HomeNew YorkAlbany › Kokotele Guitar Works

Kokotele Guitar Works

5 ★★★★★ 63 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Albany, New York

Repairs & setups

Repair shop specializing in acoustic and electric guitars and basses.

Plan your visit

  • Repairs & setups a repair bench comes up in reviews and the store's own info — call ahead for turnaround, since good techs run a queue
  • Website kokoteleguitarworks.com

What's on the wall

Instrument and gear categories at Kokotele Guitar Works, confirmed in players' own reviews and the store's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🎼 Acoustic Guitars 7 mentions

“I called about the bridge very slightly coming off my daughter's Baby Taylor, as well as her desire to switch to nylon strings on a guitar that was made for steel.”

All stores with acoustic guitars →

🎸 Electric Guitars 13 mentions

“Got Premium, and Standard Setups, the original plastic nuts replaced with bone (both electrics), plus a crack in the acoustic bridge repaired.”

All stores with electric guitars →

🎸 Bass Guitars 6 mentions

“Took my fender jazz bass to Eric to replace a stripped truss nut and replace the bridge.”

All stores with bass guitars →

🔧 Repairs & Setups 15 mentions

“He removed the dead pickup and installed the new one, did an outstanding setup on the guitar, and had it ready for me in half the time he'd (conservatively) estimated.”

All stores with repairs & setups →

Brands they deal

Brands players name in their reviews of Kokotele Guitar Works — the fastest way to tell what's actually hanging on the wall before you drive over.

🏷️ Fender 3 mentions

“Both of my guitars (Squier Jaguar and a Fender Telecaster Custom) have been done at his shop and each one sounds like it's brand new again!”

Who else deals Fender →

🏷️ Gibson

“Had Eric do a set up on my ancient 1966 Gibson acoustic.”

Who else deals Gibson →

🏷️ Martin

“Eric made my 20 year old Martin guitar play easier than it ever has (action was probably too high to start with and has gotten higher over the years).”

Who else deals Martin →

🏷️ Ibanez

“I have an Ibanez acoustic I'd just about given up on.”

Who else deals Ibanez →

🏷️ Squier

“Both of my guitars (Squier Jaguar and a Fender Telecaster Custom) have been done at his shop and each one sounds like it's brand new again!”

Who else deals Squier →

Brand mentions are mined from reviews and the store's own info — they tell you what's on the wall, not formal authorized-dealer status. If warranty coverage matters, confirm dealer status with the store or the brand's own dealer locator.

What players say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 63 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🔧 expert setups & repairs 13 mentions

“He removed the dead pickup and installed the new one, did an outstanding setup on the guitar, and had it ready for me in half the time he'd (conservatively) estimated.”

🧠 knowledgeable staff 6 mentions

“It was clearly more important to him to give me his time and expertise than to make money on expensive fixes I might not need.”

💵 good value 3 mentions

“His work was great, affordable and quick—he had my guitar back in just a few days—and he’s a super nice guy.”

From the reviews

I typically like to do my own set-ups, but occasionally, I run into a situation where no matter how much truss rod and bridge height adjustments I've made, I still get fret buzz. When this happens, I acknowledge to myself that this guitar needs a pro and I pick up the phone and call Eric.

★★★★★ — Mark, Aug 2017

Kokotele Guitar Works was by far the best place to get a guitar repaired. I have had some experiences in the past with guitar techs, and each one doesn't compare to Eric's work. Eric is professional, punctual, and fair with his prices on repairs. Best of all, the work is superb! Very well done.

★★★★★ — Robert, Aug 2014

I totally recommend Kokotele Guitar Works. The bridge pickup in my 90's Telecaster B-Bender died. I never liked the sound of it that much anyway. Eric diagnosed the problem and helped me land on the perfect replacement, a Seymour Duncan Jerry Donahue model.

★★★★★ — Mark, May 2022

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a professional tech so close to home. After reading so many positive reviews I gave Eric a shot and I am glad that I did. He did a great job lowering the very high from-the-factory action on my new Martin 000 and was honest about his workload and schedule.

★★★★★ — John, Nov 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 63 reviews →

Where to find Kokotele Guitar Works

115 S Main Ave, Albany, NY12208

Get directions Facebook

Guitar stores near Kokotele Guitar Works

under a mile away

Last Vestige Music Shop

4.7 ★★★★★ 298 reviews

173 Quail St, Albany, NY

Buys used gear Vintage specialist fair trade-in offersgood value

Eclectic shop, with 3 floors carrying old and new vinyl albums, CDs, and tapes.

under a mile away

John Keal Music Company, Inc.

4.4 ★★★★☆ 166 reviews

819 Livingston Ave, Albany, NY

Lessons Repairs & setups expert setups & repairsplays well with beginners

Veteran store stocking woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments, plus repair services.

1.3 miles away

All guitar stores in Albany, NY →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and player reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this store? Claim your listing — it's free.