Guitar Repairs Brisbane
Melville Guitars is a fully equipped luthier’s workshop located in Kenmore, Brisbane. Guitar repairs and service have been a natural extension to guitar-building for Chris Melville. From his early beginnings in his grandfather’s workshop to becoming one who discovered his love for playing the guitar, to working with one of the world’s great guitar innovators, his depth of knowledge and industry experience adds another dimension to service and repair work. When matched with his crafting skills, it is a serious offer indeed for anyone wanting the most from their guitar-playing.
Acoustic guitars, Electric Guitars, Bass, Classical, Banjos, Mandolins
An important facet of Chris’s approach is consideration of the other half of the instrument…the player. Being able to understand how they play, what they want to hear, in what context do they play and even their physical size is important in making the instrument work, but also, in making it ‘fit’ the player. This approach and understanding have made Chris Melville the first choice of musicians, guitar collectors and enthusiasts, Australia-wide, when it comes to servicing, repairing and extracting the very best from, their instruments.
Guitar Repairs Brisbane
Melville Guitars is a fully equipped luthier’s workshop located in Kenmore, Brisbane. Guitar repairs and service have been a natural extension to guitar-building for Chris Melville. From his early beginnings in his grandfather’s workshop to becoming one who discovered his love for playing the guitar, to working with one of the world’s great guitar innovators, his depth of knowledge and industry experience adds another dimension to service and repair work. When matched with his crafting skills, it is a serious offer indeed.
Acoustic guitars, Electrics, Bass, Classical, Banjos, Mandolins
An important facet of Chris’s approach is consideration of the other half of the instrument…the player. Being able to understand how they play, what they want to hear, in what context do they play and even their physical size is important in making the instrument work, but also, in making it ‘fit’ the player. This approach and understanding have made Chris Melville the first choice of musicians, guitar collectors and enthusiasts, Australia-wide, when it comes to servicing, repairing and extracting the very best from, their instruments.
Services & Specialties
Playability – Instruments Revealed
Fretwork and Setup are key elements to releasing the potential of an instrument. Chris Melville has established a reputation as a ‘specialist’ in this important area of making a guitar reveal what it is capable of.
There are many small details and measurements to consider, and how each one is working and relating to the other will have an effect on the overall performance. Then you must consider the inherent qualities of the wood itself, the particular ‘recipe’ of that individual instrument, the construction parameters and materials it was built with and so on. This means that most guitars could perform a lot better than they currently do!
His deep knowledge and attention to fine detail in every aspect of fretwork and setup are what set him apart in the Brisbane guitar repairs scene and without a doubt, the best way to know that difference is to visit the workshop yourself. There is no substitute for being able to play his instruments and to meet Chris.
Services & Specialties
Playability – Instruments Revealed
Fretwork and Setup are key elements to releasing the potential of an instrument. Chris Melville has established a reputation as a ‘specialist’ in this important area of making a guitar reveal what it is capable of.
There are many small details and measurements to consider, and how each one is working and relating to the other will have an effect on the overall performance. Then you must consider the inherent qualities of the wood itself, the particular ‘recipe’ of that individual instrument, the construction parameters and materials it was built with and so on. This means that most guitars could perform a lot better than they currently do!
His deep knowledge and attention to fine detail in every aspect of fretwork and setup are what set him apart in the Brisbane guitar repairs scene and without a doubt, the best way to know that difference is to visit the workshop yourself. There is no substitute for being able to play his instruments and to meet Chris.
Comprehensive Setup
Setup, is a commonly used term in the guitar industry and refers to ‘setting up’ a guitar so as to make it ‘playable’. Most new factory instruments will need to be ‘set up’ simply because the process of manufacturing in such quantities, does not allow time for this detailed work. Whether it is an acoustic or electric guitar, bass, banjo or mandolin, it will need to be set up properly if the true capacity of the instrument is to be revealed reliably.
Many musicians, both professional and amateur alike, are yet to actually hear what their instrument of choice really sounds like! Some might say this is a rather bold statement but when you are working with minute measurements impacting on each other, there is a very narrow window where an instrument really “sings”, or in other words, plays perfectly in tune with itself from the lowest note to the highest.
Precision Refrets
Fretwork is without question, the very foundation of effortless playability, and essential to achieving a competent setup. To whatever degree the foundation, or fretwork, is compromised, the playability is likewise compromised. If the foundation is correct then the player can have pretty much whatever action their fingers, and their ears desire.
Stainless Steel Fretwork
There is a lot of misinformation and commentary out there regarding stainless steel fretwork. While there is a higher degree of difficulty in working with it and the appropriate tooling is necessary, it would definitely be our recommendation for moderate to heavy-use players, especially working musicians. It retains it’s accuracy better and outlasts nickel silver many times over resulting in lower maintenance costs in the long run.
The effect of proper fretwork
The pure tone AND player feel is just bliss. You are a master and have changed my life, for the FIRST time I have stopped chasing a BETTER tone because I feel I have arrived!!! Everything you recommended was SPOT ON and for all future work, I will just blindly continue to follow your recommendations.
You have the rare ability to make an instrument the BEST possible version that it can be! I love your work and CANNOT recommend it enough to ANYONE. You don’t really know what an instrument is capable of until it had a “Melville”.
– Felix R
Guitar Repairs
All general guitar repairs and service work for :
Acoustic guitars, Classical, Electric, Bass, Banjos, Mandolins
- Pickup installation
- Restorations
- Bracing modification
- Pre-purchase inspections
- Pre-sale setups
- Stainless steel fretwork
- Lifting bridges
- Popped braces
- Neck resets
- Broken headstocks
Selected factory guitars
Not everyone is in the market for a custom-built guitar but, certainly, every player wants a reliable, truly-musical instrument that is easy and inspiring to play.
For those with a budget of around $2000, Chris provides a unique service in ensuring that they achieve that goal, first time. He holds in stock a limited number of individually selected factory guitars that provide excellent value at this price point. Starting with guitars that are soundly constructed and musically resonant, he then applies the same comprehensive setup that he does to his own custom-made guitars. The ‘Melville’ signature is effortless playability and remarkable tone.
Having expert help in finding the right guitar for your budget will be the difference between whether you enjoy the instrument and are happy with your investment, or whether you give up in frustration and disappointment or are constantly looking for another one. The right guitar for you can absolutely make this much difference.
Get in touch below for more information.
Selected factory guitars
Not everyone is in the market for a custom-built guitar but, certainly, every player wants a reliable, truly-musical instrument that is easy and inspiring to play.
For those with a budget of around $2000, Chris provides a unique service in ensuring that they achieve that goal, first time. He holds in stock a limited number of individually selected factory guitars that provide excellent value at this price point. Starting with guitars that are soundly constructed and musically resonant, he then applies the same comprehensive setup that he does to his own custom-made guitars. The ‘Melville’ signature is effortless playability and remarkable tone.
Having expert help in finding the right guitar for your budget will be the difference between whether you enjoy the instrument and are happy with your investment, or whether you give up in frustration and disappointment or are constantly looking for another one. The right guitar for you can absolutely make this much difference.
Get in touch below for more information.