The Podium

Specialties

We sell and repair fine, handmade acoustic guitars including Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, Huss & Dalton, Goodall, Walker, Kopp, Kennedy, Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Alhambra, Hill, Kakos, Bart Reiter, Ryan, Olson, Redline, Lowden, Larrivee.

History

Established in 1959.

We opened our doors in 1959. One of our first customers was a young Robert Zimmerman who played across the street at the 5 O’clock Scholar. Paulette (the original owner) used to give him free strings when he was broke –he wasn’t Bob Dylan yet. Later on… he used a 1930’s small-​body Martin guitar from the store for his «Blood on The Tracks» album… musicians who hung out at The Podium including then owner Chris played on that album. Those were the days that saw a young employee named Jim jamming through the night with Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead. Jim now owns the Podium. Since then, The Podium has specialized in fine quality acoustic guitars, selling instruments all over the world. Folks like Leo Kottke, Kathy Mattea, Sting, Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlile and many others have purchased our instruments. We also offer top quality repair, restoration and electronic pickup installation services.

Meet the Business Owner

Jim T.

Business Owner

Performing musician, guitar aficionado, emotionally accessible, reasonable and a good conversationalist. Well read, able to work on a variety of projects, in possession of a wide experience background in many fields. Capable of astounding insight (sometimes) and mind boggling dumb stuff (more often than it is comfortable to admit). Kind to everyone until given reason not to be, especially fond of dogs, respectful of others and their space. Hard working unless lacking motivation, fond of fun and undifferentiated activity. Bicycle riding high on list of favorite activities, obedient to my wife. Try to eat low on the food chain unless some tasty treat from high on the food chain is offered. Honest, fair, open. In The Podium most hours.