This Wisconsin Music Shop Has A Special Connection To Legendary Guitarist Les Paul

Les Paul once picked up the phone and called a small string shop because he needed one very specific old guitar. The shop had it. That is the kind of story that makes you lean in and ask for more.

A museum had asked Paul to rebuild a copy of his famous early electric guitar, nicknamed the log. That original prototype had borrowed parts from an old Epiphone. So the hunt was on for the right vintage piece, and this Wisconsin shop came through.

I like how the story feels both huge and humble at once. The guitar legend grew up in this state, and the call stayed close to home. It feels like a family reunion with frets. I believe that phone call says a lot about the shop’s reputation. So what kind of place earns a call like that?

The Day A Guitar Legend Needed This Shop’s Help

Spruce Tree Music in Madison holds a story most guitar shops would frame and hang by the door. Les Paul, the Wisconsin-born inventor and player, once called the shop looking for a vintage Epiphone.

Why that brand? His famous prototype, known as the log, was built using parts from an old Epiphone body. A museum asked Paul to create a replica, so he needed the right starting point.

Founder Wil Bremer happened to have exactly that guitar in stock. Talk about perfect timing. Somewhere, a museum curator probably cheered.

The log matters because it helped push the solid-body electric guitar forward. Paul built it by mounting pickups on a solid block of wood. Then he attached the halves of a hollow guitar body to the sides for looks.

That simple idea helped shape the sound of rock, pop, and nearly everything after. So a small Madison shop played a tiny part in honoring a giant piece of history. Not bad for a store best known for fixing fiddles and banjos.

Next time you hold a guitar there, remember that legend’s call. You never know which instrument has a famous future.

Fixing Instruments Is The Heartbeat Of The Whole Place

Repairs aren’t a side job here. The shop calls its repair work the core of its existence, and that tells you where its heart sits. The workbenches stay out in the open as part of the store. That means the craft isn’t hidden behind a mystery door.

You can sense the real work happening around the instruments for sale.

The team handles structural and playability problems of all sizes. Routine setups are common, but so are bigger jobs like neck resets and crack repairs. A guitar with a split top doesn’t have to become wall decor.

Smaller fixes count too. Technicians adjust truss rods and saddles, dress frets, and install pickups. They often use Fishman products for acoustic pickup work.

Here’s a helpful tip if your guitar feels hard to play. High strings, buzzing frets, or a sore fretting hand can point to a setup issue. A good setup can make an old instrument feel friendly again.

So before you blame your fingers, consider a checkup for your guitar. A skilled bench can turn a frustrating instrument into one you actually want to pick up every day.

A Shop Story That Started Long Before Madison

Long road, steady hands. Wil Bremer opened Spruce Tree Music in Madison in 1980, but his journey began years earlier. His first full-time shop was The Spicertown Folklore Center in Akron, Ohio. That store opened in 1972.

Later, he ran a shop in Bloomington, Indiana, before heading to Wisconsin.

Picture a career built one string, one fret, and one repair at a time. Those years of practice in different towns helped shape the Madison shop. Experience like that doesn’t come from a quick weekend class.

Bremer’s work also became part of Madison’s music scene for decades. Players brought in family heirlooms, beat-up student guitars, and treasured vintage pieces. Each one needed patience and know-how.

That long history also explains how the shop had a vintage Epiphone ready when Les Paul called. Shops with deep roots tend to collect interesting instruments. They also collect interesting stories.

If you love local business history, this one checks every box. It shows how one person’s passion can travel across states and finally settle into a home. Madison simply turned out to be the right stage for the next act.

The Building Comes With Its Own Old-School Charm

A tin ceiling from 1926 still hangs over the instruments. That alone gives this shop serious bragging rights. Spruce Tree Music has been at 851 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703, since 1984. The shop has stayed on the same block for over four decades. Talk about loyal.

Even more surprising, it’s only the second business to use the space. An upholstery shop was there from 1926 to 1984. So the building went from sofas to strings, which feels like a cozy upgrade.

The shop sits in an old neighborhood commercial district on the near east side. That setting fits a store built on handcraft and long relationships. It feels like part of the street, not a chain dropped onto it.

Plan your stop for the right time. Spruce Tree Music is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday hours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it’s closed on Sundays. Look up when you visit. That ceiling has watched nearly a century of Madison life.

Now it watches banjos, mandolins, and guitars find new homes.

New Owner, Same Skilled Hands At The Bench

Passing the torch at a beloved shop can be nerve-racking. Luckily, this handoff was done with real care. Wil Bremer began looking for a buyer in early 2024. Nicholas Kehoe, a longtime customer and accomplished guitar builder, took ownership on June 3, 2024.

Kehoe didn’t just grab the keys and hope for the best. He spent an informal, months-long residency at the shop first. That gave him time to learn how daily operations really worked.

The best part? The repair crew stayed. Jen Paulson joined in 2010, and Doug Craemer-Meihsner has spent about 30 years at the back bench. That kind of continuity is rare and valuable. Customers keep the same trusted hands on their instruments.

The shop keeps its personality, too. A smart lesson hides in this story for any small business fan. Great shops survive when knowledge gets shared, not lost. Spending time learning before leading made a big difference here.

So the name on the paperwork changed, but the heart of the workshop didn’t. For a place built on trust, that’s music to every player’s ears.

Harps, Dulcimers, And Banjos Share The Spotlight

Guitars might steal the headlines, but the supporting cast here is impressive. Spruce Tree Music carries a wide range of stringed instruments.

You’ll find mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, and instruments from the violin family. The shop also stocks harps, dulcimers, lap steels, resonator guitars, and Hawaiian guitars. That’s a lot of strings under one roof.

This variety makes the shop great for curious players. Maybe you’ve always wondered how a dulcimer sounds. Maybe a banjo has been calling your name since childhood.

Trying different instruments in person is a smart move. Each one feels different in your hands and sounds different in a room. Reading online can only teach you so much.

Beginners can benefit too. A ukulele or mandolin can be a friendly first step into music. Their smaller size makes them easy to hold and fun to practice. Experienced players might find a new sound for their band or recordings. A lap steel or resonator can add a whole new flavor.

Sometimes one fresh instrument sparks a burst of new songs, and this shop offers plenty of sparks.

Famous Brands And Vintage Treasures Fill The Walls

Martin, Gibson, and Epiphone names show up in the used and vintage collection. For guitar fans, those labels carry a lot of history. New instruments come from respected brands too. The lineup includes Bourgeois, Iris, Larrivee, National Resophonic, Guild, AMI, Eastman, and Walden.

Classical guitar fans can look at models from Ortega and Walden. Every instrument gets a thorough setup before it reaches the floor. That’s a big deal for shoppers. A properly set up guitar plays better right away, so you’re not fighting the strings.

Vintage instruments offer something special. Older guitars can carry years of playing history in their wood and wear. Each one has its own character and story.

New guitars bring modern building methods and consistent quality. Both paths can lead to a great instrument. The right choice depends on your style, budget, and taste.

Here’s a smart shopping tip. Play several guitars, then come back and try your favorites again. Choose the one that makes you want to keep playing, not just the one with the fanciest name on the headstock.

Little Extras That Make A Big Difference

Strings snap. Picks vanish into couch cushions like tiny magicians. Luckily, the shop keeps the everyday gear players always need. Spruce Tree Music stocks strings, capos, picks, stands, and instruction books. Those basics keep practice time moving.

Nobody wants a jam session ruined by one missing pick.

Some extras are more unusual. The shop carries straps from Souldier, known for colorful designs. It also stocks handblown leaded glass Diamond Bottlenecks from England for slide players.

Glass slides create a smooth, singing sound on the strings. Players often love them for blues and roots music. Handblown pieces add a nice touch of craftsmanship too.

Acoustic players can also look at amplifiers and pickup systems. These are designed to boost acoustic instruments without losing their natural voice. That’s handy for open mics, small gigs, or busking in Wisconsin summer weather.

A quick tip for new players: keep a spare set of strings in your case. Add a few extra picks and a tuner, too. You’ll thank yourself the next time something goes missing right before you start to play.

You Can Take A Piece Of Madison Home With You

Not every souvenir has to make noise. Spruce Tree Music also sells merch with a strong local flavor. T-shirts designed by Madison artist and musician Spencer Walts are on hand. Wearing one is a fun way to support local art. It’s also a great conversation starter at your next jam.

The shop also offers hand-printed posters from Hatch Show Print. That famous print shop is known for bold, classic music posters. One of those on your wall adds instant style to any practice room.

This mix of art and music fits the neighborhood feel. The shop embraces its Madison identity while serving players from all over. It feels rooted, friendly, and proud of where it stands.

Even non-musicians can find something to enjoy here. A poster or shirt makes a thoughtful gift for the music lover in your life. It’s easier to wrap than a harp, too.

So stop by for a repair, a new instrument, or just a browse. Then leave with a reminder of the little Wisconsin shop where Les Paul once found exactly what he needed.