Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Griffy.
Hi Jeff, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a musical family and started to play the guitar at age 10. From a young age, I was always intrigued by the details of the guitar makers and models. I would memorize as much as I could about headstock shapes, pickguard styles, and the overall build of these individual makers. In my early 20s, I started working at a local music store, primarily dealing with acoustic instruments. This exposed me to various instruments from all over the world and allowed me the chance to gain hands-on experience and tour onsite with guitar manufacturers. I remember a time when a customer came into the store who was struggling to play his guitar due to his Parkinson’s Disease. I lowered the action on both ends of the guitar so it would be easier to play, and seeing the joy on this customer’s face when he returned to his love of music deeply impacted me. That was when I found this kind of work to be life-giving. Since then, I’ve toured in numerous traveling bands, started a family, and moved away from the music scene. It’s easy to get caught up in life, pay the bills, and lose sight of pursuing a life-giving career. Fast forward to a question I was asked by a friend, “What would your dream job be?” That weighed on me because I didn’t have an answer for him. That conversation rekindled my fire and inspired me to explore this as a possible career change. That began my journey to opening my shop, The Workbench, one day.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The most difficult part of this has been finding a work/family life balance. Building a business and reputation takes time and dedication, so keeping boundaries in all areas is crucial. Another struggle is getting my name out there and building a clientele. Initially, it is a slow process, but eventually, you build relationships with your customers, and friendships form. This is also a very feast or famine type of business; some months are lighter than others. I’ve found another passion in rescuing and repairing/restoring broken instruments. It’s my way of “upcycling,” I guess, but every instrument has a story, and it’s exhilarating to bring them back to life and see them being played again.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I offer a full range of services for stringed instruments, from basic setups, refrets, neck sets, bridge and brace reglue, crack repair, and pickup installations. What sets me apart from other instrument repair services in the St. Louis area is that I focus on bluegrass/folk instruments like banjos, mandolins, upright bass, ukeleles, autoharps, dulcimers, etc. My years of experience touring with bluegrass bands have deepened my knowledge and understanding of what these instruments should sound like and how they are desired to feel for the player. For instance, some banjos have 24 hooks that hold the head tension, so slight adjustments on these or adjustments of a tale piece could make a banjo sound completely different. Additionally, during the intake with a customer, I allow time to assess as much of the instrument as possible to advise the customer on my recommendations. That is so they can be as informed as possible when making decisions regarding their beloved instrument.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
As many people would say, that season taught me to slow down and appreciate the time spent doing fulfilling things. The perks of running my shop allow me to be present with my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theworkbenchrepairs.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWorkbenchRepair
