HomeNorth CarolinaApex › LabRat Guitar Workshop

LabRat Guitar Workshop

4.9 ★★★★★ 165 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Apex, North Carolina

Repairs & setups

Luthier specializing in guitar setup, repair, and modifications, as well as restoration.

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (919) 801-5699
  • Website labratguitarworkshop.com

Hours

Monday 9 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–6 PM
Thursday 9 AM–6 PM
Friday 9 AM–6 PM
Saturday 10 AM–3 PM
Sunday 10 AM–3 PM

Hours can shift for holidays, clinics, and lesson schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

What's on the wall

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

🎼 Acoustic Guitars 3 mentions

“Marty at Lab Rat Guitars did an absolutely phenomenal job refurbishing 2 1960’s Harmony Acoustic guitars that were my wife’s late father.”

All stores with acoustic guitars →

🎸 Electric Guitars 5 mentions

“My Fender Vintera 60's bass simply quit working one night, clearly an electronics issue, but I don't have the technical skills to work on the guts of an electric bass.”

All stores with electric guitars →

🎸 Bass Guitars 8 mentions

“If you are reading this, you are searching for a highly skilled and talented luthier to work on your treasured bass or guitar.”

All stores with bass guitars →

♻️ Used Gear 3 mentions

“Marty did an awesome job with a full setup on an old Epiphone that hadn't been used in a while.”

All stores with used gear →

🔧 Repairs & Setups 18 mentions

“If you are reading this, you are searching for a highly skilled and talented luthier to work on your treasured bass or guitar.”

All stores with repairs & setups →

Brands they deal

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

🏷️ Fender 2 mentions

“My Fender Vintera 60's bass simply quit working one night, clearly an electronics issue, but I don't have the technical skills to work on the guts of an electric bass.”

Who else deals Fender →

🏷️ Martin

“I bought a new Martin Modern Deluxe guitar and it came from the factory with very high action.”

Who else deals Martin →

🏷️ Taylor

Who else deals Taylor →

🏷️ PRS

“Marty replaced the nut on my PRS DGT SE.”

Who else deals PRS →

🏷️ Ibanez

Who else deals Ibanez →

🏷️ Epiphone

“Marty did an awesome job with a full setup on an old Epiphone that hadn't been used in a while.”

Who else deals Epiphone →

🏷️ Rickenbacker

“I have three other basses and a Rickenbacker on the way.”

Who else deals Rickenbacker →

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 165 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🔧 expert setups & repairs 12 mentions

“If you are reading this, you are searching for a highly skilled and talented luthier to work on your treasured bass or guitar.”

🧠 knowledgeable staff 3 mentions

“If you live anywhere in the Metro Raleigh area, Marty's service and expertise is worth drive.”

From the reviews

Marty was great! We weren’t certain the problem and decided on a very simple fix first to simply save his time and my money. And he was right…problem solved. My Tele’s high E was slipping out of the nut and the tree.

★★★★★ — Howard, Jan 2023

My newest addition to the Cobain guitar collection. The 1969 Competition Burgandy Fender Mustang with some customized, subtle changes. This one sounds great. Especially after taking it to LabRat Guitar Workshop in Apex, North Carolina for a set up, and the works.

★★★★★ — Rick, Feb 2024

I cannot say enough good things about the work that Marty did on my guitar and how easy he was to work with. I took him my acoustic with a broken headstock and the repair was beyond my expectations. He was communicative throughout the repair process and sent videos along the way to keep me updated on his progress.

★★★★★ — Brendan, Sep 2025

I bought a new Martin Modern Deluxe guitar and it came from the factory with very high action. It also has a unique asymmetrical neck that may take some time to get used to.

★★★★★ — Derrick, Jan 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 165 reviews →

Where to find LabRat Guitar Workshop

8616 Bells Lake Rd, Apex, NC27539

Get directions Instagram

Guitar stores near LabRat Guitar Workshop

Real Products

208 Bountywood Dr, Apex, NC

4.2 miles away

Apex Guitar Rescue

4.9 ★★★★★ 49 reviews

4112 Summer Ridge Ct, Apex, NC

Repairs & setups Vintage specialist expert setups & repairsfair trade-in offers

4.2 miles away

Hueite Custom Guitars

4.5 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

1019 Investment Blvd Unit A 19, Apex, NC

Repairs & setups expert setups & repairsfair trade-in offers

7.2 miles away

All guitar stores in Apex, NC →

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.