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Jordan Music Service After more than a decade of running a multi-employee shop, John has chosen to concentrate almost entirely on building instruments while working alone. John Jordan concentrates on instrument design and construction. He has done a huge amount of repair in the past and continues to do some repair work. 1979 Built the earliest Jordan guitar still in use today.
Services
John Jordan is a recognized violin maker and has designed and built a full range of stringed instruments including Violins, Viola, Cellos, Upright Bass, and Guitars & Bass Guitars. Eliminates unnecessary mass from the body and scroll places the remaining weight as close to the support of the chin and shoulder as possible.
All models feature carved wood neck thru body, ebony fingerboard and nut, ebony button Schaller tuners, ebony Kaufman chinrest and firmly attached Kun shoulder rest. Individually preferred chinrest and/or shoulder rest may be substituted at no additional charge. The Jordan Electric Violin standard four string model features maple neck thru body finished in a solid opaque color of your choice and Starfish transducer bridge. Every aspect of the instrument is customizable, from the wood and finish to the number of strings, width of the neck, and color of the hardware.
Reviews (12)
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Zizzle F.
Dec 02, 2021
I cannot speak highly enough of John and his Guitar Tech services. After a long bout of 'Strat-itis, ' (and myself both: 1. Not being crazy, and 2. Having seen nearly every Luthier in the Bay); I landed in John's shop by virtue of a recommendation from a top Bay Bass dude! Careful, you might learn something hangin around. I was discouraged with the state of disrepair of several instruments, but I hung in there and found John.

He is an indelible part of the Bay Area music community and I stand very much in appreciation for his skill as now I can get back to playing instead of worrying about sick guitars! Bottom line: Great skill, affordability, and a true legend of passionate stringed instrument crafting and repair.
R. H.
Aug 21, 2021
John was extremely helpful and thorough. He appraised an instrument for me, and thoroughly explained everything and gave me comparables on the market. He was also an amazing resource for finding local teachers. Thanks so much for the fantastic service, quick turnaround, and honest dialogue.
Tosin Ladeinde
Apr 19, 2021
Knowledge, experienced and great service. One stop shop for stringed wooden instruments.
Neil Atkinson
Mar 08, 2021
I commissioned jon to set up 2 tremolo systems with clear instructions to have the High E string move a full half step when pulling back the trem bar back in full, and by doing this all of the other strings would move as fallows. the B string moves one full step, the G string moves one and a half steps, the D string moves slightly less then a full step, the A string moves a whole step and the low E a half step.

Very common set up, he couldn't pull it off on either guitar. and I also paid him to level and dress the frets on one of the guitars mentioned, and not only didn't he do the job in full. ie the frets have sharp edges from the 9th fret and up on both the top and bottom, and the guitar frets out when bending the high E and B string at the high F position which is the reason for commissioning him in the first place. Had he told me he wasn't qualified to do this simple task, I would've taken my business elsewhere.
Patrick Grisby
Jun 27, 2019
John is the Einstein of his craftsmanship. His Ingenuity is off the chain! He's repaired my basses after hours in a emergency situation. I'm always pleased with his work. I live in Las Vegas and don't allow nobody else but John to do my work. Awesome person. Thanks John!
Armand Agopian
May 02, 2019
Always a pleasure to stop by and get whatever you need. He has tons of instruments, strings, whatever you need. He also does tons of repairs.
Johnny Sergeant
Oct 31, 2018
John Jordan is a world-class luthier. People fly in from all kinds of places to avail themselves of his combination of art and craftsmanship. Highly recommended if you are looking for a hand-built stringed instrument.
Ryan A.
Feb 02, 2018
After trying different guitar techs here and there for years, John Jordan is the only stop I'll make from now on. This man is knowledgeable, straightforward, and good guy. He's happy to explain in detail what is happening with your instrument, which for me is key because I want to understand these things and learn what I can. He is known for his violin work, but he's great with guitars, and basses I imagine as well, cause that's his instrument of choice. I cant say it enough, give him a call.
Tkmcdon
Jun 30, 2017
I have had nothing but excellent service from Jordan Music. Will definitely refer him to others.
Czar D.
Aug 31, 2016
I 'accidentally' discovered john's violins a few years ago when researching electrics on the electricviolinshop. I was intrigued by the 7 string, and much, much preferred the aesthetics of his design over the alternative that was available. I bought his 7 string koa wood model, and since that time I simply put aside my other solid body electric (a high end model) because in addition to the additional strings, this violin is more comfortable, and sounds better to my ears.

I got to talking with John via email because I had seen mention of a 9 string model, and sure enough he makes these, though they are special orders only. I received mine today, and it is simply magnificent. There is an efficiency to the design - no frills, very comfortable, and they look great. And I wondered why his violins sound better to my ears to another barbera violin that I've tried, and apparently (I didn't know this about solid body violins) - the wood can make a difference in the sound.

And indeed my 9 string sounds different than my 7 string. John makes instruments for people who are serious. I'm not a great violinist, but I'm serious about using it in my music, and his instruments are just incredible.
Katrina B.
Feb 18, 2015
This guy is awesome! His shop is modest in his garage. He is an excellent craftsman. Took my daughter subpar violin that she received as a gift for Christmas to have set up at another store in Concord. Went to a concert and was borrowed by an advance student and found out it was poorly set up. Took it to John and he fixed and adjusted it to sound and play a 100% better than what it ever was.

I learned a valuable lesson.buy quality even for your kids nothing from China. It had a Pinging sound when played and only go to John for your string instruments. He's been in the business for over 30 years. He really loves what he does and it shows in his work. Reasonably priced too.
Frankie G.
Jul 09, 2014
EXCELLENT quality and attention to detail. Everything passes John's eye and approval. I love it. I used to go to John years ago for guitar work, then I was told he was backing off guitar work and focusing on Violins. So, I stopped. I then (20 years later) was researching pick ups for my Taylor acoustic and the recommended John as an authorized dealer.

I called. and got right on it, welcoming my request. So happy he is doing guitar work. Electric guitars are one thing, but acoustic work is another. One needs to respect the build, structure, tone, and over-all finish. John has amazing detail with all.