Luthier Spotlight: Angus of Minor Fret Guitar Repairs

We are delighted to shine a light on Minor Fret Guitar Repairs, a North London workshop dedicated to the care, repair and maintenance of guitars with precision, experience and musical understanding.

Behind Minor Fret is Angus — a skilled luthier and guitar technician whose journey brings together playing experience, work with bands and sound systems, formal lutherie training, guitar building, and years of hands-on repair work.

His background gives him a thoughtful understanding not only of how guitars are made, but also of how musicians use them, depend on them and connect with them.

For guitarists, students, collectors and anyone interested in the craft behind a well-playing instrument, Angus’s work offers a fascinating insight into the practical skill, patience and judgement required to keep guitars sounding, feeling and performing at their best.

Stefan: Can you tell us how Minor Fret Guitar Repairs began, and what first drew you into lutherie and guitar repair?

Angus: I started Minor Fret Guitar Repairs six years ago.

I had been working full-time as a guitar repair technician prior to this, but decided to establish my own business.

My formal training began in 2006, when I enrolled in a two-year Foundation Degree in guitar-making.

As well as learning how to build acoustic guitars, there was some tuition in instrument restoration and a work-experience period in a guitar repairs workshop.

After graduation, I began building my own designs of electric guitars and basses and continued to gain experience in repair work.

Stefan: You relocated to London in 2006 to study lutherie.

What inspired that move, and what was the most important thing you learnt during that period?

Angus: I had been playing guitar since my early teens, and had a background in 3D design, woodworking and jewellery-making, so my decision to move to London was driven by a desire to combine all of these elements.

I suppose that the most important thing that I learnt from this is how much I value learning and developing new skills.

Stefan: Before becoming a luthier and guitar technician, you spent years playing, working with bands and sound systems, and helping to organise alternative festivals.

How did those experiences shape the way you understand guitars and musicians?

Angus: Learning how to work under pressure, whilst maintaining a level head and a sense of humour.

Stefan: How would you describe your work today to someone who is not familiar with the role of a luthier or guitar technician?

Angus: Broadly speaking, it is the maintenance and repairing of guitars; more specifically, it relates to helping a player to get the most from their instrument.

Stefan: What do you enjoy most about repairing and maintaining instruments?

Angus: It is always a pleasure when clients tell me that the work I have done has made them happy.

Stefan: You have worked on both modern and vintage instruments.

How does your approach change when you are working on an older guitar?

Angus: With older instruments, particularly if it is a type or model that I am less familiar with, I will often do a fair amount of research before deciding upon a repair strategy.

Generally, my overall approach remains the same for all jobs: it is someone’s guitar, so I give it my full attention.

“Angus and the Art of Keeping Guitars Playing Beautifully”

A great setup can transform the way a guitar feels, sounds and responds, helping musicians play with greater comfort and confidence.

Stefan: What makes a guitar feel truly comfortable and inspiring to play?

Angus: The ergonomics of the guitar aside, a well-executed setup tailored to the individual’s style of playing will probably provide the best results.

Stefan: Many guitarists underestimate the value of a good setup.

What can a professional setup change about the way a guitar feels and sounds?

The ergonomics of the guitar aside, a well-executed setup tailored to the individual’s style of playing will probably provide the best results.

Stefan: When a player brings you an instrument for the first time, what are the first things you look for?

Angus: Firstly, I will ask the client if there are any particular issues that they have with the guitar.

After that, I will give it an initial overall inspection to see if there are any other areas of concern, and then discuss what work can be done.

Stefan: How do you balance technical precision with the personal playing style of each guitarist?

Angus: As far as possible, I will endeavour to match the player’s requirements to what is possible within the scope of what a given instrument can provide, or to explain why those two things might not be compatible.

Stefan: What are some of the most common guitar problems you see in your workshop?

Angus: Worn frets and nuts; poorly executed factory setups and lack of quality control on some new guitars; damaged hardware; electronics issues; cracks and breaks in necks or bodies.

Stefan: For beginner and adult guitar students, how can they tell whether a guitar is genuinely difficult to play or whether it simply needs attention?

Angus: If a guitar feels hard to play, beyond having a lack of playing experience, and/or does not play in tune, it will almost certainly benefit from having some attention.

It could be that it just needs setting up, but there might also be a structural issue.

“His Craft Behind Great Guitar Performance”

Whether diagnosing common issues or refining a setup, Angus’s work is guided by precision, experience and a deep understanding of players’ needs.

Stefan: What advice would you give to someone buying their first serious guitar?

Angus: Go to a few decent guitar shops, ideally when they are not too busy, explain what type of guitar you are interested in and your approximate budget, and then play a selection.

Guitars, particularly acoustics, can vary a great deal in their sound and playability.

I would not recommend buying a guitar without having played it first — that actual guitar, as opposed to the same model bought online.

Stefan: When is it better to repair, adjust or upgrade an existing guitar rather than buying a new one?

Angus: If you like how a particular guitar feels to play, and it is within your financial means to have it repaired or modified, then that can certainly be worthwhile.

However, if that guitar is not really going to be suitable for the type of modification you require, or is so damaged that repairing it is not economically viable, a new one might be a better option.

Stefan: Your website mentions that you continue to develop experimental instruments.

What interests you about experimentation in guitar design?

Angus: Experimentation in guitar design can be very exciting, although for an innovation to be truly ground-breaking, it needs to be useful in practice.

Stefan: What do you think about tone when working on an instrument?

Angus: Other than in the use of a few broadly agreed terms, accurately describing tone is incredibly difficult, as it is so subjective.

Ultimately, when designing and building an instrument, guitar pickup or effects pedal, the maker is probably going to be guided by their own perception, although an oscilloscope can be useful too.

Stefan: What role do materials, setup, electronics and the player’s touch each play in the final sound of a guitar?

Angus: In ascending order of importance, I would say: materials, structural design and quality, especially for acoustics, methods of amplification for electrics, and the player’s ability.

“A Lifetime of Learning Through Guitars”

Years of repair work, craftsmanship and experience with musicians have shaped Angus’s thoughtful approach to keeping guitars playing beautifully.

Stefan: What has been one of the most challenging repairs you have worked on?

Angus: Neck resets are always a refreshing reminder of how challenging repairs can be.

Stefan: Have you ever repaired or restored an instrument with a particularly interesting story behind it?

Angus: Yes, but professional discretion prevents me from saying more.

Stefan: What do you find most satisfying: solving a serious repair problem, improving playability, or helping a player rediscover an instrument they had almost given up on?

Angus: They are all very satisfying outcomes; I suppose the ideal would be all three at the same time!

Stefan: What should guitarists do at home to keep their instruments in good condition?

Angus: Maintain stable levels of ambient temperature and humidity; avoid storing them in direct sunlight or near radiators; keep them in a hard case or on a reliable stand or hanger; play them regularly and look out for any significant changes in playability.

Stefan: You worked on instruments in London’s Denmark Street, which has such a strong guitar history.

What was that experience like?

Angus: It was great.

I was fortunate enough to be around a lot of very knowledgeable musicians, technicians and amazing instruments.

Stefan: What do you find most rewarding about the life of a luthier and guitar technician?

Angus: I am very glad to be able to make my living from a set of skills that provide me with a lot of satisfaction, interest and inspiration.

Stefan: Finally, what is the best way for players to contact you, and what should they prepare before bringing an instrument to Minor Fret Guitar Repairs?

Angus: Fairly concise queries with some basic information about the instrument or instruments and what might be required are always welcome.

The best way to contact me is by emailing: enquiries@minorfret.co.uk.

Angus, thank you ever so much for offering your time and insight.

It has been a real pleasure learning more about your journey, your work, and the care that goes into repairing, maintaining and improving guitars.

Your experience, curiosity and dedication to helping instruments play beautifully are truly admirable and we are delighted to share your story with our readers at the London Guitar Institute.

John, thank you ever so much for offering your time and insight.

It has been a real pleasure learning more about your work, your approach to guitar repair, and the care that goes into making instruments feel and sound their best.

Your technical knowledge, attention to detail and respect for each player’s needs are truly admirable and we are delighted to share your story with our readers at the London Guitar Institute.

Angus of Minor Fret Guitar Repairs

Angus’s journey into lutherie combines musicianship, craftsmanship and years of hands-on repair experience. After moving to London in 2006 to study guitar making, he developed his skills in building, restoration and guitar repair. He later founded Minor Fret Guitar Repairs, a North London workshop offering setups, fretwork, repairs and maintenance for players of all levels. With a careful, practical and player-focused approach, Angus helps guitars feel, sound and perform at their best.
Contact: enquiries@minorfret.co.uk
Website: www.minorfret.co.uk