I simply have to write about Neil Smith's Vegas Guitars Custom Shop. I have many guitars, and have been disappointed that I could not find a high quality luthier to address setup work on instruments. I am no longer disappointed! I found Neil Smith using an Internet search, and found his site to be of interest, since I had a Les Paul which seemed to have some high frets, but I was too afraid to take it anywhere local. I set up a time to bring the guitar in, you can't just 'walk in,' as his shop is small, a one man operation, plus his assistant, Susi, who is also wonderful! When I got to the shop, I was astounded at Neil's obvious attention to detail. He was anxious to discuss all aspects of guitars with me, and his years of experience gave me that \"warm fuzzy feeling\" I'd never found in a Las Vegas luthier. While I had not been expecting to have this particular guitar receive a total setup, after talking to Neil, I was convinced that that is exactly what it needed. Not to say I was talked into something, just that his logic made complete sense to me.\n\nI was not in a hurry to get the guitar back, but I got a call in less than a week, telling me it was ready. Now, I must tell you that this guitar already had super low action, even with the fret problem. I had not expected that the action could have gotten any lower. But it was, indeed, amazingly lower! The nut slots were perfect, the frets were crowned and smoothed and look like jewelry. It felt like a different guitar, and this from an instrument that was already outstanding! \n\nI have taken one other instrument to Neil, a Gibson Historic Korina Explorer, and it, too, got the same setup, simply perfect! I plan on having many more of my guitars set up by Mr. Smith. Oh, and if you're in the market for a new, custom guitar, he does that, too. Spectacular work, from the few of those I've had the privilege to see.\n\nIn the interest of complete transparency, after my first experience, I've since done some photography work for some of Mr. Smith's guitars. However, this took place only after that first Les Paul was completed, and had no bearing on how well that guitar work was performed, or on my opinion of that work.
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