Flame Guitars; Custom Guitars, Servicing & Repairs

I have finally found my luthier in the UK. After few frustrating attempts with other "professionals", I decided to go to Flame Guitars to refret my Fender American Stratocaster Elite. I could not be more pleased with the results. David Kennett is a true luthier that knowns how to treat a customer, passionate about what he does, technical and pragmatic. He is always very calm and attentive to detail. I will definitely take my other guitars to David to look after them on repairs and servicing.

Sadly I had a really bad stainless steel fret refit by another repairer. My Strat ended up a mess. I contacted David and explained the situation and we agreed a drop off time. After long discussions , we decided the best option was to start again as David reluctantly agreed the guitar was a mess. David has done work for me before but is miles away from my home but his work is unbelievably good. Well when I collected my guitar it had been transformed. We all know that stainless steel fret replacement on a heavily lacquered maple board is more than a challenge but this was on another level. The fret finish was the best I have seen. I can’t recommend David enough, this man is truly a craftsman and always has your best interest in mind. Please check out Davids fascinating videos on YouTube. David thank you for restoring my lovely Strat.. Regards Clive.

A true professional and talent. David has seen to my guitars over the years and I hope he will continue to do so for years to come. He explains things clearly and I know that whether it's a minor repair or a custom guitar, the results will be astonishing. I saw one of his half-finished guitars today and even that blew my mind..! I Couldn't recommend a more trust-worthy luthier and local business. Thanks, David.

David at Flame guitars did an excellent setup on my Musicman Stingray Bass. It was in need of some tlc, the frets were lifting and it wasn’t playing well. After David’s work it’s like a new guitar, plays beautifully now! I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending and would certainly go back for any future guitar work / setups. It’s good to find someone who is clearly very talented and knowledgeable about working on all sorts of different types of guitars.

David has now been kind enough to set up three guitars for me - a Les Paul, Strat and a Tele - on each occasion there were differences that needed attending to and David has this ability to explain the complicated things he has done to a simpleton in plain English! A lovely guy who has fantastic skills - I wouldn’t trust my guitars with anyone else.

It's been over a year now and I never got round to reviewing the great job David did on modifying my Squier 60's bass. The neck replacement to a Fender roasted maple neck was superb and the tuning and intonation still holds up better than most of my other basses. The pick-up swap (to EMG actives) was also very well done, although I eventually went back to Fender Yosemite passives. I would recommend David to anyone looking for help with their guitar mods/ repairs. A lovely guy with an incredible attention to detail and workmanship. I thought the prices were very reasonable too. Chris

David has set up three bass guitars for me, each time an outstanding difference in playability, sorting out a few issues.
His advice is really informative and appreciated. David certainly knows he stuff and he is thoroughly professional and courteous. Highly recommend.

David has now done setups on two of my guitars for me, and the results are transformative. Playability, intonation and sound are all tweaked to their finest potential. I wouldn’t let anyone else work on my instruments: David is absolutely the best.

I can't say enough good things about David. I'd been battling my guitar for over a year trying to get it to play how I wanted. It only took David a few minutes to identify the problem, then rectify it incredibly quickly. The guitar now plays like a dream and I couldn't be happier. I'll definitely be a repeat customer and will gladly recommend him to anyone.

The service received from this extremely talented craftsman was impeccable! I originally i requested a set up and fret level/dress or fret replacement (my own assumption looking at the condition of the frets)

I delivered the guitar to David we had a very friendly chat, he immediately advised me that that depth of work was not necessary and he would be happy to proceed with a polish and set up, many other shops or service providers would not have been so honest!

Not only did i get my guitar back in an amazing playing condition it was a fraction of the price i was initially expecting to pay.

Communication throughout was faultless with a comprehensive service sheet returned with the guitar outlining all the fine details of repair/maintenance.

Highly recommended. Thank you!

A hidden gem - Highly recommended!
Thank you so much David! Extremely happy with the setup of my new Big Baby Taylor Acoustic. Fantastic job.

True expert in his craft, but also his service.

David actually cares about how his work suits the customer. He proved that by taking time to discuss relevant aspects in detail and listening to (and interpreting) my thoughts about it.

I had a refret done on my little beauty (was a a touch nervous given maple gloss neck) and I must say I received an exceptional tailored service.

Rare to find the expertise combined with the humility to listen and understand.

David at flame guitars is now my go to guy for any work I'll need in the future. Beautiful work and very knowledgeable. He really took my guitar to the next level. Thanks david!

Maybe it was meant to be, but I am so grateful that I made the decision to choose David as our professional Luthier to work with us on our SazCo project, he is honest, trustworthy, informative, patient and very professional, couldn't recommend him enough, keep up the good work my friend.

Another great set up from David, I had an over noisy Telecaster that annoyed the hell out of me, David has now solved it for me. I honestly don't think there's anything this guy doesn't know about guitars, can't recommend him enough.

So sad,my old 90s ivory tele was in need of a bit of TLC, it was playing in black and white,and needed to be HD Colour,now I know CPR, but I'm not a heart surgeon.We needed one of the best,thats when we met, Dave Kennet, owner and top surgeon,of FLAME guitars of Sutton Surrey..You may play guitar but Dave makes the Heartbeat, after changing all the wiering,toggle switch,potentiometers,fretting where needed,fine tuning the bridge saddles, etc, time for the donner heart, brand new Kent Armstrong, bridge and neck pickups.Well Dave phoned me and told me the operation was a complete success.Well without being a bit sentimental,me and me Tele where reunited.i wanted HD, But got a home bloody cinema,i couldent belive it sounded the best,and better than when it was first born.Dave is a realy lovely fella, and goes beyond the norm, as he handbuilds guitars,he treats your guitar with the same care.Now I wont say what model pickups where used,as everyones guitar are not the same.And I took advice from the expert. OK YOU ASK, THIS SOUNDS EXPENSIVE, TOP SURGEON, MUST BE TOP DOLLAR. Heres the surprise, I had a figure in my head,which I thought I may even retire my old mate. Well all I can say is Dave wants to see the smile on your face,with the service and mate trust me, I would have been happy to pay double.When you are so passionate in your work, your customer matters, not your bank balance. If you want a friendly professional and honest service,then give Dave a ring. And if I am wrong give me the Bollocking,happy strumming.

Flame guitars cannot recommend enough. For setups custom guitars or repairs. Professional knowledgeable and passionate about the instrument. A real gem if possible I take all my guitars here

Couldn’t be more happy with the work David did and would highly recommend him. The quality of the work he did was excellent and the whole experience of meeting him and having all the work explained gave you real confidence.

Absolutely delighted with the repair on my Les Paul.
I will gladly recommend Flame Guitars to anyone looking for a careful, precise and knowledgeable luthier.

Impeccable setup of a Squier Strat. Some fret levelling and general tweaking. A nice looking guitar now plays like a top-end instrument. A real craftsman. Thanks.