Letters of Recommendation

Letters and reviews from satisfied customers

April 2013

Aditya Gahlawat

11 months ago

I travel a lot between Chicago and Grenoble, France for my Ph.D. and I always carry my electric with me. On international flights I’ve never had a problem with the guitar going in the closet. However, this time I had to fly from Chicago to ASU for a couple of months. After reading horrible stories of guitars on domestic flights (I’m from India, I don’t fly domestic a lot in US) I was genuinely worried about what would happen if I had to check in my soft case Schecter. Thus, being the idiot I am, I tuned down my strings and my Floyd Rose went mental. After going over reviews I decided on Beck’s. Best decision, never before I’ve had excellent service like this. The guy works from home, so after initially biking down to his place in the Arizona heat, which made me feel as if my kidneys were on fire, and making my way past his vicious guard dogs, which are actually teeny weeny cute puppies, his wife greeted me. After we discussed the guitar things, the lovely couple asked me about myself and we ended up having a lovely conversation. I was given the same warm welcome when I went to pick up my guitar and as all reviews suggest, there was no question about the man’s skill. Some of the reviews complain about him being impolite and crass, which may be true, but in my case, it was the exact opposite.

 

From Yelp

Phil R. Peoria, AZ

4/19/2013

You need work done on your guitar or bass? Get Beck!

Rich is the only guy I have trusted for over 25 years for my basses. I play in a professional recording and touring band. My bass is the tool of my trade and Rich made sure it worked no matter where I was in the world. I was in Birmingham England and I was getting a bit of fret buzz. Rich told me to take it to a shop and tell the tech to give my truss rod a quarter turn

From: David Van Kleeck
To: Becksgtrs2@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Apr 22, 2010 12:12 am
Subject: Thank you

Hello Mr. Richard Beck 🙂

Today, Mark Schneider called me saying you had mentioned my name for setting up his guitar. I can’t tell you what an honor it was to hear that! I have held your work in the highest esteem since your days at Precision Guitar, back when you worked on my Dennis Meredith Strat I had christened Alethea. I wonder if you remember that?

Every time I have a prospective client who needs something beyond my ability, or I’m too tied up to give them what they need I always send them to you and no-one else. I will be placing a direct link to your Website on ALL of my Websites, from the Computer Service corporation I own and operate called Peak Performance Computer Specialists, Inc., to my various band Websites and on in to my two Guitar/Bass repair and customization websites of PPCS-CustomGuitars.com and Dave-TheGuitarMan.com.

I hope my schedule allows me to call for permission to stop by and visit a few minutes sometime in the near future! And if there is EVER anything I can do for you, which includes;

  • Jasongs Recording Studio– (a Disc Makers Pro Studio Partner) for FREE recording time or
    • On-Site Recording via Alesis HD24
    • Setting up and running FOH & Monitor Sound (if you play live)
    • Setting up and running Lights – I have a full light system complete with DMX fixtures (including a High End Intellibeam with Iris) run by my NSI MLC-16D motorized light control board
  • Peak Performance Computer Specialists, Inc.– Website & Graphics, Hosting, and SEO/SES Services that have all my Client’s sites in the Top 20 of every major search engine, every single month, with a money back guarantee!

So, thank you again for your referral. You really made my day!

Peace Always and All Ways!

Respectfully,
David Van Kleeck

——–MUSIC WEBSITES——–

Dave Van Kleeck on Live Blues World
Official CrossTown Band Site
CrossTown on YouTube
CrossTown Band Fan Site
Dave Van Kleeck on MySpace

From: Facebook
To: Richard Beck
Sent: Sun, Apr 18, 2010 8:59 pm
Subject: Dan King commented on his photo…

Dan King commented on his photo:

“The strat that Rich built. The strat that I played for 20 years, bought a house, and put my kid through college with?

And you wonder why people love you.”

Sent: Tue, Mar 30, 2010 4:26 pm
Subject: Letter of Recommendation

I recently purchased a Gibson L4a. It was a great guitar but the action was so high that it was almost impossible to play. I wanted it for finger picking, but with the action like it was it just wasn’t possible.

I had heard about Richard so I gave him a call and explained my problem. He felt that he could take care of it and to bring the guitar over.

The result was absolutely incredible. Richard had adjusted and set up the guitar to where it played like my Gibson Electric. It is a dream to play now. I have practiced with this guitar for hours at a time and love the way it plays.

Richard is an exceptional master of his craft and he has my highest recommendation.

Gary Nelson
AKA Willlies Boy 🙂

From Google Reviews
The man knows his stuff!
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 By Andy – Mar 3, 2010

I’ve been playing stringed instruments for years and when my ukulele developed a nasty buzz on a few frets I found Rich’s website and thought I’d give him a call. It was clear to me right from the outset that this is a man who knows his craft. Contrary to some of the negative reviews here, he was helpful right away (and believe me as a uke player I’ve come to expect to be treated with derision from certain sectors of the guitar playing world). He knowledgeably speculated on what might be the cause, and even offered advice for fix I might try myself (no thanks, I manage to glue my fingers together every time I have to repair anything). When I arrived he was working with another customer and finished up with that fellow by offering to do a quick fix on his bridge for free (also contrary to some of the negative reviews here).

The work he did on my uke was terrific — he fixed it as much as it can be fixed and even undid some ill-advised tinkering that someone far less professional than Rich had inflicted on my instrument (“He should be beaten with a spoon” was the worst Rich had to say about him). It now plays better than new. We had a very pleasant conversation about various guitarists, types woods used in making ukuleles, meeting our favorite musicians. He’s certainly eccentric and confident in his abilities, but one shouldn’t expect a luthier to behave like a banker. I’d gladly use his services again.

From Google Reviews
The man knows his stuff!
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 By Andy – Mar 3, 2010

I’ve been playing stringed instruments for years and when my ukulele developed a nasty buzz on a few frets I found Rich’s website and thought I’d give him a call. It was clear to me right from the outset that this is a man who knows his craft. Contrary to some of the negative reviews here, he was helpful right away (and believe me as a uke player I’ve come to expect to be treated with derision from certain sectors of the guitar playing world). He knowledgeably speculated on what might be the cause, and even offered advice for fix I might try myself (no thanks, I manage to glue my fingers together every time I have to repair anything). When I arrived he was working with another customer and finished up with that fellow by offering to do a quick fix on his bridge for free (also contrary to some of the negative reviews here).

The work he did on my uke was terrific — he fixed it as much as it can be fixed and even undid some ill-advised tinkering that someone far less professional than Rich had inflicted on my instrument (“He should be beaten with a spoon” was the worst Rich had to say about him). It now plays better than new. We had a very pleasant conversation about various guitarists, types woods used in making ukuleles, meeting our favorite musicians. He’s certainly eccentric and confident in his abilities, but one shouldn’t expect a luthier to behave like a banker. I’d gladly use his services again.

From Google Reviews
Eccentric, tortured genius…
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 By Rick – Dec 9, 2009

Say what you will about Richard Beck. The man pioneered techniques and invented tools that have been imitated (but never duplicated)by the likes of Dan Erlewine (Stewart MacDonald’s Guitar Shop Supply) and many other luthiers around the country. The man’s passion is evident in the impeccable work he performs. I don’t want to get into the man’s personality traits because you and I are probably no more affable or tactful. Richard is a straight shooter and if you are hypersensitive then look elsewhere (but suffer the consequences of less than adequate guitar repair,building and refretting from someone else).

Richard has now refretted a total of ten (yes TEN) of my guitars and subsequently transformed them into treasures. Each guitar that has received the Beck treatment is equally inspiring to play. Richard corrected the horrible flaws that Gibson and Fender are passing off as acceptable. There is a very good reason that Glenn Campbell, Chris Squire, George Lynch, Michael Schenker, Ray Herndon etc. (the list goes on and on)turn to Rich Beck for their guitar repair. One of my strats that Rich refretted was seen by Andy Brauer (tech to the stars)in North Hollywood CA and he gave Rich’s fretwork a major thumbs up.Also Rich’s prices are more reasonable in comparison to(say for instance)a Hollywood,CA repair shop.Oh yeah.Rich is now working on refretting guitar number eleven for me. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with refrets of my beloved guitars.

From Google Reviews
Great work, highly recomended
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 By pbg – Dec 6, 2009

Mr. Beck performed a full refret on my EB Music Man Silhouette Special and my playing partners Gibson SG. Both instruments were better than new when he was through with them. The frets were smooth, even, the action perfect and intonation spot on. I have worked w/ other luthiers in the Phoenix area and Rich is easily the most knowledgeable and does the best work. I note that some of the more passionate negative posts never actually had work done by Mr. Beck and were mainly putting off by his perceived lack of people skills. I had no problems doing business with Rich and the work on the instrument, which is really the measure that matters, was the best.

To: becksgtrs2@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Jan 25, 2010 10:24 am
Subject: Karl Jacobs- Orange Dean Performer

Mr Beck,
I wanted to thank you for the excellent job of refretting and setting up my guitar. After years of playing it to death, I thought it was just that…dead. When I brought it to you for a refret in hopes of maybe having a semi-decent sounding guitar again, I was beyond thrilled that when I got it back it sounded better that it did new. I had notes once again that I hadn’t heard in years. The action you set feels great, no snags on the frets and well toned notes from end to end. After a month of breaking in my guitar it only gets better as it settles in. I’ve also noticed how much clearer it sounds when I mic it at my apt to record. You’ll surely hear from me again when I get the funds together to put my Tele together, I’ll need a setup and I’ll need it done right…I already know who to turn to.

Thank you
Karl Jacobs

Rating: 5.0
Comments: If you’re in the Phoenix area and need to get your quality guitar repaired or adjusted, Rich Beck is DA MAN! I own a 1970 Martin D-18 I was seriously considering selling for a very modest price due to the fact that it had a horrible action, crappy intonation and was impossible to play above the 12th fret due to a humongous hump in the fretboard. I had Rich do a refret job on it and it came back playing like a Les Paul. It now is one of the nicest instruments I’ve ever played. I’m equally satisfied with the refret job Rich did on my ’72 SG Pro. I also had Rich do a custom setup on a Taylor 314-ce I bought at the Tempe Guitar Center. Taylors are supposed to play like electrics right out of the factory. Well this one didn’t until Rich got his hands on it. But now it’s everything I expect out of a Taylor. I don’t know how Rich’s handmade guitars sound as I don’t have nearly the bucks to afford one — yet. But I am sure, given Rich Beck’s awesome talents as a luthier and repairman, they are great. This guy is the real thing, trust me.

Reviewer: Peter Hickey
Post Date: 11/03/2003
Link to original post: http://www.guitarnotes.com/reviews/reviewget.cgi?rid=12502