and restoration department, led by Joel Shinn for over 25 years, is so highly regarded that “Finished by Lay’s Guitar Shop” serves as a selling point in major guitar publications. Fender, Gibson, and Martin regularly recommend their services, and luthiers nationwide send instruments specifically for their finish work.

Beyond vintage guitar work on classic Fenders, Gibsons, and Martins, Lay’s offers custom guitar builds and handles everything from fretwork and neck resets to Les Paul conversions. The shop’s combination of old-school expertise and meticulous attention to detail has made it a destination for serious players and collectors seeking authentic restoration and professional instrument repair.