S-Style
Custom guitars & guitar repair · Newburgh, Indiana Built here. Fixed here.
Joe Papin has built one-of-a-kind guitars in Newburgh, Indiana since 1985, and he repairs most stringed instruments: setups, fretwork, electronics, cracks and restoration.
Builds and repairs
New guitars.
And the ones you own.
Joe builds one-of-a-kind guitars to order, from S-styles and T-styles to archtops and burl tops. He also repairs the instruments players already own, from a setup to a cracked top. Both are Joe’s work, in Newburgh.
At the bench · Before and after
Guitar repair · Newburgh & Evansville
Repairs
& setups.
Setups, fretwork, electronics and crack repair for players in Newburgh and the Evansville area. Joe works on most stringed instruments, by appointment. No amps.
- Setups on electric, acoustic & bass
- Fretwork & full refrets
- Nut & saddle work
- Electronics & pickup swaps
- Cracks, breaks & vintage restoration
- Refinishing
Custom builds
One of a kind.
From $4,000.
Builds start at $4,000, and most land between $4,000 and $6,000. Each step of the way, the client comes along with pictures and updates.
- Made for you and only youBuilt hand in hand with the client.
- Pictures and updatesEach step of the way, the build comes to you.
- About a 12-month waiting listBuilds by commission.
- $1,000 to $1,200 depositCovers parts and materials.
- Free US shippingInternational is available, buyer covers the shipping.
The waiting list
Worth the wait.
Right now a new Papin build runs about a 12-month wait. When yours is finished, you know it is the only one on earth like it.
Meet Joe Papin
Building
since 1985.
Joe Papin has been building guitars in Newburgh, Indiana since 1985. Every Papin is a commission, and every client follows the build with pictures and updates.
Joe says professional players and studio musicians use his instruments for their durability and constant performance.
From the benchReal builds.
Real builds.
Real wood.
Guitars from Joe's bench in Newburgh, finished and in progress. Filter by what you play.
Semi-Hollow
Archtop
Burl Top
Bass
T-Style
S-Style
T-Style
QuestionsBuilds, repairs
Builds, repairs
& the shop.
How much does a custom Papin guitar cost?+
Custom builds start at $4,000, and most land between $4,000 and $6,000. The deposit, the waiting list and shipping are on the custom builds page.
How long is the wait for a custom build?+
About 12 months right now. Every guitar is one of a kind and built hand in hand with the client, so there is a waiting list.
What guitar repairs does Joe do?+
Setups, fretwork, refrets, nut and saddle work, electronics, pickup swaps, cracks and breaks, vintage restoration, refinishing, and acoustic and bass work. The full list is on the guitar repair page.
Do you work on amps?+
No. Joe does not work on amps, but he does work on most stringed instruments.
Where is Papin Guitars?+
In Newburgh, Indiana, in the Evansville area. The shop is by appointment, so call (812) 618-5706 before you drive out. Custom builds ship free anywhere in the US.
Wear the shop
Papin merch.
Tees, hoodies, long sleeves, hats, beanies and stickers.
Start a build,
or book the bench.
Builds by commission, with about a 12-month waiting list. Repairs by appointment in Newburgh, Indiana.
Newburgh, Indiana · (812) 618-5706 · joepapin@rocketmail.com