Custom Vibrations

Hi! And thanks for stopping by!  My name is Chris Brinson.  I am a musician and also a Certified Luthier.  I earned my Luthier certification from Atlanta Guitar Works School of Building and Repair.  I did an apprenticeship with a graduate of Luthier's International and I build acoustic guitars with Steve Reeves. I own a Lutherie in Lexington, SC called Custom Vibrations. I build and repair ALL stringed instruments.

                                                   CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Excellent work on my vintage acoustics.
by Jon M August 2011
Much appreciation to Chris and associates at Custom Vibrations. Like others who have commented I have been looking for a top-notch luthier in Columbia for some time, to work on my guitars. I entrusted Chris with two 45 year old acoustics and the work met my high expectations. One in particular, an early '60s Epiphone 12-string made in Kalamazoo, was a serious project, with structural damage resulting from the neck gradually pushing into the body, causing cracks, instability and unplayability. The repairs were completed last week and I love the result: super playability, great action all the way up the neck and what had seemed like chronic, irreparable structural damage to the face completely repaired. This precious instrument has been reborn and I have had a hard time putting it down. Much appreciation, guys, and you have a long-term loyal customer who will recommend you highly.


Plays like a dream
by Andy M July 2011
Just bought a Dean Schenker Retro v and it played like a boat paddle! Chris leveled the frets and replaced the nut and set it up. It plays like a dream! Don't waste your time or money going to local music stores, get your axe set up right the first time. Thanks Chris.


Great Job
  by B Jackson - September 24,2010
Chris you did a great job on my handmade Alvarez Yari DY77 (1975). Can't wait to see your expertise in the future.

Awesome
by B Rykard  -  September 19, 2010
Recently, I had been searching for a luthier who had good results and who people had good things to say about. I have taken my instruments to other people before and never been completely pleased. I am not a professional musician, but I love playing and I have some nice guitars that I want maintained and handled appropriately.
I discovered Chris through web searches and word of mouth. I brought him one of my guitars that I paid a lot of money for and really wanted it set up to get as good of a sound and the most comfortable playability as possible. I didn't only want it set up "correctly", I wanted it set up custom for me with the appropriate balance that I usually can't dial in perfectly myself.
Well, all I can say is the experiences and interactions I have had with Chris since day one have been awesome. He not only tells you what is "right", but he asks you what you like and actually talks to you before telling you what you "should" do (something so many others just seem to forget). He talked me through options and the pros/cons of the different ways to adjust my electric.
When I got my guitar back, in very reasonable turn around time, it sang beautifully and the sustain was so sweet. Still, I wanted it dialed in just a little tighter for the comfort factor and to make fretting and picking easier and cleaner for my playing style. I brought it back to him for minor adjustments, like he said I could. He dialed it in a little closer the way we discussed and I am loving my guitar now. It makes playing so much more enjoyable and inspires me to play because my instrument feels great.

Having recently moved to the Columbia area from Charleston I have been looking for someone nearby I can trust to work on my equipment. I needed a selector switch replaced and a set up done on my Les Paul with a Bigsby tremolo.
After weeks of trying to find someone I almost gave up and decided it would just be better to take my business back to Charleston. I am very glad that I made one last phone call to Chris before giving up. Chris "answered the phone" and he was at his shop!! I told him what I needed on the phone and Chris told me to come on by. Chris did the set up, replaced the switch and was also able to adjust/correct the mounting on my Bigsby tremolo. The set up is great and Chris was sure to let me know I can bring it back if I need him to make any other adjustments. Thanks Chris, I will be back with my Martin and Taylor as soon as I save up some more dough.

Excellent customer service
By Sea Star  -  September 10, 2010 --> from leave a review www.customvibrations.net
Excellent customer service and repairs. Very knowledgeable with mad skills. 
 
Great work and dog to play with while adjustments are being made
By Kenny - Aug 12, 2010 -->  from googlemaps.com
I too have had some experiences around town and sorely missed the expertise and professionalism of Billy Chapman. When I discovered Chris, I took him a simple job; to install relic'd vintage tuners and construct a new bone nut for the same wonderful maple neck on a 58 Tele project. He did a superb job in practically no time and at a fair price. I have two fret leveling projects and another nut install coming up. I won't hesitate to take these to Chris. I know he wants my business and will do everything possible to make certain I am satisfied with his workmanship. We're fortunate to have him in Columbia and need to spread the word!   

 The best in town
Like many people in and around Columbia, I was having a hard time finding someone to work on my gear after Billy Chapman stopped taking repair and set-up work several years ago.
--I decided to go looking out-of-town for help.  Although I did have someone else do work on three of my guitars, I still just didn't feel as though the service and the craftsmanship were top-notch (Billy Chapman really had set the standard here, at least in my experience). So around that time--about a year ago--I saw Chris' ad on craigslist, and decided to send him an e-mail. Nothing big--I just needed him to correct a nut slot angle that the last guy had missed. He said "no problem--I can do that." The thing about Chris is that regardless of the level of the repair--whether it's just a set-up or a complete restoration--he listens to your requests and concerns, and takes them as seriously as you do. He explains the nature of the work, what he will be doing, gives you a reasonable time frame in which to expect your instrument back, and then with a great deal of care, skill, and patience, he gets it right! And at reasonable prices! At this point I've had him do work on nearly all of my guitars, and will continue to do so with all confidence.     

 Excellent work‎‎
‎ By G Robinson - June 5, 2010 -->   from columbiamuscians.ning.com
"Excellent work on my archtop, Chris--thanks! Business as usual for you, though, and the new shop has obviously been a great move. I'll just keep bringing you more guitars!"  

  Playing great!
By J Brennan - May 19, 2010 -->  from columbiamuscians.ning.com
"Hey Chris... The Tacoma is playing great! Thanks for getting the bridge pin slots dialed in. The sound is very even and uniform. At some point I'll do the K&K."

 Very Pleased
By D Fetner - March 18, 2010 -->  from columbiamuscians.ning.com
"Hey Chris, I just wanted you to know I am very pleased with the work done to my bass! I'm not sure if it ever played as well. Much can change in 28 years, and you were the first to set it up. Thanks!!!!!!!"

 CHRIS BRINSON is the BOMB
  -  July 13,2010 --> from http://columbia.craigslist.org/muc/1840331219.html
"I had a bunch of electronics kinda stuff I needed done to my guitar, and actually many guitar folks I talked to had no idea what I was talking about, and I think Chris didn't really KNOW...I dropped off a bunch of parts and a spaghetti plate of wires...well it works like a dream. He figured it out and did it well and my guitar is a MONSTER. No buzzing, no hum, all components work like they should...The junker guitar I had is now a bonafide pimp-mobile!"