Profiles in Loothing: Andy Bree
@theloothgroup member, Andy Bree is the embodiment of the phrase “Discipline Equals Freedom” which is emblazoned on a banner that graces the wall of his nearly 400 sq ft shop in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Andy got his start by working on his own instruments as a pro guitarist, as a result he discovered his passion for repairing and maintaining instruments. Through that, and an association with Mike Arellano, of Ibanez/Hoshino, Andy began feeling that there was a career shift underway.
In 2015 he “took the plunge”, as he puts it and attended the Eastern School of Fretted Instrument Repair. After completing the program he decided his future lay in working for himself and he opened his own shop in October of 2016 – Braxton Guitars was born!
It was a rough go in the beginning. In addition to gigging, Andy found himself working side jobs like driving a truck for a lawn services company just to make ends meet and pay the shop’s bills.
Late in 2018 he got an opportunity to fill in for a few dates as a tech for Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X) which only lasted a few dates but gave Andy a taste for loothing on the road.
Back to the grind – Andy had some dark days for a while. The way he puts it, “I can remember a day in March, 2019, I was sweeping the warehouse at my side job, on the verge of losing hope, but I literally said to myself out loud, “just keep going…keep sweeping.”
Then the call came, he was offered the job of Tour Manager & Guitar Tech for Paul Gilbert’s US Tour. Then onto Europe and Asia.
The events of 2020 kept Andy off the road, so he pursued an apprenticeship with Pete Brown of Loudo Guitars.
When Andy is not on tour with the likes of Paul Gilbert, Kurt Vile or Jenny Lewis (this coming summer), he is in his shop fret file in hand and swinging his fretting hammer. When he’s not on the road he’s booked solid with a wait list that often gets shuttered due to the demand for his impressive skills.
Andy is doing something right – I have a feeling Diligence has something to do with it more than luck.
Here’s a bit of Q&A with Andy:
Tell us about your Shop:
375 sq ft of freedom! My shop is located in the Bok Building, South Philadelphia. Bok is a former technical and trade high school that was been converted into a maker space, filled with everything from artists and woodworkers to a hair salon, tattoo shop, coffee shop, rooftop bar/restaurant, etc.
Fingers crossed, I am upgrading to a larger space, just one floor down, with my friend and colleague, Ryan Hyde, another looth here in Philly, and we’ll be upgrading to a larger space just ONE FLOOR DOWN.
What would you say your specialties are, if any?
Not sure I have any at the moment. I do a ton of fretwork, but don’t we all? Maybe not bullshitting people and making sure they don’t spend money they don’t need to…AND not skipping out on the work they need!
What are you well known for?
Being helplessly simple minded. I think my experience as a touring technician and a long-time player leaves my customers with an extra level of trust that we’ll always do the pragmatic repairs for their instruments. It also allows me to service the instruments for MANY of Philadelphia’s local professionals, caring for their touring and recording gear. Takes one to know one.
What are your favorite tools?
I have a feeling it’s going to be the Proper Workstation once I buy it…
Right now, I’d say my touring tech box is my favorite. I outfitted the thing from a long green Pelican case. I’m proud to trek it around.
What are your favorite and least favorite instruments to work on?
Favorites: acoustics, as I’ve been getting really into the restoration game.
Least favorites: Rickenbackers. Period.
What is your favorite and least favorite part of your day in the shop?
Favorite: cleaning. Least favorite: cleaning.
Please describe any work you are particularly proud of:
While there are many shop successes in the last few years, I’d have to say that caring for Kurt Vile’s guitars on the road is my greatest challenge, to date. We have VINTAGE stuff on the road (’64 Jag, ’67 Jazzmaster, ’58 J45, a Baxendale Kay acoustic, a ’65 Gretsch 6120, a ’60 Fender 12-string electric…and more). You gotta be more than a dude who can tune guitars when you have a lineup like this. They are all beasts and I enjoy the challenge of maintaining all of them on the road, and in the shop when needed. They’re my new best friends.
Why did you join The Looth Group?
How could I not? What an amazing group of people…coming together to share the love of the craft, and to help each other on the path to greatness.
What do you feel you get out of it?
Camaraderie, lessons, you name it. Everyone here gives me a reason to never quit doing this, and reminds me that there’s nothing else I’d rather do.
FACEBOOK: Braxton Guitars
Instagram: @andybree_
Great story. I am at the beginning of my journey now, one year in, and it is so important that you keep a focus and have faith. Building a customer base is so key, and that takes time. Good luck in your continued growth.