About Matt Umanov Guitars

Repairing and restoring top-grade fretted instruments is where I started out in the early 1960s in Greenwich Village, several years before opening my store here. It began with fixing everything I could find as a little kid, gaining tool skills and woodworking and machine skills along the way, and knowledge of processing all kinds of natural materials (wood, metal, plastics, glass and more) for manufacturing processes. Having also grown up in the music world since infancy, building and rebuilding musical instruments came naturally in my teenage years and by the time I was fourteen or so I had started working on fretted instruments, my first love. Restoring Martins and making electric guitars were natural ways to go and I was off on a tear, doing it professionally by the time I was seventeen. Opening my store came about five years later, doing all the repairs myself, and on to running the business for the next forty-eight years, finally deciding to close the retail end and keeping our long-since internationally-acclaimed repair department open. 

 
While we have closed the retail side of the store, our "Best in New York" guitar restoration and repair department remains open, by appointment, serving New Yorkers and musicians from all over the world in the same location that the store had been in for the last thirty-five years. You're welcome to email info@umanovguitars.com to arrange for a day and time (Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm) to bring your treasured instrument in for anything from bringing the Martin that's been in your family for over a hundred years back to life, to straight-ahead Strat or Les Paul setups, and everything in between. We'll take care of you in the same way that we always have, with uncompromising professional attention, since the 1960s.

"A wonderful experience from start to finish."  Jim - California

"The whole experience of coming to the shop was great."     John - Wake Forrest, N.C.

"The Martin OM30DB-PD arrived today. Beautiful guitar and it is an honor to buy such a great instrument from someone who is such a part of music history and lore."   Wesley - Florida
 

"Guitar arrived in great shape on Thursday. Outstanding packing job."   Tom - California
 

"Fender Jazz Bass is alive and safe in CA. Thank you again. It is pristine, gorgeous and its voice is crisp and clear! Set up is perfect!"   Stephen - California

"You guys were really great and I can't wait to stop at your place again."    Rodrigo - Brazil

"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, I truly am grateful for the excellent customer service."     Brian - Washington

"Just a quick note to say how much I appreciated how you packed the guitar I received. The meticulous attention to detail you gave did not go unnoticed. If I ever find myself looking for another guitar, it will be at Matt Umanov Guitars. Your gold-standard customer service was nothing short of outstanding. THANK YOU!"    Mike - Norfolk, VA

 "We went to your shop today and were treated with great care...thanks for keeping such a great establishment with fantastic staff."    Dan - New York, NY

"Thank you very much for your help in your store when I purchased my Martin Guitar. Hope to visit your store again soon!"    Tommy - Orebro, Sweden

"This is how every music instrument store should be."    Felipe - Chile

"My long-distance purchase could not have been better. I've bought multiple guitars from numerous online dealers... Umanov has come out at the very top in this group. Matt is friendly and a straight shooter.  He knows guitars and he knows the guitars at his shop.  He takes the time it takes to make you comfortable, sharing his observations and comments along the way.  No pressure, no gamesmanship.  Highly recommended."    Joyce - Durham, NC