General Info

Originally founded by Virgil Lay in Akron, Ohio in 1962. Since then Lay's Guitar Shop has been serving amateur and professional musicians nationwide. Over the years Virgil has worked on instruments for such players as Joe Walsh and Phil Keagy, and bands such Bad Company, The Outlaws and The James Gang as well as many others. Virgil Lay now owns SIT Guitar String Company also based in Akron. Dan Shinn, the current owner, started working for Virgil Lay in 1979. He acquired the guitar repair shop from Virgil in the late '80's and to this day upholds the reputation for high quality repairs and restorations that has been the hallmark of Lay's Guitar Shop. Under Dan's management Lay's Guitar Shop has not only upheld the high standards set by Virgil Lay, but has expanded the business to accommodate an international market. This is due, in large part, to our finish and restoration department headed by Joel Shinn since 1991. Worldwide our vintage finishes and restorations are recognized as the finest and most authentic available today. In fact the phrase "Finished by Lay's Guitar Shop" is used as a selling point for dealers advertising in such international magazines as: Vintage Guitar and 20th Century Guitar. These instruments continue to bring a premium price due to the high quality of our finish and restoration work. Our services are frequently recommended by major guitar manufacturers such as: Fender, Gibson, and Martin Guitar Company. In addition, other highly qualified repair shops and retail stores throughout the country consistently send us instruments for our finish work. The same high standard of quality and eye for detail goes into every repair and restoration we do, regardless if you have a '65 Fender Mustang, '36 Martin Herringbone D-28 Shaded-Top or a '59 Flame-Top conversion. Rest assured if you are a regular Lay's customer or considering us for the first time, your instrument will receive the highest quality workmanship available anywhere at any price.