Cargill Custom Guitars

Jim has been servicing our guitars for ten years. We wouldnt go anywhere else. Great care and knowledge and they always come back like new.

Such an amazing craftsman and genuine person. Jim is very generous with his time and has a real passion for what he does. Set up and fixed my Gibson and now it plays like a dream. Highly recommend!

Did a beautiful restoration on the family ukulele that was over 100 years old. Turned a family heirloom into a treasure and I look forward to playing it for years to come. One of the few craftsmen in all of Australia who can perform such high quality work.

Jim is a master of his craft. Years ago he set up a strat for me and it’s still playing brilliantly with minimal adjustments since. He recently set up two other guitars for me (one of which I just couldn’t get “right” myself) and it has transformed them both. Highly recommend!

Had 2 of my favourite Gibsons down with Jim and the team. The Southern Jumbo for a tweak and the Les Paul for a refret. Both guitars vastly improved and all at a competitive price. Can't recommend them highly enough. I have been going to Merv and then Jim since 1970!

Absolutely 1st class Luthier ... one of Australia's finest. Cargill are world standard.

Jim lives and breathes guitars.. Great tech who really listens and cares. Great guitar builder.

Wow👍Just got my precious Fender Precision Hwy 1 Bass back that I picked up at Cash Converters a few years ago and I am totally stunned how impressed how much better it sounds. Of course Bassist have a few instruments around so I dedicated this one for Motown sound and generally studio. The harmonics are unbelievable, using Labella flat wounds, and with a complete set up, not only this bass is singing I am totally inspired. If your wondering if it’s worth having your guitar set up by one of the best in Australia, hell yeah, thanks James😉

I brought my beloved 76 fender strat to Jim for a refret and setup. He was very conscientious about the fact that it was a vintage guitar and did nothing that would de value it. He used period correct frets and dressed them beautifully. You can't even tell it has had a refret, except for the fact that it plays amazingly now.
Excellent job as always Jim.
I'll be back.

Jim is without doubt the best Luthier in Melbourne Victoria.
I have been taking my guitars to him for over 10 years now and have been totally satisfied with all work performed. His guitar set-up ability is excellent.
I have recently had my Gretsch fitted with TV jones pick-ups and the intonation corrected and I just can't put the instrument down, It plays and sounds incredible. Jim's recommendations for mod's on my instruments have always been spot on. I trust him to get the best out of my guitars. I highly recommend this business if you want your instruments to feel good and sound incredible. Thanks Jim.
Cheers
Steve B

James has set up several guitars for me over the years, both electric and acoustic and has always done a great job. He just did a setup on a Recording King dreadnaught acoustic for me and now it has a low action and perfect intonation so I am really happy with his work. James is virtually a one man operation so be patient and speak with him one on one and you will get excellent service. He is an authorised repairer for most of the major brands and is experienced in all aspects of guitar repair, setup and construction.

My first experience with the "Cargill" name was to have my 1955 Hofner President jazz guitar serviced and set up and I can tell you, the result was amazing. Suddenly the old 'clunker' was this fantastic, playable musical instrument again! On the strength of that alone I had Jim make me a one off, custom built guitar. There is not another in the entire World just like it and it's absolutely wonderful. The appearance and finish is superb. The playability is spot on and the sound, volume and tonal qualities are to die for! I wish I could have found Jim (& co) a long time ago. They could've saved me thousands as once you've played a Cargill Custom, you don't need to go anywhere else!! In fact, I'm seriously thinking of selling my 'commercially made' guitars and having Jim build me another! It's the only way to fly!! Thanks Jim, ... and all at Cargill Custom Guitars.

Been going there for about 30 years (that long??! Really??!) for guitar and mandolin setups, fret work, and pick-up/preamp installation jobs. Always excellent work. Also builds lovely guitars. Always recommended.

Amazing!!! So friendly!!! These guys let me use their tools and did not want to charge me at all. That tells me that they love what they do. If they give you a quote, you can trust it is the fair one. From what I saw this afternoon, this is workmanship of a high level in a humble small workshop. These guys are so lovable and very helpful. Makes me feel I want back there and hang out with them sometimes...

I wish I had of taken my guitar in for a service years ago. Really great customer service and friendly staff. Definitely recommend. I will
Be back in 9-18 months for another tune up! Cheers boys!

Jim and Brendan are no less than brilliant craftsmen when it comes to guitars. I have taken several of mine there and had them set up and tweaked or repaired, and they always come back better than new!

One thing I really warm to is that after all these years since their father, Merv Cargill, who started the business way back in 1956, still work out of the same backyard garage which is virtually a guitar museum full of old guitar parts and cases. You can almost hear the ghosts of the thousand of instruments that have passed through their capable hands.

Jim and Brendan are both such friendly, warm and down to earth guys it is an absolute pleasure every time I go there to have a chat and reflect on people and things related to the guitar.

They are also incredibly reasonably priced for such high quality craftsmen and they will treat your instrument with the same love and attention to detail as would you if you had the skill to do the job.

I cannot recommend Cargill Custom Guitars more highly and will always entrust my favourite instruments to the capable hands of Jim and Brendan, and to chat with the legend that is Merv Cargill who still has a hand in the business although pretty much retired these days.

If Cargill's is good enough for Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Ceberano and Angus Young, then it sure as hell is good enough for me!

James ( or Jim ) Cargill is IMO one of the best luthiers in the state
over the time I've been playing I've had several jobs done here and each was fairly priced and within reasonable time too

Many years ago I took in my favourite Ibanez to James and asked for some better pickups for it and James helped me with the right set and honestly I don't think I'd be where I am today without the amazing services / repairs done here

I would love a cargill custom someday though

The absolute best For set ups but my Cargill custom Acoustic with Ebony back and sides is Hands down the best Acoustic for sound and Playability. Both Mervyn and Jim are absolutely Legends..

Outstanding service. I have done business with 3 generations of this family business and don't have enough words to describe what they do. If you are serious about getting the best out of your guitar this is the only place to go to.

Ryan & Peter were extremely helpful & enthusiastic. The turnaround time in fixing our Fender Mustang was awesome