The Proverbial "We"
CLE Guitar Works:
The Idea and History
Let’s face it—CLE Guitar Works is just a one-man idea. Mine. While the website might say "we" here and there, the truth is, as of now, it’s just me, Josh Gaunt. The concept behind CLE Guitar Works comes from over 20 years of working hands-on with guitars. I’m not a player and never pretended to be. My focus has always been on making the impossible possible—fixing things, keeping the show running, and bringing guitars back from the brink.
My background is rooted in high-end repair work I learned in Chicago. That experience led me to touring with bands, where I learned how to solve problems under pressure and with minimal tools. Most road techs aren’t trained repair techs—I was. And now I’m bringing that same level of detail and commitment to the Cleveland area. After looking around and reading reviews, I realized something: there just aren’t many full-time, dedicated guitar repair shops around here. A lot of music stores offer repair services, but like I was once told—you can be good at a lot of things, or you can be great at one. I chose to be great at one.
How It Works:
The Plan and Operation Methods
While I’m still actively touring as a guitar tech for Bruno Mars, every bit of my off-road time—and energy—is fully committed to CLE Guitar Works. That means the shop doesn’t run like a typical 9-to-5 repair shop just yet, but when I’m here, I’m all in. I’m developing a transparent, user-friendly system that lets you book your repairs online at CLEGUITARWORKS.com—select the service you need, pick a time slot, and drop off your guitar.
Most repairs, like setups, fret levels, and electronics work, take only a couple of hours. Ideally, you can drop your guitar off, grab a cup of coffee or a beer, and come back to a better-playing instrument. Larger repairs, like neck resets or headstock breaks, will take longer and serve more as a "placeholder" when booked online. Those timelines will be discussed in person during drop-off.
If the online calendar is blocked off or you land on a "Gone on Tour" page, it means I’m out with the band, but you’ll be able to book as soon as I return. I’m also working on partnerships with local music stores to create convenient pickup and drop-off locations. The idea is to do small repairs on-site (like restrings, jack replacements, etc.) and bring larger jobs back to my shop, returning them the following week.
Looking Ahead:
The Future and Aspirations
The goal is simple: build something lasting. I’m actively searching for a permanent location to house CLE Guitar Works. Once I secure a lease, you’ll see updates right on the site. I’m also working on expanding to offer strings, parts, and accessories through the site, and eventually through partnerships with small guitar shops across Cleveland.
In time, I hope to transition fully off the road and into CLE Guitar Works full-time. But for now, it’s about building trust, gaining clients, and offering a higher standard of service that the Cleveland guitar community can count on. If you made it this far, thanks for reading. And if you like what I’m building here, feel free to help spread the word.
Joshua Gaunt
