APPROACHABLE.
PROFESSIONAL.
PASSIONATE.
COLFAX GUITAR SHOP
DENVER'S LUTHIERS
Christian Phillips
Christian Phillips has been a professional luthier at the Colfax Guitar Shop since 2008.
Christian graduated from the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in 2006. After graduation, Christian signed on for an internship at the Colfax Guitar Shop under professional luthier Scott Baxendale and his son John Baxendale.
Christian learned beyond the normal basics of guitar repair, spending much of his time completely rebuilding guitars from the inside-out (see Guitar Conversion for details), as well as providing repair services.
When Dave Dougherty purchased the shop in 2010, Christian stayed on as a full time repairman and continued to grow under the tutelage of yet another experienced professional.
With the rare opportunity of having worked under several very experienced luthiers, Christian has become a very talented luthier in his own right.
Having dedicated himself to this career, he has done nothing but full time guitar repair and restoration since 2008.
He was promoted to the head of the repair department here at the shop in 2016 where he managed work flow for all the luthiers in the shop. In 2020 started building custom guitars under the "Phillips" brand. There are usually a few on display in the shop to check out and play.
In 2022 Christian purchased the shop from Dave Dougherty. He quickly set to motion making significant renovations to bring the shop into the modern era. If you haven’t seen the shop recently it’s worth a visit just to see the changes and check out the expanded selection of guitars for sale.
Christian continues to find ways to evolve the shop. When he isn’t repairing or building guitars he keeps busy dreaming up ideas on how to improve the overall experience of his luthiers and customers alike.
Like everyone here in the shop, Christian is friendly, approachable and competent.
Stop by and introduce yourself to Christian and be comforted that you will be getting sound advice and service from a seasoned pro.
Nils Barese
Nils Barese began his guitar studies at the Vermont Instrument School of Luthiery before moving to Colorado. He continued his education at Red Rocks Community College Luthier program and has attended several international guitar clinics to further his education.
Nils worked doing instrument repairs on not just guitars, but also spent time working on orchestral instruments as well before coming to the Colfax Guitar Shop.
Nils is a valuable asset to the shop and is always happy to assist anyone with any questions or concerns. You can be assured that you will be meet with the upmost courtesy, care and experience when dealing with him.
While much has changed in Denver over the past 20 years,
Our dedication & quality of service has remained.
Originally founded in 1998 and run by well-respected luthier Scott Baxendale, the Colfax Guitar Shop has served the community in every aspect of guitar service imaginable. In 2010, professional luthier Dave Dougherty took on the shop's legacy and has continued to provide the highest levels of service and craftsmanship. Dave expanded the shop, adding two luthiers to its staff, and retail merchandise, from strings, capos, cables, and slides
to a seasoned rotation of restored vintage guitars.
In addition to guitar repair and restoration, The Colfax Guitar Shop now builds custom, handmade guitars entirely on location in the shop's new lutherie workshop.