What Players are Saying

CURRENT GUITAR REVIEWS

Wayne Henderson VA

"That's a great guitar there!" (ref. Yardbyrd guitar)

Jonathan Huitt GA

"Mark did a great job repairing my Martin 1937 authentic acoustic D-28. I didn’t think a ten thousand dollar guitar could get much better… the bridge had cracked right in half, not only was the bridge repaired but it plays better and with ease. He even gave me a tour of shop and showed some of his models that he builds. The tone and playability of his guitars have inspired me to practice playing everyday and I intend to buy one of his models soon. The luthara has a classical tone and feel and seems to really punch you in the face when standing in front of it, the yardbyrd has a great balance and has just enough bass and treble for a finger style guitar but when flat picked it would be great for blue grass , the jumbo Giordano 50 has a crazy amount of bass and works great for a blues style and the best thing about this guitar is that you can feel every note vibrate the top and It just makes playing that much more fun. My favorite part about these guitars is the playability, you can’t make a guitar sound at its very best without good playability…. These are by far the easiest guitars to play and he can shape the neck and action exactly how you like it…it’s just immaculate work. Thanks Mark you're a great builder and a great friend."

Sanford Protich VA

"Mark Giordano does incredible set up on guitars. I took my new 000-18 to him, and when I got it back (very quickly, I might add), it sounded better than I thought possible. Needless to say, I was very impressed.  This was the second Guitar that he had worked on for me. Both were done great.  While at his shop , he showed me one of his finished guitars, the Yard Bird! I’ve heard people describe guitars as having many colors, round tone, and separation. When he played it for me, I almost swooned. I had never heard a guitar like that before.  It had everything that I described above. You owe it to yourself to have listen. You won’t be disappointed."

Brian Lucas VA

“We brought Grandpa’s 1946 Martin D18 to Mark hoping that he could save it. Decades of heavy use and creative repairs followed by thirty-years of being kept under the bed had left us with numerous gouges, holes, cracks, and a twisted neck. We were wondering if it was time for the scrap heap. Mark’s genius for repair and meticulous craftsmanship brought the Martin back to life in better-than-new condition. And the guitar not only looks outstanding, the sounds it produces are the best we will hear this side of heaven. Mark’s passion for these instruments really elevates his skill to another level. If you have any restoration work in mind, Mark is the right guy. No question.”

Jack M Leary NC

"I own a 1973 D-18 Martin that I bought from Claymon Sawyer's Music store many years ago. It has been well used but not abused. I believed that it was time for a neck reset. I contacted Martin Guitar to find a certified repair shop close by. The only shop close was still about 50 miles. I contacted Mark Giordano at Mint Design for an appointment. I arrived at his shop Wednesday 9/27/23 for his diagnoses and was surprised by his demeanor and vast knowledge of guitar building, as well as a being player. I left the Martin in his care made a new friend and in the long run saved a bunch of Money. Great work Honest and My New Old Friend."

Paul Harte, Surry VA

“Mark restored my family's Banjo, that was discovered in a garbage bag in a closet. It was a mess. Not only is it perfect now, Mark added my Grandfather's initials in pearl on the tuner and was playing it when I arrived to pick it up. Mark had wonderful talents and is detailed with every aspect of this restoration. I was blown away!”

Gary Bates Chesapeake VA

"I took my Martin D-35 to Mark for a neck reset. I was never really happy with the sound of that guitar. And Mark showed me why. Mark corrected what should have been done when the guitar was built. I cannot tell you the difference he made in the sound of that guitar. Even HE was amazed at the boom that came out of it. Mark is a stickler for detail. I would trust Mark to work on any guitar I have. "

Patrick Delauder VA

"I was referred to Mark by a friend; the head had snapped away from the neck of my Martin. He gave me options as well as prices for each. The finished product, to me, sounded better than it ever had, and I could not tell, until he pointed out, where and how it was fixed! I recommend this man to be straight, fair, and highly qualified to repair your guitar, or stringed instrument.

Donnie Kepley VA 

"Mark’s attention to detail and the quality of his work is most impressive. My Martin D18 was in need of some warranty work and I had him do a setup while he had the guitar. The repair was flawless (and invisible!) and the guitar plays better than ever! In addition, his custom hand built guitars are beautiful works of art. Highly recommended!"

Ernie Gillespie VA

"Mark was recommended to me when I inquired about repairs to my 1938 Martin 0018. Although it was not cost effective to bring my old Martin back to life, Mark’s expertise was impressive enough that I contracted with him to rework my 1954 Southern Jumbo Gibson and to repair my cherished Martin D18. The work is excellent and the experience Mark shared with me about his work was very informative and entertaining. He is also a very pleasant person to be around."

Tom Lahovski VA

"I have three Martin Guitars: a D-28, an X-Series and a Road Series.  All my Martins sound better and play better after Mark worked on them.  What I really appreciated though was the work he did on my Yamaha FG 360 and FG-150.  I bought them new in 1972 when I was on active duty in SEA. The FG-150 got damaged recently during travel, and he repaired it perfectly.  The FG-360 always had bad action, and after another local repairman made it worse, he repaired that and now it plays great!  Ya gotta go to this guy!"

Jason Goldberg VA

"I took my Martin D-18 to Mark for a full neck reset as the heel was separating from the body. It came back to me in tip-top condition, literally sounding better than it ever has before. I can't thank you enough. Mark's knowledge about guitars and their construction really shines through and he was communicative and conscientious throughout the process. I highly recommend his services without any hesitation.   Thank you again, the Martin sounds fantastic now."

David Pratt VA

"Mark Giordano is an amazing luthier whose guitars look beautiful and sound even better. His understanding of his craft is beyond imagination."

Ann-Kristine Thrift VA

“Mark's work is fabulous. He helped me to repair and restore a 75 year old Martin ukulele from my grandfather. It looks and sounds better than ever and will now be able to be passed on to three more generations.”

Richard Thweat VA

If you need any stringed instrument worked on repaired or set up. Go see Mark. An absolute master at his trade. Only person I would trust with my guitars. He is a wealth of knowledge and just an all around cool dude.

PAST DESIGN REVIEWS

Tage Frid, RISD Professor of Design, Furniture, Rhode Island School of Design 

“He’s an outstanding craftsman, and very particular; great designer.”

Ken Hunnibell, RISD Director of Industrial Design Department, Rhode Island School of Design

“Some people can’t even be taught to make anything; they make everything three times and it still doesn’t work. Very rarely does anyone come into this department who already really knows how to design. Mark Giordano has an innate ability.

Woody Flowers, Professor Mechanical Engineering M.I.T. 

“The students in our design classes would benefit from his inventive creative products. I would personally recommend it.”

Milo Baughman, Chairman Department of Environmental Design Professor, Brigham Young University

“I recently encountered Mark Giordano and his remarkable work. It's been a long time since I've been this impressed."

Americo Mallozi A.I.A, Professor of Design, Providence College RI

“Sensitive, artistic, very talented; the work he puts out is exquisite. The feel of the piece, the choice of materials, the coordination of color and composition. He’s an unbelievable craftsman.”

Richard B Hook, VP Design Engineering, Brown & Sharp Manufacturing

"His accomplishments are truly outstanding, noteworthy; and personally, I am envious of his abilities in the arts.

Mortimer Schwartz, Owner Fine Tool Shops Danbury CT

“You can tell him in three dozen words what you want, and he’ll do it. When he brings it to you, you’ll say, that’s it! It’s exactly what I wanted. His work is incomparable; he was born with a gift.”

Parker Lesley, Art Professor, Old Dominion University

That his efforts would be exquisitely wrought, justified in substance, and fitly composed, there is no doubt whatever. ...He won’t disappoint you, because he refuses to disappoint himself.”

AB Jackson, Professor of Art, ODU

“He is destined to be a maker of beautiful things.”

Dr. Mason Andrews, Mayor of Norfolk

“I’m a tough sell; but after seeing the way Mark has articulated his designs, I give him my total endorsement”

Irving B. Hill, Mayor of Norfolk

“Thank you for your design work. It made a big difference.”

Howard Webb President, President Nauticus Foundation

“There are a lot of phonies out there. Mark Giordano is the real thing.”

Doug Linderer, Owner, Manufacturing Chain

“The outcome far exceeded even my lofty expectations. The scope of the work was immense, and attention to detail was intense.”

Pete Decker, Founder Decker Law Firm, Chairman Nauticus Foundation

“Mark Giordano is the most talented man I ever met in my life. He has made a huge contribution to the city of Norfolk.”

Leroy T. Canoles Jr., Owner of Kaufman and Canoles Law Firm

“Mark Giordano has more talent in his little finger, than most people have in both hands.”

Diane Bengele, Client VA

“I’ve never had anyone give me that much attention and information on a first call. Mark is one of the most well read and knowledgeable people I have ever met. That’s why I hired him. I never expected to pay that much, but I'm glad that I did, after seeing what’s involved.”

Dr. David Johnson, Sr. Cardiologist King’s Daughter’s Hospital, Norfolk VA 

He’s not just a craftsman, he’s an artist; he’s meticulous, innovative; he reminds me of a Leonardo Da Vinci in the 20th century.”