We had the good fortune of connecting with Phil Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phil, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Necessity. I was an employee at a retail store. That store was doing something that is, unfortunately, very common. They consistently down-sized staff while asking the remaining crew to pick up the slack. Demands increased without an increase in pay. When they started to cut pay, it was time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Steadfast Guitar Repair is a one man repair shop in Phoenix Arizona. I specialize in guitar maintenance, repair and restoration. Services include routine jobs like set-ups (similar to a “tune-up” for your car) to major repairs like replacing worn frets, regluing a lifting bridge or re-setting a neck on a vintage acoustic. Like most repair people, I started as a tinkerer on my own guitars when I was a student player. By the mid 1990’s I was working in a music store and learning more about guitars. I started buying my own tools and reading every book on guitar repair I could find. In 2005 I was hired as the repair tech at Sam Ash in Arizona and ended up staying for 16 years. It was there I built up my client base and honed my skills. Opening my own shop was the next logical step.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Any friend of mine will be into music! Phoenix has lots to offer. I love the Musical Instrument Museum. The museum portion is always changing and worthy of multiple visits, but as a music fanatic, the highlight for me is their 300 seat concert venue. It sounds fantastic and every seat is a good view. They feature great musicians too!
You certainly need to visit The Rhythm Room on Indian School Road. Owner Bob Corritore books great blues artists as well as being an award winning musician and radio host.
Phoenix has the luxury of TWO great public radio stations. I get my classical fix from KBAQ and my NPR and jazz from KJZZ. I love that both of them play plenty of guitar!
As a record collector I try to stay off the internet and shop at the great local shops. Zia records has several locations but you’ll usually find me at the Thunderbird Road store. Stinkweeds Records on Camelback is a must as well.

Website: steadfastguitar.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steadfastguitarrepair/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilClarkGuitarRepair

Image Credits
Personal photo by Alex Bustamante All other photos by Phil Clark

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