Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Jones.
Craig, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started in Amherst Ma. In my teens in the late 60’s and was hired in a folk music oriented, mainly acoustic guitar shop doing sales and repairs. I eventually opened my own shop in Northampton in 1978. In 1981 I decided to move to Boston and have been in the same location since that time. We are the longest continually operating vintage specific guitar shop in Boston, as far as I know. We deal with all the major vintage brands of guitars and amplifiers, Gibson, Fender, Martin, Marshall, Vox etc. As well as procuring fine instruments and amplifiers for our clients, which includes, members of The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, Joe Bonamassa, Aerosmith, Hall and Oates, The J.Geils Band, Paul Simon, Keith Urban, Fleetwood Mac just to name a few, we also provide expert guitar and amp service and repairs as well as advice and recommendations what NOT to do in this regard. There is nothing more distasteful to us than unnecessary modifications or so called repairs to fine vintage instruments. My son Aaron is now head of our repair department and adheres strictly to this policy. For many, many years I operated alone but I’m very happy my son Aaron decided to come into the business with me in 2012, and it has been a fruitful association ever since. Hopefully he’ll keep the shop in business for another 30 years or so!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As an award winning performer as well as shop owner I have had to learn to delegate my time between the two activities, both being something I love, I did manage to work it out back in the day! As with any other small business, competition, taxes, bad economy etc. were sometimes a challenge but the business is still here!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Fine guitars, fine amps, fine repairs and fine customer service is what we strive for.
What were you like growing up?
I’m not sure that I have grown up yet! Music keeps you young!
Contact Info:
- Address: 295 huntington ave boston 02115
#304 - Website: baystatevintageguitars.com
- Phone: 6172676077
- Email: info@baystatevintageguitars.com
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Bill Coover
June 10, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Go Craig. That’s a good article and should kick up some business for you all.