Ruggiero’s Guitar Workshop

Ron has been working on my guitars for years and has always provided top notch service. Recently he took my so so playing American Strat and turned it into a dream fixing the set up and installing new pickups that met my specifications. AWESOME JOB! I trust no one else with my guitars. He provides honest and quick service that is top notch. He even gave one guitar that I was considering buying the once over and told me that it was a no go… he would not take a cent for that. This is the place if you want real guitar service.

My 1925 Martin 0 – 21 had a warped top and the action was high as a result. I brought it to Ron and he repaired the bracing and bridge at a reasonable price. Now the top and the action are perfect. Ron is very knowledgeable and I highly recommend him.

Ron has worked on my Martin D45 and my custom Gibson Hummingbird and Dove. I have been taking guitars to him for two years. I would never trust anyone else with these guitars. When I bring him a guitar that sounds even a little off he works his magic and they sound great. Let no one else work on your babies.

Ron took his time looking over my guitar and taking measurements before deciding that the action couldn’t be lowered without creating fret buzz. He spotted one small area where he could do some work, but said he thought it would be better left alone. I wanted to give him a few bucks for his time, but he wouldn’t take anything.
So while I can’t speak to his work as my guitar didn’t ultimately need any, I can say that he dealt with me fairly. He could’ve easily claimed to have discovered many opportunities for improvements, kept my guitar for a week, and charged me for imaginary adjustments all without my being the wiser, but instead he declined to take on the job, which is a sign of an honest craftsman. Wouldn’t hesitate to bring him work in the future.

Ron’s work was fantastic. Sad to see him moving from the current location.
My guitar had been a victim of pre-​moving revelry. When I brought it in I quite frankly didn’t know what was wrong with it, just that it seemed like the tuner was broken and dangling inside the guitar. He diagnosed that the tuner plate had broken or fallen off. I got a new part on the Internet in a week and he finished the guitar a week ahead of schedule. The guitar sounds like it hasn’t in years, thanks to the tune up and restringing. The price was fair given that the guitar is back to its old self again. If I ever have any guitar related issues if probably run it by him first.
Also, it is just his apartment, so make sure to call ahead first anyway.

Ron installed Fishman Nashville resonator pickups for me. The work came in on time, perfectly done, and below the quoted cost. Customer service was excellent. Ron will be my luthier recommendation in Philly for anyone who asks.

I just got back from Ruggiero’s with my Takamine which looks and plays better than it has in years (I’ll post a picture shortly). So contrary to Samantha L.‘s review, he does work on Takamines. Re-​fretted my guitar, replaced one of the pegs that had broken, raised the action a bit, and replaced the battery in the pickup.

I was excited to try Ron out considering the good reviews. Unfortunately he did not deem me worthy of his service. I wanted to get my boyfriend’s guitar repaired and restrung for him as a surprise, but when I called Ron to ask about the service he asked me the brand of the guitar, and when he heard it was only a Takamine he said no, don’t do that and hung up on me before I could even ask why. Horrible customer service, and others deserve to know about it.

Philly guitar players: Fantastic service. My guitar was dried out and he sold me a guitar humidifier for face value, even when I tried to offer him more money for the service. Gave the guitar (Martin dreadnought acoustic) the full inspection. Great guy and a real pro. Highly recommended.

So… I read all the reviews online and decided to head over and get some work done by Ron. Turns out he works out of his apartment/​house and its by appointment only which is something that should probably be mentioned somewhere on here haha.
For whats its worth he was pretty helpful on the phone.

Ron did a super job for me. There were some intricacies with parts and Ron made it work. The guitar plays like butter and he came in ahead of schedule and right on budget. Will be back very soon!

I have been using Ron’s services for years now. For me he has worked on acoustics and electrics, solid bodies and hollow bodies, Fenders, Gibsons, Martins, you name it. His work is always impeccable, I have never had a less than stellar result. And a great guy to boot.
As one other reviewer stated, his turnaround time is longer than some, but I think that is just a testament to how many players in Philadelphia believe in the work that he does. If you want your guitar to sound and play better than you thought possible, Ron is your guy.

Ron is a real pro and does great work. He is always able to turn around a wonderful setup in about a week. Competitive pricing and personal attention are why I definitely keep coming back. Highly recommended.

I coudn’t agree more with the first reviewer. Ron’s work and careful attention to detail are unsurpassed. He’s worked now on 2 of my Gretsch guitars and done absolutely stellar work.

Moving from the Philadelphia area was certainly going to provide a challenge for me in finding someone as gifted with guitar repair as Ron Ruggiero. I had been taking my guitars to Ron for well over ten years. He is not just a repair man for he treats the process with the diligence of a brain surgeon. He understands the art behind repair and his meticulous work is without peer. When you enter his workshop, there is a wall of posters and letters from great guitar players who champion his talents.
Considering the excellence of his work, his prices were always very reasonable. He is as straightforward a person as one could find. If you live or are ever in the area and need work done on your guitar, give him a call. The only drawback may be how logged he is; it may take a couple weeks before you get your guitar back. If you can afford to wait, it is worth it.