Rob Matthews Guitar Repair

06/04/2026

On the bench last week: A stunning Mandolin made by Peter Madill in Auckland, 1981.

This has seen a lot of gigs but is still in great shape. A great sounding instrument.

After a fret dress/level/crown, deep setup with Thomastik flatwounds and some TLC it's ready to go for another 40+ years.

15/03/2026

Back in the workshop today after a busy weekend as Guitar tech for Villainy. Last 3 shows all within an 18 hour stretch.

1. Auckland - Big Fan
2. Hamilton - Homegrown
3. Hamilton - HG After party at Last Place
4 + 5. Under the Harbour Bridge - Tauranga

Nice to see so many clients, friends, familiar faces and guitars.

08/03/2026

A pleasure to prepare, tune and tech for the incredible Julia Deans last night at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts

14/01/2026

Happy new year.

Slowly easing into a fresh round of repair work after a short break over the new year period.

A few weeks ago marked 10 years of full-time repair work under my own name. I celebrated by finally commissioning a logo (no A.I. here). Artwork by Dan from

Limited run of merch now available.

Bookings currently available from Tuesday 20/1/2026.

Thanks to all the clients over the last ten years, and here’s to the next 10.

17/12/2025

25/11/2025

Back in the workshop today after 3 weeks on the road in NZ and Australia guitar tech-ing for Cowboy Junkies.

Good crew, great music, nice people.

🇨🇦 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 🎸

I have pre Christmas availability for: Setups, fretwork/refrets, structural repairs and more. Call/message to book.

18/10/2025

Yesterday was Double refret Friday. 2 late 1970s bolt-on maple necks with lacquer.

05/10/2025

Absolute brain melter in from

Very thin, very cool. Anodized aluminum construction.
I replaced the broken switch, grounded the bridge and modified the wiring to the clients spec.

22/09/2025

Client request: New Ebony nut for this ‘90s J45. Great guitar!

Most nuts I make and Bone and Tusq (graphtech). Nice to change it up once in a while.

14/09/2025

1970s Greco in the workshop last week for a refret, new nut, setup. Fun guitar!

09/09/2025

I had this 1970s Strat in the workshop recently for a re-fret.

There are some non original parts (tuners, bridge). But the client insisted I do NOT clean the guitar, and to leave the bottle opener attached to the front of the body. His wish is my command.

Great guitar, and now with playable frets again.