Jacks Instrument Services (Manchester)

PudWud

I’ve been looking for a new guitar tech for a while to do the more complicated jobs like fret dress and re frets on some of my older guitars after not being so happy with the results from others in the Manchester area. 

I’ve sent Jacks a message through their website, a couple of emails and called a phone number I found, but no response at all from them. Are they still in business or not as I noticed their latest Instagram post was back in January. 

thermionic

I’m sure I read something recently that made me think “that’s a shame”… but I can’t for the life of me remember what exactly it was or where I read it. Their facebook page was last updated in January as well. Anybody bought a Tiny Tone pickguard recently?

SteveRobinson

Have you tried James Porter? 

Jonathangus

I recently requested a quote for a scratchplate from Tiny Tone - which is their sister company - and had a response within a day or two.

(Although it was more than double the price of Earlpilanz, who fortunately is now back working, so I went there instead.)

Gomers

Bit further South but I can recommend Rich http://www.theguitardoctor.co.uk/?fbclid=IwVERDUAN1SzdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHn4zZH9o5hh2h57CGErPAlLFn4xb2UtL_Nv6IwvZ63mrhxUfW9ELZ2kCDyJq_aem_CQiXLXTkn8w4dDnVjDw9lQ

He’s in Nantwich, Cheshire.

timmypix

Jack's were always brilliant when I was up there, so it'd be a shame if they've not survived.

On the other hand, there's Steve and his team at the excellend Guitar Repair Workshop - now in two premises after PMT closed - and I think I rate them slightly higher than Jack's.

floeighty2

I’ll second Steve and his crew at Guitar Repair Workshop. I’ve taken many guitars to them and always happy with the results and Steve is a lovely guy to deal with.  I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my tech work.  Also, I got a guard from Tiny Tone not that long ago and they were very nice guys too, so maybe worth a phone call again to them and see how it goes. 

lesyeuxnoirs

It is a good question, OP. I used to go to Jacks Instruments Services when I lived in the City Centre. They always did top notch work and I think that there were 4 people working there at one time (during the pandemic). Really nice chaps IIRC.  Somewhere along the line, I heard that he scaled things back in terms of staffing (just him) and opening hours but also bumped his prices a fair bit. A fair few people that I know also report not being able to get in touch. I certainly hope he is doing OK and it would be a shame if the business has closed. 

In the post @SteveRobinson world, I would also suggest Steve and his crew at Guitar Repair Workshop. But I would also really recommend Matt Ryan, who is an absolute wizard and a top bloke to boot. 

gusman2x

Seconded for Matt Ryan. He’s in Milnrow, so out a fair bit from the city centre, but he is excellent. 

https://www.mattryanguitars.com/

richardhomer

SteveRobinson said:

Have you tried James Porter? 

James has done some ‘very’ complex work (replacing a truss rod, which involved removing the fingerboard) as well as some more straightforward stuff for me.

He’s exceptionally good.

SteveRobinson

richardhomer said:

SteveRobinson said:

Have you tried James Porter? 

James has done some ‘very’ complex work (replacing a truss rod, which involved removing the fingerboard) as well as some more straightforward stuff for me.

He’s exceptionally good.

He's the best. Trained by the late great Ted Lee.

strat84

Another vote for James Porter here. Had my Les Paul's frets levelled and dressed a few months back. Excellent work and lots of pics and updates during the process 

Crash

If you can get round to Stockport I’d go with Rigby Music. Pete Rigby is a great guy, my two brothers in law are professional musicians and won’t go to anyone else in Manchester for setups. They used to use Jacks but switched to Rigbys. 

https://www.theguitarandbassshop.co.uk/

88CuzJ

Have you tried Jim Fleeting in Stockport?