KR Stringed Instrument Repair

Specialties

I specialize in the restoration and repair of Violin, Cello, Upright bass, Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, and Banjo. I have a particular knowledge and interest in fine American made fretted instruments such as those made by: C.F. Martin & Co., Gibson, Washburn, Epiphone, Lyon and Healy, and Vega to name a few.

In addition to museum quality restoration work, I also specialize in traditional styles of lacquer and varnish techniques and attempt to always use period specific methods and materials in preserving vintage instruments. I have studied with several Violin builders and Restorers and have found that many of the techniques and approaches used in the classical instrument world are very useful and practical when applied to the fretted instrument field.

History

Established in 2004.

I hired on at the Ko’olau Guitar & Ukulele Co in 2004 as a finisher overseeing all of the lacquer work on the high end custom ukes the company had become famous for. In addition to setting unprecedented standards in Ukulele building, John Kitakis and his two sons had a booming repair business, performing warranty work on all the major brands and offering a full service restoration shop. A hub for many of Hawaiis greatest musicians, this was a great way for me to learn about Hawaii and its musical legacy, and at the same time learn how to run a repair business to the highest standards. In time I found myself more passionate about repair than finishing work, and when they decided to focus all their energies towards building the Ko’olau and Pono lines, I took over the business and have been happily serving Hawaii as KR String Repair ever since.

Meet the Business Owner

Kilin Reece R.

Business Owner

Born into a musical family I was immersed very early in a world full of stringed instruments. From day one I was as interested in how the instruments worked, as I was in how to play them. My parents eager for me to stop disassembling their guitars, organized an informal after school apprenticeship with bay area repair guru, Stephen White. A few years later I found myself in Santa Cruz, working for Richard Hoover at the Santa Cruz Guitar Company. After a few years studying Jazz in Santa Cruz I moved to Oklahoma where I toured as a professional Mandolinist until 2003, when I moved to Hawaii. Here I began working at the Ko’olau Guitar and Ukulele Co building world class custom Ukuleles and guitars, and learning the ropes running a full service warranty center for Martin, Taylor, Gibson and Fender. In 2010 I bought the repair side of the business and have been happily self employed ever since. I still perform regularly with my 1947 Martin D-​18, or the mandolin I built from scratch.

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«Flawless fit and finish, epic custom options and a full showroom of beautiful instruments!»

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«The windward sides longest running music store!»