Once again, it was worth the drive to Waterloo! Mark Stutman and his staff at Folkway exemplify what all high-end music shops should aspire to. They truly are the reference standard. The front end operation is anchored by a back end repair shop that is second to none. Right from the get-go, you just know you’re in good hands. When I noticed the bridge on my Guild F50 starting to lift, there was absolutely no hesitation as to where I was going to have the repairs done based on previous work completed on my D28. Ryan kept me informed all through the process and the finished result is flawless with nary a trace of the precision regluing work that was done. He was also instrumental (pun intended) in contacting Guild and securing some bonus warranty coverage for the required repairs. Thank-you, Folkway!

Folkway Music has evolved into a very important part of my musical career. It started when searching for a repair shop in Canada that was skilled in working with rare vintage guitars. Mark’s work is absolutely the best you can find. Over time I’ve also purchased two of the most amazing guitars I’ve ever owned from them. Everything a bricks and mortar shop should be.

If you’ve met Mark Stutman, founder of Folkway, then you already know he’s one of the most knowledgeable, talented boys in the biz. If not, go check ‘em out and see for yourself the new high water mark for sales, service and the finest repairs on the planet.

If you are a musician, Folkway Music should be a required visit on your musical bucket list. Between high-end boutique guitars and coveted vintage gems, there’s plenty to satisfy your tonal cravings. Not to mention the world-class repair shop upstairs, where Mark and crew offer unparalleled services. Folkway is both a destination and an experience.

I’ve been making the trip to Folkway from Toronto for over 10 years. Mark and his team offer expert repairs, a stunning showroom, and a rare and welcome truth-telling with respect to the merits and liabilities of the various vintage guitars on offer. Mark has talked me out of more guitars than he’s ever tried to sell me, and that is rare indeed. He has an uncanny knack for knowing what I’m going to like, and he has yet to be wrong. His attention to detail on setting up my guitars and maintaining them has been a real asset to my life as a touring guitar player.

As an avid guitar enthusiast living in a remote area of Canada with nowhere to “try before you buy,” I have made my share of mistakes buying and selling guitars online. Since discovering Folkway, those days are behind me. Building a relationship with Folkway has been a fun and immensely rewarding experience. The peace of mind that comes when buying or selling a guitar at Folkway, or having a treasured instrument lovingly repaired by Mark and his expert team, has made my guitar hobby fun again. Thank you, Folkway!

After twenty successful years in business, Folkway Music has evolved into one of the best, if not the best retail and repair shop in Canada.

Two decades in, they have repaired and restored pretty much every acoustic and electric instrument that you can name. They’re especially adept and knowledgeable when restoring and breathing new life into vintage Martin and Gibson instruments. This is the shop to go to knowing that when you pick up your repaired instrument, it will likely be better than the day it was made. Highly recommended.

I am a huge Folkway Fan. Since opening their doors, Mark and his trusted team have done ALL my major work – set-ups, re-frets, neck resets, new tuners, bone nuts/saddles, pickup installs, neck and crack repairs. They do it all with knowledge and skill – yes, better than anyone around. And, as a guitar and gear retailer, their advice, attention to detail and recommendations are always worth seeking out.

My relationship with Mark is like mine with a longtime barber: I trust both to do critical thinking for me – to be the eyes in the back of my head, seeing what I cannot; and to work around delicate and precious areas with the sharp tools I should not be handling. And both do so with an humility that understands, if they are on their game, that much of their handiwork shall remain unnoticed and, thus, rarely fully acknowledged.

My alliance with Mark began innocently enough with a guitar purchase in 2006, but quickly developed to a level of engagement that I now classify as “exclusive” – which means I do no such business with anyone else. My loyalties might be selfish in nearly all dimensions, but they are nonetheless genuine. 

All to say that I trust the man as I hope he trusts me: for matters both epic and mundane, urgent and elective. And for all-time.

My guitar is such a big part of my sound and I trust Mark Stutman of Folkway Music with all my guitar work.  He’s gotten to know me as a player so when an instrument he thinks I would love comes into his shop, he lets me know. Mark is an absolute expert in his field, truly cares about his customers and is a very important member of my team.

Mark Stutman and his extremely friendly staff can boast that they are one of the finest museum-grade vintage guitar repair shops in the world. If you want your repair done properly, so as to keep the value of the instrument intact, go to Folkway.