Reviews of Rauen Guitars. (Musical Store) in Milwaukee (Wisconsin).

Rauen Guitars

53 Reviews

50 Comments

Musical store

Musical instrument repair shop

2473 N Weil St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, United States

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Description Map Opening Hours Reviews Contact Photos

Description

Information of Rauen Guitars, Musical store in Milwaukee (Wisconsin)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

Map

Open hours of Rauen Guitars

Sunday

Closed

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

10 am–5 pm

Wednesday

10 am–5 pm

Thursday

10 am–5 pm

Friday

10 am–2 pm

Saturday

Closed

Reviews of Rauen Guitars

Derek Hill

Denny is a fascinating luthier. He has now worked on three different guitars of mine, each with three different types of repairs. And each time, he has knocked it out of the park. He is a very nice and caring man as well. I love his story about meeting Leo Fender and the joy he has when telling it. Denny is very passionate about his craft. I highly recommend him for any of your guitar repair needs!

Jeff Howard

This shop is the real deal favored by rock stars and everyday players like me. They just completed a refret and neck reset on my “64” Martin 0-16NY the improvements are amazing so much more power and sweetness added to the voice. Perfect setup and undetectable work if you need work on your vintage or just special to you guitars this is the place!

James J. Cali

Rauen Guitars recently reset the neck and refretted my 1976 Martin D35. The results are spectacular! The guitar plays and sounds better than it has since I purchased it in 1976, and the new frets are a work of art. Many thanks to Denny and Jeff for resurrecting this gem of a guitar. It was worth every penny. Jjc

Dave Braun

Denny restored my Gibson L5. It was severely damaged from a fall. He was able to fix the crack while maintaining the beautiful tone that had developed from over 40 years of playing.

William Porter

I have been fortunate to take my guitars to Denny Rauen for over 25 years now. As I have changed as a guitar player and musician, Denny has helped me find the right set-up with different pick-ups, intonation, string tension, hybrid instruments and various prototypes. His incredible skills with instruments coupled with his ability to figure out what a player really needs is beyond comparison. I simply can't recommend him enough.

jesse jonesberg

This was a great venue for my kids birthday party. The space is very kid friendly and full of sets and craft materials and inspiration.

Martin Freedom

Rauen guitars have done many fine repairs on my guitars over the years. They did a complete restoration of my vintage Martin D 18. It was an incredible success. There is no better facility or luthier service in the Midwest and possibly nationwide. Their work is exceptional. I HIGHLY recommend them.

Robert Smith

I took a brand new Gibson L-00TV to Denny for a setup and new saddle with proper intonation. What I got back was astonishing playability, intonation, and action. I've been playing for well over 40 years, been fortunate to have owned and played many fine vintage and new acoustics, but what I got back from Rauen Guitars is the best acoustic I've ever played, or heard. If you like your guitar and want to put it in the pocket, seek out Denny. You won't be disappointed.

Edward Boldon

Denny Rauen's setup work on my guitars was absolutely the best I've ever had. He also was able to fix some electronic problems, and now the guitars sound and play just great. I would not take my guitars to anyone else for a set up or repair.

Gary Neuman

Denny''s impeccable craftsmanship , attention to details and perfection as a Luthier puts Rauen Guitars on top, front and center as one finest of Luthiers in the USA. I have had 4 Guitars set up (I have Parkinsons) by Denny -the playability of my Guitars is outstanding. His Customer Service is Great too! 4/24/20: It has now been a few months after I took my newest Guitar Leo Jaymz Acoustic to Denny. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful this Guitar plays. In every respect, the attention to detail by Denny and, the playability (because of the basic set up) he did is absolutely incredible. When, I pick up any of my Guitars to play, I have great JOY and, a lot of fun with great satisfaction playing the Guitars he has worked on. I recommend only Rauen Guitars. Every thin Dime you pay you will NOT regret . In my estimation Denny is the finest Luthier in the world. Denny, thanks. Oh, I bought another Taylor. -- I know exactly where I am taking it for the Basic Set Up............................Denny, your craftsmanship is just simply "The Best" Gary

Dale Reince

I brought my vintage 1960's Fender Jaguar to Rauen Guitars for some much needed love. If anyone knows anything about Jaguars, they are notorious for all kinds of issues related to their bridges and tremolo systems. I bought this guitar a number of years back from an acquaintance. At the time the previous owner had customized all of the electronics and installed newer single coil pickups. They also had installed a Tune-o-matic bridge and a "buzz stop" to help combat any buzz/noise that might have been produced by the guitar. Being more of a purist, I really wanted to have the guitar rewired to it's original specs and replace the bridge with the original style bridge. I also wanted to replace the signal coil pickups with ones that were a better match from the 60"s era. I took my guitar into a well known guitar shop on Milwaukee's East side. They rewired the guitar to it's original specs, replaced the bridge, installed the new pickups and did a proper set-up. I was very pleased with the work they had done and had no complaints. Still, after getting used to the new configuration and set-up of the guitar I noticed the guitar still buzzed way more than I liked. I also had a continuing problem with the low E string slipping off the neck when I played that string around the twelve fret or higher. After a lot of research I was convinced I needed to go with a different bridge and I was sold on the Mastery Bridge, out of Minnesota. Many famous guitarists swear by it. It seemed like that bridge was the answer to all my problems. I decide to take the guitar to Rauen before I pulled the trigger on buying the Mastery Bridge. I wanted to get Denny's advice and expertise regarding the guitar. Denny took a look at the guitar and immediately told me I would not have to buy a new bridge. He said the guitar was not set-up right and that he was confident he could get the guitar working in proper order, without a new bride or the "buzz stop" that was installed on the guitar. Denny had the guitar for a few weeks before he called me to inform me the guitar was ready to be picked up. What I got back from him seems to be a completely different guitar! It's magical to say the least. Denny did a fantastic job on the set-up and he removed the "buzz stop" as well. The guitar plays wonderfully, and there is no more low E string slippage! It never felt better to play this guitar. It's really amazing. I feel so fortunate that Denny's shop is located here in Milwaukee. He and his crew are masters at what they do. I would highly recommend you have Denny service your troubled guitars. I will only go to Rauen Guitars for my guitar service needs from here on out. It was a real pleasure working with Denny. I look forward to working with him again in the future.

M B

Wow. Denny Rauen of Rauen Guitars is a life saver. Thank you, Denny, for your knowledge, your time and most of all your work and expertise. My Martin Acoustic has never played as good as it does now, thanks to you. New frets & an absolutely superb set up. Seriously, the world is lucky to have you around. Impressive work, good sir. It's been a pleasure doing business with you.

Michael Phillips

Denny Rauen is the best luthier in Milwaukee, hands down. The quality of his workmanship outstrips all others; it's not close. But what's more, he's a human being—a decent guy who will admit human error, and then go the extra mile to correct it. A rare quality, today. Do yourself a favor and check out Rauen Guitars, the best that Milwaukee has to offer.

Mike Shepard

Rauen guitars are fantastic. The work they did on my guitar was second to none and they are a breeze to work with. Thanks again! I can't stop playing it.

Brian Goins

Best set up I've ever had on my guitar. The only way I can describe it is that it sounded and felt harmonically perfect through the entire length of the neck. Solid and strong like sitting on top of a grand piano while someone played intervals of a 5th in every octave. I got back a completely different instrument. I never heard perfect until I sent him my guitar. Denny is THE MAN; PERIOD!

Mike B

Took my Martin OMC-16 in for some much needed rehab work, frets and such. Based on the recommendations of a trusted friend, Denny and his crew far exceeded my expectations. It's not only like new, it's better than new. This guitar has never played so easy and smooth, nor sounded so good. In fact, now when playing through our Bose L-1/Yamaha LS-9 system I don't even need to EQ the guitar. I can just play it with it's natural sound and it's perfect. I had been ready to trade it in on a new Taylor but this was money much better spent. I liked the guitar well enough before, now its a love affair. Many thanks to Denny and his crew. The best in the business.

Rick Finsta

Denny and Co. are second to none. While I have used another excellent local luthier in the past (Ron Jones) I do try to use Rauen for my vintage Martin D-28. It never plays or sounds better than right after a setup. Very reasonable prices, good communication, and quick turnaround.

Michael Dickerson

This fall I set off for graduate school in music composition with my guitar in hand. It's an irreplaceable cutaway from Czechoslovakia, and I've never come across a better sound or action for my style of playing. Unfortunately, American Airlines didn't care about all that, and dropped it from a substantial height, cracking the back across the grain, peeling it away from the sides, and loosening the bracing. I was devastated. They had destroyed a piece of art around which I had built much of my own music. I took my guitar to Denny Rauen, hoping for the best, but expecting a shadow of my instrument to be returned. When it was returned, the cross-grain crack was barely even visible, and the rest was as familiar as ever. I don't know how he would have known what my guitar felt and sounded like before American Airlines destroyed it, but he restored it perfectly nonetheless! I'm very, very grateful to have my instrument back.

karley1548

Dennis Rauen installed a bridge pickup on my 5 string Fender Precision plus a complete set up for playability including dress frets. It now sounds and plays better than any bass I've ever played. His attention to detail is absolute. If you ever played a guitar that Dennis Rauen has worked you know the difference

Millenial Falcon

I brought my 1968 Brazilian Rosewood Martin D-28 into Rauen Guitars because it developed a hairline crack on the body's back. Denny said okay, but what about the saddle. I told him for the first 5 years I had the guitar (it was purchased new in 1968) that I used heavy gauge strings which pulled up the saddle, and was told at the many times I had repairs (including the Martin factory), tweaks or maintenance done on the guitar for decades, that it could not be fixed. He said he could fix it. And he would want to reattach the face to the side binding which had begun separating ( I hadn't noticed). Months later he called to say it was ready to be picked up. The saddle structure was restored, the strings were now closer to the neck, and the guitar played like it did in the 1960's. Except the sound is AWESOME. Brazilian Rosewood ages well. And Denny Rauen is a Master Luthier.

Bradley Fish

Denny has got it down. I have ethnic instruments he put pickups in 25 years ago that are still going strong. Great guitar set-ups. -- I send my Madison guitar students w/really nice instruments there for repairs/set-ups if they can make it out.

Casey Olson

Denny is the absolute best guitar repairman I've ever worked with and the only one I trust working on my guitars. I've tried some other repair shops in the area and trust me, if you care about your guitars and getting them taken care of correctly, this is the place and this is the guy.

William Schnabl

I'm a new player (at 60 yo) and I did a lot of research prior to buying a guitar and starting out. One thing you see people recommend over and over was to have whatever guitar you start to learn on professionally setup. I was told that my guitar (Martin 00028EC) was setup at guitar center when I bought it (I paid extra for this). I was having a lot of trouble playing the notes so after some frustration I went online and found out how to check if things were set right. After seeing the action was set too high I searched around and found Denny was often recommended, even by people out of the area. So I checked out his website and saw he had worked on many famous peoples instruments and actually has dvd's teaching how to work on guitars. I contacted him made arrangements to drop it off and he spent a lot of time going over what the guitar needed and what I needed from the guitar. I picked it up a week or so later and it now plays very easily sounds great and even looks nicer since I had him take care of some cosmetic issues due to it being a demo when I bought it. If you are still reading sorry this got so long but I rarely write reviews unless I'm really impressed and I wanted people in my position to know they can trust Denny to set them straight.

Craig Terlau

I recently purchased a Tacoma Thunderchief acoustic bass that was in new condition. Unfortunately in the process of shipping the instrument to me, FedEx caused extensive damage. It was de-tensioned, it it's original case, and well padded in a large box, but this still happened. The top was separated from the side. The top had two cracks and the side had a long jagged crack. Some of the internal braces had separated from the top. It was heartbreaking to see when I unpacked it! I took the bass over to Denny Rauen for repair. He looked it over carefully, gave me an estimate and told me how long the repair would take him. The repair was completed on time. When I picked the bass up, I couldn't believe the quality of the work he had done. All of the cracks are completely invisible, and the instrument is structurally perfect. The sound and the way it plays are superb! It's like the damage never happened, much more than I expected. Only a true expert luthier could have done work of this quality.

Gary' Neuman

Denny: I just wanted to pass a note on to you about the set up of my Taylors GC7,214CE,714CE and my little Takamine: I have continued to enjoy playing my Guitars after you reset my Guitars because of my Parkinson's. I can honestly say my Guitars action is like a dream come true. You and your staff are to be highly commended for an outstanding job of almost pure perfection on gauging the playability of my instruments. Never has an instrument brought such Joy. I know they could use a little tweaking at some point down the road. But, for now my guitars are much easier to play, stay in tune better and, I change my strings less often and, and the neck and through out the body maintains very good tension. I seldom have to adjust the trust rod. In a climate that is hard on guitars in the Winter months this means a whole lot. You also have great Customer Service. That makes your reputation near impeccable when it comes to luthiers as far as I am concerned, through out the US. I am not out to inflate anyones ego. My thoughts and words come as a result of playing my Guitars which provide the evidence for such comments. I truly am greatful, All the best for continued success in all of your musical endavors. Thank you,

Jeff Gylland

Denny made my 76 Mossman the guitar it deserves to be with a simple set up.. Stuart Mossman is smiling somewhere. It is like night and day. Not even the same guitar. Playability, sound, feel, intonation everything is 10 times better than it was. If you have a fine guitar and you are struggling to get along with it, take it to Denny and it will become your new best friend.Thank you guys!!!!

duncann

First off, I got the impression that Denny is a real nice guy. I can tell he puts a lot of care and thought into the work he does simply because he loves what he does. Always a recipe for good results. Had an Ibanez Jem refretted with stainless steel frets. The original frets were 6105s (Dunlop), and he made sure the replacements were exactly the same dimension-wise, made by Jescar. When I went to pick it up, I was very impressed with the result, looked and felt flawless. After about a week of use I came to the conclusion that this guitar, easy to play before the refret, is now even easier to play. Didn't expect that much less even think it possible. Flawless work. I know where to go next time. Thanks Denny!

Lizzy

I've been taking my instruments to Denny and his luthiers for years and am always impressed by the quality of their work. After a recent setup on one of my guitars, it played like a new instrument.

CharBee Koenen

Axe just doesn't take the chops it once did? Ur neighbor's dog got loose at their backyard concert and toppled your pristine 57 Fender? This is the place to get your beloved stringed instrument the TLC is deserves.

Zak Fredrick

Was quoted about 1500 for a restoration of a 70's Telecaster and about a year for the work to be done. 5 months later I received a telecaster that I didn't even recognize. The craftsmanship is incredible. Well done good sir!