About Don't Fret Music
I'm Daniel Hickman, luthier and shop proprietor.
Daniel at his workbench
My fascination with guitars began at an early age on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee.
In 2005, I relocated to New Jersey to go on an international tour as guitar tech for the Asbury Park based Latin-rock band DeSol.
DeSol, during Daniel's touring years
I then apprenticed under several talented luthiers and worked at various repair shops in the NY/NJ area. As I became more confident in my craft, I began taking on repairs of my own.
Guitar repair work
Don’t Fret Guitar Repair started in 2011 at a home workshop in Kearny, NJ.
The first workshop in Kearny, New Jersey
Eventually, I returned to Monmouth County to take a position at the home of the Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo system.
Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo system
Since then I have provided guitar tech services to various local and nationally touring acts, including the East Coast Randy Rhodes Remembered Tour & Bonzo Bash.
In October 2015, Don’t Fret Music opened its doors in its new home at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, in Historic Ocean Grove, NJ.
Jersey Shore Arts Center, Historic Ocean Grove
Visit the shop
66 S. Main St.
Ocean Grove, NJ 07756