We recently connected with Teresa Topaz and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Teresa, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

My name is Teresa Topaz, and I’m a guitar luthier and the owner of Topaz Guitar Repair, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. A guitar luthier is a highly skilled craftsperson specializing in the repair and restoration of stringed instruments, and I’ve devoted my career to mastering this craft.

What sets my journey apart is not just what I do, but who I am while doing it. As a woman in a male-dominated field, I’ve faced my share of challenges. In the early days, I was often mistaken for the receptionist or met with surprise when I explained that I was the repair tech. Rather than let those moments discourage me, I let them fuel my determination.
Over time, my skills sharpened, my knowledge grew, and so did my resolve to become a respected and successful luthier—on my own terms.

I specialize in structural and restoration repairs—what I consider the highest form of repair artistry. I’ve worked on guitars that arrived in pieces after taking a fall, smashed or at the mercy of the dry desert we call home, due to the lack of humidity here. Carefully, I find ways to restore them back to life and make their owners smile again. These projects are puzzles I love to solve, blending technique, creativity, and precision. It’s a joy and privilege to help musicians reunite with their beloved instruments, often in better shape than ever.

I launched Topaz Guitar Repair in May 2020, right in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the odds, within a year, I had a steady stream of clients. By 2023, I was booked three months in advance. By early 2024, I had to temporarily close to new check-ins due to the overwhelming number of instruments in the shop, while still adding 100+ names to my waitlist while working through the warehouse of repairs.

As a one-woman operation, it became clear: I needed a way to scale without compromising quality. That’s when I discovered the Plek—a computer-controlled system designed for ultra-precise fret leveling and other advanced tasks. It scans instruments under real string tension, analyzes fret data, and levels with an accuracy of .001 inches. What takes hours by hand now takes minutes, with unmatched consistency.

The idea of adding a Plek to my workflow wasn’t just a business upgrade—it was a game changer. It allowed the idea to serve more clients, maintain top-tier quality, and do the work of an entire repair team, solo.

I’m proud to share that Topaz Guitar Repair is now Nevada’s only Plek-equipped repair shop, and the only female-owned luthier shop operating a Plek machine. This is more than a milestone for my business—it’s a message to other women in the trades: you belong here, too!

My hope is that my journey inspires more women to pursue their passions, break through barriers, and build something remarkable of their own.

We’re all here to lift each other up, and music is better when everyone has a voice.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a musician—always have been, always will be. When music is in your blood, there’s no plan B. As a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, I’ve been performing since I was 8 years old. Along the way, I learned firsthand how essential it is to understand instrument care and maintenance, especially when things go wrong (and they always seem to during a show).

Eventually, I got tired of relying on others to fix the problems I was facing with my gear. So one day, I decided to dig in, learn everything I could about guitar service and repair, and take control of my instruments’ health myself. That moment changed everything. What began as a personal need became a deep passion, and what started as curiosity became a full-blown obsession. Being able to service my own instruments exactly how I wanted opened a door I never closed. That spark of independence and precision turned into a full-fledged career and business model—one that now helps musicians across Nevada and beyond.

My repair journey began in 2017, when I became the guitar technician at Bananas at Large in San Rafael, California. Immersed in such an inspiring environment, I embraced every opportunity to grow, learning something new each day and constantly refining my craft.

During my time in the Bay Area, I earned certifications as a Taylor Silver Certified Technician and a Fender Authorized Technician. By 2019, I proudly became the Martin Guitar Certified Technician for Marin County, SF Bay Area—the youngest and only female in that area.

In 2020, I relocated to Las Vegas and launched Topaz Guitar Repair, quickly establishing myself as Martin Guitars’ only certified technician and warranty center for Nevada, along with Taylor Guitars. Over the next three years, my solo operation grew rapidly, and I was honored to be brought on as the state-certified technician for several leading brands, including Santa Cruz, Huss & Dalton, Lowden, Furch, Cordoba, Guild, ESP, LTD, and Takamine.

In 2021/2022, the Prestige Awards honored Topaz Guitar Repair with the “Best Repair Shop in Nevada” award, recognizing its exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to quality service. Additionally, the shop has been nominated for the “Best of 2024” in Las Vegas, and clients have recognized it for outstanding customer satisfaction.

After moving to Las Vegas and starting my business, one very unexpected realization was just how drastically the desert climate affects our beloved guitars and instruments. The repair work in Las Vegas is a different world. Dry weather breaks guitars—and Las Vegas is where they come to die. Broken headstocks, split soundboards, lifting bridges, lifting and sprouting frets, guitars arriving in multiple pieces… this became my everyday reality in the repair shop. Wooden instruments need a consistent level of humidity to stay healthy and functional. In California, living near the beach, I rarely encountered the kinds of damage I now see daily. But here in the desert, the severe lack of humidity changes everything.

Adapting to this climate meant learning an entirely new approach to repairs and developing the skills to meet the unique challenges of desert-damaged instruments. Working in these extreme conditions pushed me to level up my skills, explore advanced techniques, and challenge myself to learn something new with every repair. Over time, and with each unique project, I came to understand that no two repairs are ever the same.

Today, my expertise lies in structural and restoration work—the kind of repairs that require not just precision, but creativity, patience, and vision. It’s demanding work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to bring an instrument back from the brink and give it a second life.

One of the greatest joys in my work is sitting down to plan each restoration, step by step, figuring out how to bring an instrument back to life. There’s something truly special about watching the process unfold and seeing the transformation take shape. The moment a client walks through the door, sees their guitar restored, and lights up with a smile is what makes it all worth it in the end. It’s like watching someone reunite with a missing part of themselves—and knowing that their instrument is ready to make music again.

In my shop, I treat every guitar as if it were my own, and every client the way I would want to be treated. I strive to offer a welcoming, respectful, and educational experience, helping clients not only restore their instruments but also understand how to care for them, especially in the dry desert climate we call home.

After five years of running Topaz Guitar Repair as a solo operation, I’m incredibly grateful for the journey so far and the success it has brought. It’s been a path filled with hard work, learning, and growth, and every step has been worth it.
Now, with several exciting opportunities on the horizon, I’m actively working on taking my business to the next level. There are a few irons in the fire, and I’m looking forward to sharing what’s next as things continue to evolve.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I’ve found for growing my clientele is simple: the quality of my repairs speaks for itself.
As a perfectionist, I hold myself to the highest standards, and my motto is clear: “If it’s not perfect, it doesn’t leave the shop.” That commitment to excellence has built trust, loyalty, and a strong word-of-mouth reputation that continues to grow my business organically.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Honesty—plain and simple.

Being upfront with my clients is non-negotiable. If a service isn’t necessary, I’ll say so. I believe in treating others the way I want to be treated, and building trust is more important to me than making a quick sale.

I’ve got a running joke that I’m a “bad businessperson” because I often talk clients out of repairs—instead, I give them the knowledge and tools they need to care for their instruments properly at home.

But in reality, that honesty is the backbone of my business. My clients know I’ve always got their best interests at heart, and that kind of trust is worth everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://topazguitarrepair.com/
• Instagram: @TeresaTopaz, @TopazGuitarRepair
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TopazGuitarRepair
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/topaz-guitar-repair-las-vegas?osq=guitar+luthier&override_cta=Request+a+consultation

Image Credits

Dreamcatcher Events, Teresa Topaz