Raymond Sanville Sr.

Grantham Guitar Shop

Grantham, NH

 

After many years in the auto body business, Raymond Sanville Sr. sold his Plainfield, NH shop for health reasons and embarked on a new career.  Having a lifelong interest and talent for music, as well as being an accomplished guitar player, Raymond decided to become a professional luthier (one who builds and repairs stringed instruments).   He became a “Certified Luthier” in 1996 after studying under John Marshall at Luthiers International School in Atlanta, GA.  Returning to New Hampshire, Raymond established the Grantham Guitar Shop which he has operated for the last 12 years.  Raymond is a member of the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers (Luthier Group) and his work was on display and demonstrated at the 2008 League of New Hampshire Craftsman’s Fair at Mt. Sunapee.  Raymond has been playing country and classic rock and roll music since 1957 when he got his first guitar.  Raymond and his band play can be found at solo engagements and many different music venues.

Having worked on many brands and types of guitars, Raymond has gained a wealth of knowledge of how each instrument can perform at its optimum and get the best for the customer.  In 2003, Raymond built his first electric guitar.  In 2005, after collaborating with Terry Moore, Master Woodworker and guitar builder of Wilmot, NH, and Master Luthier, Allan Carruth of Newport, NH, Raymond built his first acoustic guitar.  The collaborating on custom guitar building continues and with their encouragement Raymond has built several more guitars.  His signature maple acoustic guitar was played and evaluated in 2007 by Emmy Award winning and recording artist Ed Gerhardt. 

A visit to the Grantham Guitar Shop will give the customer a chance to see a skilled luthier practicing his craft and an opportunity to look at a fine selection of used instruments and guitar accessories and parts.  A custom acoustic or electric guitar can be built by Raymond that will give the owner a unique instrument that will last a lifetime.

Repair work at Grantham Guitar Shop ranges from simple setups to complex high end repair work.  Some examples are:

• Repair of broken headstocks
• Complete fret work
• The construction of bridges
• Saddles and nuts
• Repair cracks and missing wood
• Installation of guitar electronics
• Repairing and applying new finishes

Refinishing and new finish work is a specialty.  30 years experience applying finishes in the auto body business provides a natural crossover into instrument finishes.

 

The New England Luthiers is an association of professionals and amateurs brought together by a common love of making stringed instruments