Customer Feedback

comments from repair customers....

 

"I deal exclusively in high-end vintage & collectable instruments, and there is simply nobody else I would trust to work on my gear. Darren has done everything for me from refretting my beloved '55 and '63 strats...to recapping and servicing my vintage Fender amps, and his first-rate work & unbelievable customer service have ALWAYS
exceeded my expectations. If guitar & amp work has a groove (& you better know it does!!!), this boy always plays in the pocket!"


"Cadillac Dave" Smithdeal


"I've been taking my guitars to Darren Riley for a number of years and keep going back for the prompt and reliable service. Darren has always demonstrated his abundant expertise in setting up, repairing and modifying my stringed instruments. I like the laid-back, yet professional atmosphere his shop offers. He also has a very impressive selection of parts and other guitar accessories in-stock on a routine basis."

Jason Barker – Steelbender.com



"Man, you did an outstanding job on my '64 Vibrolux amp. I am very particuliar about who I allow to work on my equipment and I do not like to have them altered at all. You put the amp back to the way it is supposed to sound, and pal, it has never sounded better. I love this amp! Thanks for reconizing a vintage amp for what it is and making it sound the way it is supposed to. Great Job!! I would recomend you to anyone!"

Handsome Al
Heckle


"Darren,       You did a fabulous job on my Grosh.  Once I got home I realized that the frets and fretboard looked and felt brand new!  You were able to preserve that rounded fret profile that is an important characteristic of all Grosh guitars. I could tell that you spent some time with the action and nut height because the action was lower, yet there was even less fret buzz than before!  Plus, the radius of the strings is more uniform now and that enabled me to get less string noise playing slide (I've been playing slide on the Tele because of that problem) even with the lower action.  To top it off, the intonation was perfect!  So all I have to do is put it in the truck with my other gear for my gig this weekend.  Thanks again!"

Scott Tucker


Darren ,  awesome job on my '69 P Bass - plays great and sounds great too!
Thanks man!


Don Moody


"Darren does a great job on everything I take to the shop. It's good to have someone you can count on when you need him!"

Ross Miller - Crush


"Q: Hey Darren, What's the difference between good action & incredible action?

A: What you did to my SG!

Just wanted to say Thanks!"

Bob Wallace


"Hi Darren,  I just wanted to say thanks for the great job in repairing my two Fender amps. The tonal qualities of both are much improved. For years I have been very impressed with your attention to detail when it comes to guitar repair (especially fret work), and now I'm equally pleased to see that this attentiveness now extends to amplifier repair. The turn-around time for completion of the work is always quick and I can count on you to do the job the right way the first time around whether its guitar or amplifier work. It's reassuring to know that someone with your skill resides in this area. From now on you'll get all of my amp work as well."

Bernie Petteway


"Hey man I just want to thank you for the excellent work you did on my, 82 Fender Tele Elite. This guitar has sentimental value which was given to me by my "Old Man". I was sort of worried when I dropped it off at your place but you took great care and patience in your work and it shows! Its like a new guitar now and sounds awesome! I played 2 gigs the day after I picked it up from you and enjoyed the hell out of it. Once again, thank you!"

Mark Jones


“The Marshall sounds great! Thanks Darren!”

John Frusciante – Red Hot Chili Peppers


"Well, you did it again pal. I have had this '66 strat since 1971 and the last re-fret job was done in Texas by a hacker. I have had to live with this abortion for years and years. I carried this guitar to you in hopes that you would able to repair the damage that had been done years before. Man, you did a killer job on this thing. Not only did you re-fret it beautifully, but fixed all the dished out places in the neck itself where the guy before had gouged out the rosewood digging the frets out. It looks like it is BRAND NEW!! Outstanding job and nice set up also. Thanks!!"

Handsome Al Heckle


"I can’t remember when I first met Darren. It’s almost like he’s always been there. He said if I ever needed guitar or amp work done to let him know. I did and I’m glad I did! In the past couple years he’s worked on several of my amps and guitars with amazing results. My SRV Strat had been abused for 11 years and there wasn’t a decent fret or piece of hardware left on it. When it came back it played like it did on the first day with frets and hardware just a-gleamin’ and a-screamin’. The rest of the guitar still looks like hell, but that’s MY doin’!

If you want your stuff working and sounding right Darren is the man!"

Love & peace, Neal D. Bluesman


"Darren, Thanks for the great work on my Gibson Custom Shop CS-336 and CS-356. Neither of these guitars was playable after arrival from the factory, but after I got them back from you, they were fabulous! And thanks also for the critical discovery of the neck twist in the 356, and therefore I decided to keep only the 336. I am extremely happy with how it plays and sounds now. Thanks!"

Paul Callahan


"Thanks so much for repairing my Mesa Rectifier before our show Saturday. Thing sounds better now than when I bought it 8 or more years ago! Good to know someone with your knowledge and customer service is in the area. Thanks again, see you next time."

Dustin Askew


"Darren,   Just spent about 4 hours straight playin' the Les Paul bass you worked on for me. Wore me out like a new girlfriend! If it ever played this good before, its been longer than I can remember. I've hired techs from all over the country...nobody but you will touch my gear again! Thanks!"

John Ray


"Hi Darren,  I was in your shop getting the P-bass gear last Saturday and I thought I'd let you know how thrilled I am that there's a place for parts here in RTP.  I'm always scratching my head trying to guess at who's probably got the pickguard screws or the coverplate that I need, but those days are long gone thanks to you!  I'm sure I'll be dropping by again soon to pick up some things for my next project bass! "


Ben Davis


"Darren,  My wife picked up my Les Paul for me today.  When I got home from work and plugged it in....one word AWESOME!  The pickups you recommended were perfect.  The bridge pickup is exactly what I was looking for! The action is better than it has ever been, it is PERFECT.  This is by far the best guitar set up I have ever had.  It's great to have someone that really cares about quality....and is able to deliver!  I have a Martin and a Strat that I cant wait to have you make even better! Thanks for a job well done.

Mike Palmer


"Hey Darren,   The guitars sound great.  I think I will stay with the wiring change you made on the Les Paul. My Germino amp really likes the guitars now. Should be a fun gig this weekend.  I will certainly refer my friends to you in the future."

Don Cipriani - Sleeping Booty


"Hey Darren,  Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much I love what to did to the Paul. Man I love the way those P90's sound and the look, man oh man! I haven't played any other guitar all week. And I have had it in open D for most of the week and those flat wounds sing. Great work. The P Bass is next."

David Moretto


"So I got it home and started playing. I went back and lowered the saddles ½ turn. Then played some more. Then lowed them another ½ turn, then another, and one more. The strings are so low that some of them go under the frets! I can't play with the lights on cause the polish on the frets hurts my eyes! Anyway, I am just as happy as I could be. Best money I ever spent on a guitar. I look forward to bringing more work to you.  I was able to lower the strings and even when I play through an acoustic simulator there is only the slightest hint of rattle.  I love it. Thanks for the attention to detail.  I love this stuff and it is great to know that I can get this kind of quality so close to home."

Matt Conley


"I bought a Gibson Les Paul Classic Goldtop on Ebay and to my dismay, found it had a lot of fret buzz.  I took it to Darren based on talking to other musicians.  Darren fixed the back bow on the neck and did his magic on the rest of the setup.  Alright man!  This things sings....and without any buzz whatsoever.  If there's ever someone you would trust with your treasured axe, Darren is the man.  Don't waste your time and money on anyone else."

  Art Tolentino


"Darren,

Thanks again for fixing the guitar. It's a huge relief to know that the electronics aren't going to crap out right before the big solo ..hehe!   I love the new volume pot too."

Éamonn  Shanahan

"Darren,  last week I picked up a red-knob Fender Twin that you had done a bunch of work on for me. After finally getting to try it out for real, I had to write to say thank you!  It sounds like brand new, and exactly what I wanted it to sound like. Just a phenomenal job.  If I ever need guitar or amp work done in the future I will definitely send it your way, and I will recommend all my friends do the same.  Thanks again, and best of luck to you and your business."

Mike Shelby

 

comments from darrenriley.com customers....


"Darren,  I just wanted to let you know I received the Schaller tuners yesterday. Wow, that was fast, and I received exactly what I expected.  I also wanted to comment on how professional the customer service was during my order process - which was my 1st order through your site ... and I was very impressed with the super packing detail/neatness applied to the shipment of the my part.  This has been an excellent 'customer experience' and it is appreciated. Thanks so much."

Glenn Folsom - Wilmington, DE


"Hi Darren. I got my order today. Again I commend you on your great customer service. Thank you very much."

Bob Harmon - Tacoma WA


"Darren , Recently whilst on a business trip to the USA my son came to your shop and purchased a set of Texas Specials and also a set Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Strat pickups.  He's not really into guitars (unlike his Dad) but thanks to the three way phone conversation between me, him and you I now have just what I wanted, and at very competitive prices compared with here in the UK. Anyway, thank you for your help it is much appreciated."

Derek Wylde - Staffordshire , England


"Darren, I just received the '62 Strat pick-guard I ordered this weekend, and I wanted to write and thank you for the fast shipping  and excellent service. It's really great when a small shop can both keep up with the prices of the big shops, and blow them away in terms of customer service.  I'll no doubt be shopping with you again."


Alexander Carlin - St Helena CA


"Just a quick thank you for your speedy and friendly service. I called from about as far away from Raleigh as one can get, and the parts I ordered showed up within 3 days. Incredible. And while my order wasn't big, you still got it shipped out in record time. I really appreciate it! I look forward to doing more business with you, even if you are 3,000 miles away. Thanks again - "

 

  Doug Cram - Lopez island, WA  (Extreme Northwest corner of the U.S. )


"I needed a reverb pan for my Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 for an upcoming gig less than a week away, and after sending Darren an email on a Sunday morning to check on stock, I received the reverb pan and had my Marshall up and running by Wednesday of that week!  Very friendly and fast service!  Thanks again, Darren! "
 
John Naumann  - JR Performance Guitar - Holly MI


"Just wanted to let you know that the pickups arrived, safe and sound this morning....I cant believe how fast that was.. so... Thank you very much..... you really helped me out with a great price and fast service.
I must admit that I was a little worried about ordering from someone I have never met on the other side of the planet but you couldn't have made it simpler.... "

Joseph Naisch - Sydney Australia


Aloha Darren ! Man, you are unbelievable! The parts arrived yesterday, and in about 20 min. I had that old Princeton looking like a real Princeton instead of a Radio Shack project that wound up in the garbage! You’ve helped a grand old amp to be reborn. Your service is second to NONE and I am so grateful that you are in this sometimes shaky musical instrument business! Thank you for greatly exceeding my expectations!

Jonathan Smith - Honolulu HI


"Before I discoverd Darren's shop on the web, I used to go to my local shop in France to get Fender parts. The scene was always the same : Everything I wanted had to be ordered and about a month later I got my parts if I was lucky. Now, I ask Darren "Have you got that?" "Yes!" is the answer and a week later the parts are here at home for a lower cost!. The only big problem with Darren : he is too far away from my home to let me shake his hand and have a coffee together tomorrow!"

Philippe Gouzou - St Jean Le Blanc, France


"Darren,   My Gibson nickel jackplate arrived nicely packed and in record time via USPS! It's already on my LP and
looks great! Thanks for the speedy transaction."

Glenn Anderson - Rockport MA


"Well! Thank you so much!!! I sincerely appreciate it! Wow! There should be more people like you in the world! Thanks for taking care of me and I will do more business with you in the future!

  'ranchobreeze'


"Hi Darren, Thanks so much for the super FAST shipment of my Fender tuning pegs...I also want to thank you especially for going out of your way with the extra parts...truly a testament in customer satisfaction...it's no wonder the 'top dogs' do business here. I know I will again!"

Clarence
Hardwick - Hancock ME


"Darren, thanks for the super quick service on the tube replacements. It's obvious you stand behind your products and  I will be a repeat customer."

Paul Trapanese - Ghent NY


"Darren , I ordered a Fender Pick Guard & Thumb rest for my Jazz Bass from you last Monday 23rd July and it was delivered to me in the United Kingdom today (Mon 30th). I asked for, and you promised, a prompt despatch and YOU DELIVERED on your promise. Excellent service, thank you so much, it is very much appreciated. I couldn't get a company in the UK to get one to me that quickly which is why I am pleased to have found your shop on the Internet."

Steve Grunnill - Great Britain


"Hello Darren,   Thank you again very much for your IMMACULATE actions. I just received the Marshall pedal today- just in time for my gig TONIGHT! The pedal works GREAT! It s ALWAYS a pleasure doing business with you.

You are on my TOP LIST for dealers. You KICK-ASS!!!!!!!!! MANY THANKS my friend."

Mathew Rile - Toluca Lake CA



"Hi Darren, All the parts arrived safely here in London yesterday morning - Tuesday. Excellent service. Many Thanks - just what I need. I look forward to doing business with you again on my next Strat project. (this one is a Mary Kay)."

Les Morrison - London UK


"Hello Darren,  Big thanks for being helpful and fast shipping overseas, will order from you again whenever i need parts for my guitars."

Bastian Pabst - Sweden

"hi, order arrived today, just as expected and nearly half the price here in u.k. thanks."

Colin Butler - Durham, Great Britain


"Hi ...... My new order has just arrived safe and sound. Impeccable packaging. The tubes you suggested to use are doing real fine on my Blues Junior. I truly appreciate shopping with you. I've always favoured dealing with individuals rather than big structures ( I'm nonetheless a satisfied Stewmac/Warmoth customer) owing to actual personalised service. Living in one of those fly-over towns of South-Western France I feel helpless at times even though the local guitar/amp dealer (a good friend of mine) does his best. Thanks for your dedicated help. Best regards. PN"

Pierre Néplaz - Tarbes, France

"Hi Darren, 

"Firstly I just wanted to say a big thank you for such fast and efficient service on a recent purchase I made at your online store. I made my purchase online on the 26th August and to my surprise, I received an email a short time later to say that it has already been shipped. Being in Australia, I thought it would take ages to get here so I prepared myself for a long wait. Guess what rolled up this morning? 7 days from when I submitted my order to arriving at my doorstep after being sent halfway across the world. I have waited longer for gear to get from the other side of Australia!!"

Rob Marchesi - Perth, Western Australia

"Excellent service, quick shipping and friendly. Thank You!"
Gary -  Omaha NE


"Hi Darren, your web-store is dangerous -
it's like Home Depot - you can't go in without coming out with something!"

Chuck Leavitt - Toms River NJ


"Dear Darren!   I get package today at my post office. Everything great - very well packed box, great humbuckers for my PRS and goodworked 12ax7ts tubes for my peamp. Thank you, Darren, so much!  Best Regards,"
Eugeny Romanov - Moscow Russia


"Darren - I was shocked to recieve your package today, since I just ordered it....If everbody had this kind of service
the world would be a better place. Being in the service bussiness myself , when I do good people tell me...

Just wanted to let you know U DID GOOD. And In the last year I have started collecting and building telecasters..if I need parts you will be my first choice.  Thanks"

Tom Patrick - Graham TX


"Hi Darren, Thanks so much for the super FAST shipment of my Fender jazzmaster parts.

Impeccable packaging. I sincerely appreciate it! This has been an excellent 'customer experience' and it is appreciated. Very friendly and fast service!  Thanks again, Darren!"

Philippe Fouley - France


"Hello Darren, I personally want to thank you for time and information you gave me over the phone. I ordered my parts from you on Friday and they arrived on Monday....WOW !!! Now that's "SERVICE" !!!!"

Richard Solis - Los Angeles CA


"PS  Thanks for the cool picks.

Peace, always"

G

send your comments

  

Darren Riley's Guitar & Amp Shop
5720-J Capital Blvd
Raleigh NC 27616

phone (919)877 0841

darrenriley@nc.rr.com