A Reputation Earned Over Time
Reflections from players who know his work best
Where do I begin, Kenny was introduced through my friend by word of mouth. I was told “He is the best around here, and really anywhere!” I remember dropping my guitar off and feeling like I knew Kenny for years. He always listened to my concerns about the guitar, and would give me advice from years of playing and working with guitars. Never once did he tell me “you don’t want to do that,” or “that won’t work.” He always shows you respect and listens. Every time I got my guitar back, it just felt right, it felt brand new. That was due to Kenny taking the time to talk with you about the instrument, and caring about your instrument like his own, you are never a burden with Kenny. My wife always would ask me, “what took so long at Kenny’s?” I say “we lost track of time, just talking shop.” That is why Kenny is hands down the best there is, and I will always call him a friend.
– Brandon Price (2012 Fender Stratocaster 50’s reissue)Kenny has maintained multiple guitars of mine, however my 1975 Tele is the one I’d like to share with the world. I purchased it from a friend that inherited from his Grandfather (original owner). Kenny did a complete re-fret on the neck, and even stained it in the end to make it look close to the original aging. The guitar had been sitting around for many years unplayed, and Kenny brought it back to life. He did try to buy it off me, he’s a smooth talker but I was able to stand my ground and say no.
– Thomas McCuen (1975 Fender Telecaster Custom)In the late 1990s, I was playing in a local cover band, and a bunch of stopped in a music store on the Southside to get strings, batteries, and other gig accessories. Kenny was working as a 'luthier' at this store, and they were having a 'Free Restringing' promotion, where they would restring your instrument with new strings for free. I handed Kenny my 1986 Fender Strat with the locking System 1 tremolo. I mentioned that it has been breaking strings at the saddles and at the string lock. He inspected it and smoothed out any burrs and rough edges that he found. He was real personable and we talked about my guitar for several minutes. Super nice and knowledgeable. I recommended him to my cousin, and he repaired a guitar for him as well.
– Lee Matthews (1986 Strat)Kenny has worked on two of my most treasured guitars….fret work and neck….never have found anyone better…till this day ..the set up on these guitar from 80s still perfect…I know Kenny from his days of working at Zion Guitar…I think he lived in Jamestown back then…he moved to Vir.Beach…and I lost track of him…he’s done a lot of set ups for a lot great and famous guitarist…he treats everyone of them like it was his own…he is one of the great craftsman…not many like him! I trust him…I’m glade to hear he is still doing obvious what he truly loves…thank you Kenny you are the best!
– Ed Stainback (59 Les Paul Jr…original.)When I saw the opportunity to leave a testimonial for Kenny Marshall, I felt honored to do so. After having Kenny work on five to six of my guitars for the last 8 to 10 years, I have come to respect his work like no other luthier or guitar expert I’ve ever met. I think of Kenny more like an Angel for instruments. I own guitars that are either so monetarily valuable or valuable me that I won’t let anyone else touch them or play them, yet I have no concern handing them over to Kenny to take completely apart and put back together. Kenny Marshall is more suited to work & build guitars than anyone else I know, by a six string mile!! It’s an honor to have him work on my instruments and an honor to leave this testimonial to help him with his new guitar line. My wife’s gonna hate me because I probably need one more guitar now…
– Robbyn Gayer (Equator arch-top hollowbody)My guitar was stolen and hidden outside over night. That night we had a terrible rain storm and my guitar was unplayable and considered destroyed. I called Kenny and took to him and he brought it back to life. Plays phenomenal sounds like heaven all thanks to Kenny Marshall’s dedication to perfection and decades of luthier knowledge. Your the best “Fret Doctor”.
Before my Sire bass, I had my Ibanez bass. Any instrument, I trust Mr. Kenny! He's the man and always right on the money.
– Donald Hurdle (Sire Bass V9) – Donny Brezina Jr (Gibson Les Paul 2005)
Kenny is absolutely the best luthier in the area. Kenny re-fretted my main squeeze, a ‘95 Strat with stainless and it plays like butter.
– J.D. Silvia (95 American Standard Strat)Kenny is a master! I've used him for at least a couple of decades now to replace my frets, adjust my action and setup, and even do major MAJOR repairs on my broken guitar. His attention to detail is always assuring and I'm always 100% satisfied with all of his work. Thank you so much, Kenny!
– Jon (Martin DR 1999)
Kenny is one of the most talented and nicest people I have ever met. His work on my basses has been superb in all aspects. Highly recommended.
– Bobby Smith (Fender and Musicman basses)
Kenny has refretted about 10-12 guitars for me. When he is done they play perfectly; always better than expected. He’s also done other numerous repairs/upgrades for me through the years. Kenny is truly a treasure to all the musicians that have discovered his talents.
– Curtis Proffitt (several instruments)
From the moment Kenny performed a fret dressing on one of my guitars, I experienced unparalleled playability that was never there before, even from the factory. I've brought about 6-7 other guitars to Kenny over the years, even after moving out of town, for his magic touch – whether it was for a fret dressing, a complete re-fretting, pickup upgrades, or for woodwork repair on my classical guitar. I even apprenticed with Kenny for a day or two, but I couldn't see the tiny fret-to-fret variances he showed me under fluorescent light. I realized then that I should let a professional like Kenny do what he does best, and I'll just be a happy customer. We recently retired to Pensacola, FL after my career in the Navy Music program, but I still recommend that my guitarist friends mail their instruments to Kenny or drop them off if they're in the area – it's a no-brainer for anyone who wants their guitars to play like butter. Kenny is also the most likable, understanding and patient guy, a great conversationalist and friend. The attached picture of my guitar wall-hanger shows five of the guitars that have been through Kenny's shop.
– Ben Coker (several instruments)Kenny set up my strat after I purchased it new back in 1993. He later added a JB humbucker and Fishman bridge a few years later. That guitar still plays like a monster and stays in tune. Has not needed additional tuneups since then. It is worn on the fretboard finish from a few decades of use but still plays like a champ! Kenny is simply the best.
– Lance Bailey
(1993 Fender American Stratocaster)
I didn’t know how well a guitar could play until I had Kenny work on one of mine. Since then I’ve had about 10 instruments go through his shop for setup and repair. He’s the best around.
– James Giblin (several)I have known Kenny Marshall since the mid 1980's when I worked for a music store in Norfolk, VA. I have followed him through his years as a master guitar luthier. Kenny took my very modest acoustic guitar (Yamaha DW-4SC) and made it play and sing as no other acoustic I ever had. I know that Kenny has worked on some of the finest and most cherished guitars that have ever been made, collectibles worth ten of thousands of dollars. But what he did for my very modest guitar speaks volumes of his talent and mastery. To have a guitar that plays so beautifully is a treat. No buzz from the frets, just pure pleasure and enjoyment in playing. Kenny Marshall is the best master luthier and I look forward to experiencing the craftsmanship in his personally branded guitars.
– Kenneth Wingate (Yamaha DW-4SC 1996 Acoustic)I took my guitar to Kenny three years ago. This guitar has been with me for 29 years. He did a deep setup, fixed the jack port, and replaced all three pickups with custom-made ones. It’s an Ibanez RG270 with 24 frets, and honestly, it has never sounded or felt this good—not even when it was brand new. Kenny did an outstanding job. Highly recommended!
– Félix Chin (Ibáñez RG 270 1995)
I’ve worked at a prestigious guitar factory alongside some of the best West Coast builders. When I needed a refret for my 63 Stratocaster I trembled that it wouldn’t play as well as it had been playing. I was right. It played even better than the original. He has the magic touch when it comes to instrument set ups. I worked alongside Kenny in a retail situation and referred many musicians to take their instrument to Kenny. Every one of them were thrilled with the work he returned. All this, AND he’s a really wonderful human being. I’d put him at the top of the list nationwide.
– David Paranzino (1963 Fender Stratocaster)I've followed Kenny all over Tidewater. He always delivers the finest quality workmanship. He built a Telecaster for me from a box full of parts that I brought to him. It is as good for fit and finish, and playability as any Custom shop instrument
– Frank Jackso
(Custom made Telecaster)
Kenny has setup countless guitars for me over the years. Every guitar I purchased, from $200 to $2000 always went straight to Kenny. The magic he worked perfecting every detail of the fretboard to get the ‘perfect’ action, was untouched. My #1, which is a parts caster, Kenny made play better than any custom shop I have touched. He wouldn’t let me leave with it until I told him what parts were used HAHA!
– Justin Taylor (Custom built Strat copy)
I have been a customer of Kenny Marshall since 1996 and I am playing 4 nights a week now. My 11 instruments are only worked on by Kenny.
– Michael Durig
(Buscarino Monarch 7 string)