When I walked into Chris Camp’s studio, I could tell immediately that I had just entered a special place. On Kauai I spent several years as a luthier’s assistant, making about 15 koa ukuleles and prepared wood for a few guitars. Chris Camp’s Studio had that special feeling that is so hard to find.

When I left the Martin with Chris, I felt like his studio had the vibration of a church (so to speak, it actually had a massive amount of spirituality). I told him the Martin was my ‘soul’, and it truly was.

Chris had done some minor work on a new Martin that I recently purchased, he lowered the action. It was at that time that I knew he was the guy to work on the 000-28c.

It took Chris about a year to totally restore the 000-28c, I asked him to go slow. He took the appropriate amount of time giving full respect to the guitar.

Finally, it was time to pick up the Martin. When Chris showed it to me, I gasped, it was beautiful. He not only restored it, he ‘baptised’ it. When I held it in my arms it was like magic.

Months later, I still gasp every time I open the case; it still feels like magic in my arms, it still gives me songs. There is no way I can totally thank Chris for what he has done. He has transformed the Martin into the best instrument that it has ever been. What more can I say? I’m a happy guy, Chris made it happen.

Mahalo nui loa (thank you to the max), Dennis.

When I came into possession of my mother’s Gibson L4 I knew I wanted to do restoration work on it and keep it in the family. As you know it was not only well worn, with machine heads that barely functioned, frets with deep groves, a tweaked neck, cracking on the sound hole near the neck, but also had a massive fracture on the top from being dropped on concrete when the strap came loose. To me the guitar seemed all but unplayable.

I’ve had a chance to play the L4 quite a bit since you worked on it and I have to say that I just love this guitar now. It plays so much easier now, stays in tune forever and has a great sound. The new machine heads look original and fit the guitar perfectly. The way you installed the new frets, in the style that they were originally found on the L4 is amazing. The detail that you went to to hand file the binding around the ends of every fret is beyond what I would have expected. The past refret job just had the frets stick out to the edges of the neck. Oh, and that smashed area on the top – you got skills. The finish on the entire guitar is so much more alive now. You did an amazing job on this guitar, my friend. I could not have asked for anything more. Thank you very much.

Now for the old Kalamazoo…

Best regards,
Ed

You have made many guitars of mine wonderful, historically accurate, restorations of the original fine instruments they are. Each end everyone tells a story from the Family Member Martin you brought back to life to the old Gibson that was a train wreck from the beach of Santa Cruz… In every instance your expertise and time honored work brings the amazing sounds, sweet playability and period specific restoration into my home every time I play the instruments you so caringly work on.

From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU, your work is above and beyond a price as it is heirloom, it is a family member, it is timeless…

db

The owner sent a letter to Martin in Nazareth Pennsylvania to ask if it was still under warranty. They said “yes” only if she had the original sales receipt which by this time was long gone.

With their reply they sent a list of authorized repair people in Southern California. I kept that letter for twenty years and since I was now in Escondido, CA I was surprised there was a a recommended luthier Chris Camp very close to my own home. The kicker came that Chris had the same phone number and address after twenty years and that says something for his longevity.

Chris did an excellent job on my vintage Martin which included a neck reset, re-fret, fret ramp, new bridge rebuild and other bits of tender loving care.

The guitar looks and sounds fantastic as is worthy of a vintage instrument that is over 75 years old. Thanks Chris and you are more than a wonderful luthier but a trusted and very good friend.

Pastor Jim Park, PhD

In addition to several warranty items (hats off to the Martin Co!) Chris suggested a refret, which was beautifully executed. He also managed to salvage the original bridge, saddle and nut with his magic.

I’ve had nearly a month now of experiencing the much-improved action, tone and sustain he coaxed out of this fine instrument, and am still dazzled by the difference.

Hmmm, just think what this guy could do with my Tele…..

Chris did a fantastic job. It took him only a couple of weeks, and his attention to detail was gratifying. I could tell he loved my guitar. He even went so far as to “age” the finish over the new binding so that it matched the yellowed varnish on the rest of the guitar. He hand-carved a new bridge and fine-tuned the saddle to fix a small anomaly in the harmonics. End result: my vintage Martin sounds and looks better than ever. And all for a reasonable price.

I would trust Chris with anything with strings, and I expect to take more instruments to him in the future.

I just wanted to tell you how happy I am with the work that you did on my guitar.

I knew of your work before I met you but after spending time with you on the original assessment, I knew when I left it with you that it was in good hands and that there was no doubt that I was going to get a better quality instrument back.

I really enjoyed getting to know you.

Ken

I’m a picky guy and Chris did a phenomenal job cleaning up the finish issues on the fingerboard binding. You would never know anything had ever been wrong. Aside doing spotless work, Chris is great all-around guy and I had fun hanging out while he worked on the archtop. Looks like I’ve found my new go-to local guy for repairs. Thanks!

Jim