Malone Guitars Reviews

Leonard Kaye 2025.11.18

     

A friendly genius luthier Ian is friendly and knowledgeable and doesn’t judge your playing ability. His goal is to make your guitar as easy and playable for you personally. Ian has serviced 4 of my Martin acoustics and two Gibsons . All six have never played better. My only regret is I didn’t discover him sooner . Highly recommend him .

Date of experience: 13 November, 2025

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mdawg stanton 2025.10.08

     

Ian was super knowledgeable and kind. He had the patience to sit me down and go through everything about my guitar’s initial state/condition and what he would do to it to improve playability and feel. I only wish I would have gone to him sooner! A true expert in his craft and most importantly just a really lovely guy. I cannot recommend enough.

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S C 2025.09.01

     

Ian did a fantastic job on my bass, great service and also very friendly and knowledgeable, thanks Ian

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Tony Chalk 2025.06.28

     

I popped in for a repair on my bass, he not only managed that there and then but he went beyond that to ensure other issues were straightened out too. Very reasonable price and my guitar is sounding like new again. I highly recommend Malone Guitars for any guitar work.

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Hubert Byszewski 2025.03.05

     

Ian did a magnificent job installing a sustainiac into my guitar, no issues with it at all. Plus he gave my guitar some much needed cleaning up and a full service! Will be returning as a customer if I ever need any additional services done!

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Darren DMS Painting 2024.12.01

     

Ian at Malone Guitars did such a fantastic job on giving my acoustic some TLC and setting her up. She’s never played better. He was local to me in Billericay and was able to fit me in at short notice as I had a gig coming up. Thanks again Ian.

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Keith Barrows 2024.06.29

     

Excellent craftsmanship I have an old Wilson Rapier 22 which was in need of servicing and also repair to a few switches which did not work. Ian did a super job correcting everything which needed doing it now works perfectly. He listens to you and explains all he has done he is kind and friendly and I would recommend him to anyone who needs his expertise.

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Joe Brisley 2024.03.09

     

I had a wonderful experience with Malone Guitars. When I suspected my guitar needed servicing, I decided to give them a call. Instead of immediately suggesting I bring it in and spend money on repairs, they took the time to talk me through potential solutions over the phone. Incredibly helpful, they spent around 15 minutes providing guidance and even directed me to useful tools and articles online. Thanks to their assistance, I was able to resolve the issue on my own. I'm truly impressed by their dedication to customer service and will definitely be turning to Malone for all my future guitar needs. Highly recommended!

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Richard Offord 2024.02.14

     

Skilled luthier and technician I had no output at all from my electric guitar to the amp, so I arranged to drop it off with Ian. Ian identified the problem to be with some dodgy wiring, and quoted a fair price to fix it. It was fixed within the time frame and at the price agreed, and it now plays perfectly. Ian was a pleasure to deal with and I would have no hesitation in returning for any future repairs/upgrades.

Date of experience: 20 January, 2024

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Alexander D. 2024.01.09

     

Ian is a skilled luthier, and he is also exceptionally friendly and helpful.

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fReddy O 2023.12.30

     

Just the job... My late father's old archtop acoustic is playable again after Ian's expert repair and sensitive restoration work, which included a neck re-set, and a new hand-built bridge top section.

Date of experience: 24 November, 2023

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steve duff 2023.12.06

     

Bought myself an Epiphone Slash signature Les Paul but unfortunately out of the box it was set up incredibly poorly. Upon taking it to Ian we talked about how I'd like it to be set up i.e., string action and pickup adjustments (you can tell he really knows his stuff!) Now the guitar is an absolute dream to play, so much so I'm struggling to put it down! Thanks for the work Ian! definitely 5 stars well deserved and beyond

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Reply from Malone Guitars 2023.12.13

Thanks for the kind review Steven! I’m pleased to hear you like the set up work I did, it’s a really cool guitar 🎸

akitchenerful 2023.12.01

     

Used Malone for a service to a semi acoustic. Fantastic service from a very knowledgeable and genuine guy . Thanks for your help and the after care advice on the guitar much appreciated.

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Reply from Malone Guitars 2023.12.13

Thanks so much, that’s very kind! Really glad to have been able to help

Colin Nash 2023.11.27

     

I made a hash of converting my Aria bass to fretless. Luckily Ian was able to correct my mistakes and make suggestions which resulted in the bass exceeding my expectations. I now have a fretless bass which plays, sounds and looks amazing. Ian is very busy and you may have to wait a while before he tackles your repair. Be patient it's worth it in the end. Thanks Ian, I'll be seeing you again in the New Year.

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Reply from Malone Guitars 2023.12.13

Thanks for your patience and the great review Colin, it’s good of you to take the time to do it.
It was a real treat to work on your SB1000, as they’re pretty rare beasts and I’m be amazed to find another fretless out there. I’d have gladly kept it for myself!

Jane Higgins 2023.11.27

     

Excellent experience and I recommend Malone Guitars to everyone. Ian carried out a repair on my electro acoustic Takemine which had been broken for ages and is now back as good as new. I am delighted with the service. Malones also sells guitar bits for a good price and I’ll be going back next week to pick up a new case. Thanks very much.

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Reply from Malone Guitars 2023.12.13

Thanks for the kind feedback Jane, I’m happy to have been able to help.

Saskia Henn 2023.10.20

     

Ian is such a talented and knowledgeable luthier. I knew when I left my guitar with him that it was in good hands. I got it back today and am so grateful for the thought and care he put into repairing it. He's done a beautiful job and I'd recommend him to everyone!

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Reply from Malone Guitars 2023.12.13

Thank you for taking the time to leave such lovely feedback Saskia. It was very satisfying for me to make a replacement bridge to suit it and get it playable again. It’s an heirloom now! 😁

Andrew T. Cason 2023.10.18

     

Absolutely amazing and professional guitar luthier. I play for a living and recently moved here from the States, so finding a trustworthy and skilled luthier was of utmost importance--Ian is without a doubt both! He performed flawless fret work on my 1935 Gibson L-00. I was thoroughly impressed with his attention to detail regarding the work as well as his personable approach to me as a client. I will definitely be taking my other instruments to him when the time comes! Go to him, you will not regret it!

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Reply from Malone Guitars 2023.12.13

Thank you so much for the positive feedback Andrew. I know how important your Gibson is to you guys, and it was great to work on it for you. It was also really nice to get to know you guys a little too, I really love what you do! Thanks for having me over for your show 😃

Lee Bradford 2023.06.14

     

Ian refretted and set up my Squier JV Strat. My 40 year old strat now plays and sounds like a dream. Ian's craftsmanship and advice is unsurpassed. Many thanks once again Ian for your excellent service.

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Reply from Malone Guitars 2023.12.13

Super happy to have helped Lee. I love the JV strats and yours is a definite keeper! Thanks for the feedback 😁

Lydia Hurley 2023.02.25

     

Ian is an incredibly talented luthier, and his way of gentle restoration definitely confirms with my views of keeping things original! He has done a beautiful job of sympathetically maintaining a vintage banjo I bought for my partner, even hand making a new hold down piece for the resonator. I'm so glad I took my instrument to him and I've recommended him to all the musical friends I have. Thanks again Ian!

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Christine Collins 2023.02.18

     

Perfect Ian fixed the electrics on my electro acoustic and set it up, sounds a lot better than before, Highly recommended. (Still can't play like Eric though!!) Many Thanks

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