A doctor to keep all in tune

Most guitar players will tell you their instruments have a certain human element about them. They have character, personality. There’s a reason so many players name their guitars.

It’s no surprise that when a guitar is ailing, many players rush their beloved children to David Pittillo — the Guitar Doctor.

Pittillo, affectionately known as “Doc” to local musicians, said guitars are surprisingly delicate. With the way musicians often treat their instruments, it’s important to schedule check-ups, he said.

“They may be hard wood, but they’re very fragile,” Pittillo said.

Working alongside fellow guitar builder and maintenance specialist Pavel Maslowiec, Pittillo’s Fountain Valley operating room sits in the shadow of Guitar Center. The music retail giant functions less than a block away.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, Pittillo said. One of the mainstays of their business is setting up guitars from the factory to get them to their utmost playability.

What many guitarists don’t know, he said, is that their guitar was probably manufactured in another part of the country with a different climate, which affects the sound, not to mention all the jostling and detuning that happens in shipment.

“So many musicians know so little about their instruments,” Pittillo said.

Though there are quite a few musicians who bring their guitars to the Guitar Doctor because they do know their instruments.

Local favorite Rocco Deluca is a frequent customer and Maslowiec said they have rebuilt American blues-rock guitarist Eric Sardinas’ flame-scorched guitar five times. Mike Ness of Social Distortion has also been known to seek the Doc’s consultation.

Maslowiec and Pittillo also build custom guitars to musicians’ specifications.

Maslowiec said two pieces of flamed maple for one of their customs can cost $500 alone.

“We build guitars in the most traditional way,” Maslowiec said.

It’s been an interesting road for Maslowiec, a native of Poland.

He went from being a pediatric surgeon to a self-described “guitar nurse.”

“I was thinking, ‘What can I do with my life to be happy?’”

He found the answer in guitars.

WHERE: 18171 Euclid St., Fountain Valley

CALL: (714) 437-9607

JOSH ADEN may be reached at (714) 966-4609 or at josh.aden@latimes.com.