 |
| United
Lutherie Vintage Guitar Repair Athens, OH |
| contact: Gene Imbody Erick Coleman info@unitedlutherie.com 740-767-2221 |
Owned and operated by Gene Imbody and Erick Coleman, United Lutherie is a professional, full service lutherie shop in South-Eastern Ohio with over 20 years combined experience. We specialize in the restoration of fine vintage instruments and also do repairs, and build custom guitars to order. Our particular interest is in accurate vintage replicas of classic guitars. We also offer our own custom pickups carefully crafted in the vintage tradition as well as repairs and rewinds. We are located in a 7200 Sq Ft, 102 year old former Odd Fellows Lodge about 10 miles north of Athens, Ohio. We have a well equipped facility with a machine shop, spray room, and a full compliment of wood working equipment. In addition to building and repair work, we offer individual instruction in all aspects of lutherie with daily, weekly, and monthly rates. We can help you learn the art of Lutherie while working on your own instruments. Services include,
but are not limited to: |
| Photos - Repair - Classes - Products - MySpace |
Gene
Imbody
I began working on my own guitar as
a teenager, and built my first electric guitar at the age of 17.
I got my first real start in the industry in the early 90’s as a
phone representative for Stewart
MacDonald.
Over the next few years, I took full advantage of all of the exposure and opportunities provided to Stew-Mac employees until I gained the skills needed to secure a job in a real repair shop.
In 1995 I moved to Boulder, Colorado to begin working full time at Woodsong’s Lutherie. There I learned a very specific and effective approach to repair work and the ins and outs of running a busy repair shop from renowned luthier and teacher, Jon Eaton. Over 5 years I honed my skills on a wide variety of instruments and gained intimate knowledge of many vintage guitars.
In 2000, I returned to Ohio to work with Dan Erlewine and act as technical advisor to Stewart MacDonald. Working with Dan offered a very unique opportunity to learn restoration level repairs on some of the world’s finest instruments. Those familiar with Erlewine know his ability to perform the “impossible” and his aptitude for thinking outside of the box. I was fortunate enough to have this opportunity while also writing articles, shooting videos, traveling as a representative of Stewart MacDonald. I have lectured at The Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery and for the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans.
In 2003 Erick Coleman was hired to take over the technical department to allow me to work in the production shop at Stewart MacDonald. I also started my own business Imbody’s Custom Guitars. While my shop grew, I learned major production techniques and machine operation making parts and tools for Stew Mac.
In 2006 I bought the former Odd Fellows Lodge just outside of Athens and joined forces with Erick Coleman to create United Lutherie. We both have a similar vision and love of vintage guitars, so it seemed logical to pool our resources and take a shot at something bigger and better.
Toward the end of 2007, I gave up my position at Stewart MacDonald to focus my attention on our new business. I strive to add to my knowledge of vintage guitars and refine my skills as a luthier.
My efforts these days are focused on attaining the wisdom, experience, and machinery necessary to be the biggest and most reputable shop in the world, while producing guitars that replicate the magic of the truly great guitars of the past.