Third Coast Guitar Service
Third Coast Guitar Service is a Chicago-based, founder-owned full-service guitar and amplifier repair facility serving individual players, vintage collectors, and manufacturers. It employs 10 expert technicians with 175+ years of combined experience, operates a 7,500 sq ft flagship shop plus a Palatine location, and holds factory authorization from 50+ brands including Fender, Gibson, Martin, and Taylor.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Third Coast Guitar Service does
Third Coast Guitar Service, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned full-service guitar and amplifier repair facility headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1997 when owner Chris Eudy acquired Bob's Guitar Service. The company operates a 7,500 square foot flagship facility at 5080 N Elston Avenue in Chicago and a secondary location in Palatine, Illinois, serving individual guitar players, vintage collectors, amp owners, and customizers in the Chicago metropolitan area. Services span basic restringing, precision PLEK fret leveling, refretting, refinishing, structural repair, electronics work, and complete vintage restoration, with pricing publicly disclosed on a unit basis ranging from $50 for a basic restring to $5,000+ for complex restorations.
The firm's core technical differentiators are a German-engineered PLEK machine providing fret leveling accuracy up to 0.001mm, three spray booths supporting nitrocellulose lacquer, catalyzed polyester, and UV-cured polyester finishes, and a dedicated electronics repair department covering amplifiers, pedals, and studio gear. The business model combines three revenue streams: per-ticket professional repair services, parts and accessories sales, and factory-authorized warranty service. Third Coast holds "Gold" or "A" level factory authorization from more than 50 manufacturers including Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Marshall, Epiphone, Jackson, and Peavey, giving it direct parts access and a preferred flow of warranty work.
The company employs 10 expert technicians with over 175 years of combined experience, including luthiers formally trained at Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery and Gallup School of Lutherie (Master Program). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via physical storefront drop-off and pickup in Chicago and Palatine, supported by a website (thirdcoastguitar.com) and a Facebook page, with word-of-mouth and referral as the primary demand driver. The business is bootstrapped, with no external institutional investment identified, and Eudy remains hands-on in daily repair work alongside his management role.
Third Coast Guitar Service firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Third Coast Guitar Service
- Legal name
- Third Coast Guitar Service, Inc.
- Website
- https://thirdcoastguitar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Third Coast Guitar Service is a Chicago-based, founder-owned full-service guitar and amplifier repair facility serving individual players, vintage collectors, and manufacturers. It employs 10 expert technicians with 175+ years of combined experience, operates a 7,500 sq ft flagship shop plus a Palatine location, and holds factory authorization from 50+ brands including Fender, Gibson, Martin, and Taylor.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Third Coast Guitar Service industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Musical Instrument Repair Services
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instrument Parts, Repair & Maintenance (Luthier, Tech Services, Spares) (MPAIAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)
Keywords
Where Third Coast Guitar Service is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Third Coast Guitar Service business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Repair Services: One-time transaction-based professional services for guitar repair, restoration, refretting, refinishing, and setup work. Prices range from $50 basic services to $5,000+ for complex vintage restorations.
- Parts Sales: Sale of replacement parts including manufacturer replacement parts, brand name and boutique pickups, vintage parts, and strings.
- Factory Authorized Warranty Service: Authorized warranty service center for major manufacturers including Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, and others. Performs warranty repairs on behalf of manufacturers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PLEK Service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Set-up - Standard Guitars |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Set-up - Other Instruments |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Restring & Tune |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Re-Frets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Refinishing Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Third Coast Guitar Service product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Third Coast Guitar Service is a full-service guitar and amplifier repair facility offering precision fret leveling (via PLEK machine), refretting, refinishing, electronics work, structural restoration, and factory-authorized warranty service for 50+ major brands. Located in a 7,500 square foot Chicago facility staffed by 10 expert technicians with 175+ years of combined experience, the company handles everything from basic restringing to ground-up vintage instrument restoration.
Product overview
Third Coast Guitar Service is a full-service guitar repair facility offering a comprehensive suite of services centered on guitar and amplifier repair. The core offerings include precision PLEK machine guitar setup, full-service guitar repair (from basic restringing to ground-up restoration), amp repair, and factory-authorized warranty service for over 40 major brands. Additional specialized services include structural repairs, custom finishing/refinishing using multiple lacquer types, fret work and re-fretting, electronics and pickup services, bridge and nut work, and vintage instrument restoration. The company operates a 7,500 square foot facility with 10 expert technicians having over 175 years of combined experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Guitar Repair Services Full-service guitar repair, restoration, and customization including restringing, electronics work, refretting, refinishing, and ground-up restoration for individual guitar owners and vintage collectors.
- PLEK Machine Guitar Setup Precision fret leveling and guitar setup using PLEK technology that scans and levels frets to 0.001mm accuracy, combined with hand-finishing by technicians. Priced at $300 for standard service.
- Amp Repair Electronics repair department offering routine maintenance, re-tubing, speaker replacement, mods, and major repairs for amplifiers and pedals. Stocks jacks, switches, preamp and output tubes, and output ICs for fast turnaround.
- Factory Authorized Warranty Repair Gold or A-level authorized warranty service center for over 50 major manufacturers including Fender, Gibson, Marshall, Martin, Epiphone, Taylor, and others.
- Structural Repairs Major structural repairs including neck rebuilding, crack repairs, brace repairs, headstock repairs, and complete instrument restoration.
- Custom Finishing and Refinishing Custom finishing and refinishing using nitrocellulose lacquer, catalyzed polyester, and UV-cured polyester with three spray booths. Includes touch-up work and full refinishes priced from $60 for buffing to $1,500+ for set-neck refinishing.
- Fret Work and Re-fretting Fret leveling, re-crowning, spot repairs, and full re-frets including PLEK service, hand fret levels, and stainless steel fret options. Full re-frets range from $550 to $1,000 plus materials.
- Parts Sales Sale of replacement parts including manufacturer replacement parts, brand name and boutique pickups, vintage parts, and strings.
Quantifiable outcome
- Fret leveling accuracy up to 0.001mm (1/1000 of a millimeter)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Third Coast Guitar Service
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Third Coast Guitar Service technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Third Coast Guitar Service partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
39 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Fender Musical InstrumentscoreFactory authorized 'Gold' or 'A' level service center. Performs warranty service on Fender guitars and amplifiers. Can obtain non-stocked parts directly from manufacturer. Also authorized for Squier brand.
- Gibson BrandscoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Gibson guitars and Tobias guitars. Stocks manufacturer replacement parts and can obtain non-stocked parts directly from Gibson.
- Martin GuitarcoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Martin guitars. Authorized to perform warranty repairs and obtain genuine Martin replacement parts.
- Taylor GuitarscoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Taylor guitars. Authorized to perform warranty repairs and source Taylor replacement parts.
- Marshall AmplificationcoreAuthorized warranty service center for Marshall amplifiers. Can perform warranty repairs and source Marshall parts.
- EpiphonecoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Epiphone guitars as subsidiary of Gibson.
- AmpegcoreAuthorized warranty service center for Ampeg amplifiers.
- Jackson GuitarscoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Jackson guitars.
- Peavey ElectronicscoreAuthorized warranty service center for Peavey amplifiers and guitars.
- Line 6coreAuthorized warranty service center for Line 6 products.
- KRK SystemscoreAuthorized warranty service center for KRK studio monitors and audio equipment.
- Eden/ RandallcoreAuthorized warranty service center for Eden and Randall amplifiers.
- SWRcoreAuthorized warranty service center for SWR amplifiers (now part of Fender).
- CharvelcoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Charvel guitars.
- GretschcoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Gretsch guitars. Note: $5000 minimum for vintage Gretsch binding replacement.
- GuildcoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Guild guitars.
- KorgcoreAuthorized warranty service center for Korg electronic instruments.
- RolandcoreAuthorized warranty service center for Roland products.
- YamahacoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Yamaha guitars.
- Ovation/Applause/CelebritycoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Ovation guitars and related brands.
- WashburncoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Washburn guitars.
- HohnercoreAuthorized warranty service center for Hohner instruments.
- BC RichcoreFactory authorized warranty service center for B.C. Rich guitars.
- TakaminecoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Takamine guitars.
- VoxcoreAuthorized warranty service center for Vox amplifiers.
- SeagullcoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Seagull guitars.
- SteinbergercoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Steinberger guitars.
- ParkercoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Parker guitars.
- GodincoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Godin guitars.
- WarwickcoreFactory authorized warranty service center for Warwick bass guitars.
- Harman KardoncoreAuthorized warranty service center for Harman Kardon audio equipment.
- MackiecoreAuthorized warranty service center for Mackie audio products.
- Gallien-KruegercoreAuthorized warranty service center for Gallien-Krueger amplifiers.
- RandallcoreAuthorized warranty service center for Randall amplifiers (also listed under Eden/Randall).
- B52coreAuthorized warranty service center for B52 amplifiers.
- BuddacoreAuthorized warranty service center for Budda amplifiers.
- CratecoreAuthorized warranty service center for Crate amplifiers.
- LanikaicoreAuthorized warranty service center for Lanikai ukuleles.
- TrabencoreAuthorized warranty service center for Traben bass guitars.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Third Coast Guitar Service competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rudy's Music: Long-established NYC guitar shop offering full-service guitar repair, restoration, and sales with in-house luthiers. Closely comparable to Third Coast in offering a broad menu of repair services (setups, refrets, electronics, restoration) and serving both individual players and collectors in a major metro.
- Gruhn Guitars: Nashville-based vintage and used guitar retailer with an in-house repair and restoration department. Directly comparable on the high-end vintage restoration and collector-focused service side, with similar factory authorizations and craftsmanship positioning.
- Elderly Instruments: Lansing, MI-based instrument retailer with a prominent in-house repair and restoration department. Comparable as a full-service music store with deep repair bench, factory authorizations, and broad instrument category coverage (guitars, amps, folk instruments).
- Mandolin Brothers: Staten Island, NY vintage instrument specialist focused on restoration of collectible stringed instruments. Closely comparable to Third Coast on vintage restoration capability, high-end restoration pricing ($1,000-$5,000+), and collector customer segment.
- Chicago Music Exchange: Chicago-based guitar retailer with on-site service/repair capabilities. Directly comparable as a same-metro competitor offering instrument sales alongside repair services to the Chicago player and collector community.
Broad incumbents
- Wildwood Guitars: Louisville, CO-based guitar retailer that also coordinates repair and setup services. Comparable on premium guitar retail plus service motion; broader in scope (national retailer) but offers overlapping setup and customization services.
- Sweetwater Sound: Large national musical instrument retailer with an in-house guitar repair department (including PLEK services) and broad brand authorizations. Comparable to Third Coast on PLEK technology, factory authorizations, and guitar repair services, but at significantly larger scale and broader product portfolio.
Emerging players
- Callaham Music: Specialty guitar parts manufacturer (bridges, tremolos, hardware) with deep technical content and luthier expertise. Comparable as a precision-focused guitar specialist brand, though their core business is parts rather than full repair services.
Regional players
- LA Guitar Sales: Los Angeles-based high-end and vintage guitar retailer with in-house repair capabilities. Comparable on premium/vintage guitar focus and restoration services, serving the West Coast market rather than the Midwest.
Others
- Reverb.com: Online musical instrument marketplace with a 'Repairs' directory connecting customers to repair shops. Adjacent ecosystem participant — Third Coast could leverage Reverb's national audience for mail-in service expansion, while Reverb is a channel for sourcing buyers/sellers and customer acquisition.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Third Coast Guitar Service social profiles
Digital presenceThird Coast Guitar Service financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Third Coast Guitar Service leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Third Coast Guitar Service funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Third Coast Guitar Service M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Third Coast Guitar Service
What does Third Coast Guitar Service do?
Third Coast Guitar Service is a full-service guitar and amplifier repair facility offering precision fret leveling (via PLEK machine), refretting, refinishing, electronics work, structural restoration, and factory-authorized warranty service for 50+ major brands. Located in a 7,500 square foot Chicago facility staffed by 10 expert technicians with 175+ years of combined experience, the company handles everything from basic restringing to ground-up vintage instrument restoration.
Is Third Coast Guitar Service a public or private company?
Third Coast Guitar Service is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Third Coast Guitar Service founded?
Third Coast Guitar Service was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Third Coast Guitar Service based?
Third Coast Guitar Service is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Third Coast Guitar Service make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Repair Services are the primary driver. The others are parts Sales and factory Authorized Warranty Service.
Who are Third Coast Guitar Service's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rudy's Music, Gruhn Guitars, Elderly Instruments, Mandolin Brothers and Chicago Music Exchange. Broad incumbents are Wildwood Guitars and Sweetwater Sound. Callaham Music is listed as an emerging player. LA Guitar Sales is listed as a regional player. Reverb.com is listed as an others.
Does Third Coast Guitar Service have an API?
No public API is recorded for Third Coast Guitar Service.
What industry is Third Coast Guitar Service in?
Third Coast Guitar Service's product category is Musical Instrument Repair Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAG, Instrument Parts, Repair & Maintenance (Luthier, Tech Services, Spares), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAF, Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads). Its NAICS code is 459140 and its SIC code is 3931.