The off-street circle of stark white, barely marked semi-industrial storefronts where Eric's Guitar Shop is located seems like a place where Walter White and Jesse might go to score a meth precursor, and the sign on the door is tiny. But that's where you start to suspect this place is the real deal. The requisite intercom buzz, followed by a voice asking your identity, and then the door clicking open confirms that yes, this is some secret-musical-brotherhood, elite-guitarist, in-the-know kind of shit. Two sitting rooms feature framed photos of musicians like Tom Morello, John Frusciante and David Lowery, their thank-yous to “Eric” hand-scrawled in Sharpie. Enter the main, high-ceilinged room, where the Eric in question — the attentive, engaging Eric Chaz — sits behind a wide counter. Interesting guitars cover the walls, and a half-dozen intensely focused guitarists stand in line, waiting reverentially, as if they've traversed sea and mountains to consult this magical six-string healer. Behind Chaz sits his small team of diligent craftsmen, working away like a well-oiled NASCAR pit crew. For serious guitar repair in L.A., this is as good as it gets. 8101 Orion Ave., Ste. 21, Van Nuys. (818) 780-7191, ericsguitarshop.com.

—Adam Gropman

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