ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES

Billy Fels & Doug Montgomery

THE GUITAR GUYS AMPLIFY LIFE

Neither Billy Fels nor Doug Montgomery expected their lives to be amplified by guitars. Neither can play them; yet for 45 years, in a shop they call The Guitar Factory, they’ve been creating custom guitars of the highest quality and repairing those created elsewhere. Many of the greatest talents in the world have come to their cramped, aging building in Orlando to seek them out.

Jimmy Buffett, Sting, Nils Lofgren, Mike Rutherford, Pat Travers and Derek Trucks are just a few of the big names who have sought their expertise. Their experience, skill and attitude make them indispensable to players of all talent levels. Both approaching 70, they are the most unlikely of guitar heroes.

“We’re gray-haired old men still in the rock ‘n’ roll business,” Fels said. “But at least we’re not wearing spandex!”

Visit their shop and you’ll find that age has no relevance. Fels and Montgomery, in their bushy white beards, hold court while teens, 20- and 30-somethings watch over their shoulders as the two men do what they do best. Far more than simply build and repair guitars, they get to know each customer: how often you play, whether you play for huge crowds or just in your room, your style and genre of music, and they “tune” your instrument to your needs.

If Fels and Montgomery felt they were simply fixing guitars, they would have gotten bored long ago. They empower players by removing the obstacles blocking the way.

“Guitars you buy off the shelf can be very difficult to play; and if you don’t know any better, you think there’s something wrong with you,” Montgomery said. “We make it so you’re more likely to stick with it.”

They believe keeping your dream alive is what’s kept their dream alive.

The bond and partnership they’ve formed has been invaluable. Just don’t ask them to admit it.

We’ve found a formula that works,” Montgomery said. “I stay in the back, he stays in the front!”

The two seldom take time off.

“The only regret I have is that Doug and I didn’t take more vacations,” Fels said. “I think we’ve each had a long weekend just three or four times in 40 years.”

Still, what they’ve accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Two lifelong friends, who started a business with nothing but determination, talent and compassion, have brightened lives for others and created extraordinary lives for themselves.