'Guitars Galore': Lessons will be given; owners are hoping for 'community feel'

After more than a decade of showcasing their artistic talents on stage together, two friends are opening a music store in downtown Watertown.

Howard G. Brinson and Timothy J. Martuzas will hold a grand opening March 6 for Musicology, 241 State St. The store will contain about 100 to 120 guitars, both acoustic and electric; amplifiers; percussion instruments; and a variety of music supplies.

Mr. Martuzas, former owner of Martuzas Music store, said Musicology will carry a large number of American and Canadian-made products.

Rooms in the back of the store will be used for lessons and for patrons to test instruments. Guitar and piano teachers have agreed to supply lessons, and Mr. Brinson said he's still looking for percussion and woodwind teachers to add to the mix.

“We want to have a sofa back here with some reading material, someplace for parents to sit down and relax and maybe watch their kids while they're getting their lessons,” Mr. Brinson said. “We want this to be a place where anyone can come and enjoy the musical atmosphere. We're trying to create a community feel to the place.”

Included in the stock of wares for sale are more than half a dozen classic electric guitars made by trademark names such as Fender and Gibson.

“There isn't a guitar here I wouldn't sell for less than two grand,” Mr. Brinson said of the vintage collection. “There aren't any other shops around that carry a good variety of quality vintage guitars.”

The store also will carry “ethnic” percussion instruments as well as used guitars that have been tweaked and cleaned by Mr. Martuzas, a trained luthier.

Mr. Martuzas, the store's manager, graduated from Musicians Institute of California in 1988 and spent four years as a luthier's apprentice. He can repair, replace and build various stringed instruments and will offer the service at Musicology.

“There's no shortage of broken guitars in this area,” he said.

Each damaged instrument comes with a story. Some were broken in transit or by a careless pet, others intentionally smashed by a jilted lover.

“We keep this one around to remind people to always let the wife know where you are,” Mr. Martuzas said, handling the shell of what was once an acoustic guitar.

Despite the brown kraft paper splayed on the storefront's windows, a single classic guitar and amplifier displayed in the front window have given away the proprietors' intended business.

“I wasn't in here for 10 minutes the other day and people began walking in,” Mr. Martuzas said. “We had four people walk in Thursday and drop off their guitars for repair.”

Mr. Brinson, a retired architectural technician, said the two use music the way others use yoga, punching bags or chocolate — as stress relief.

“Tim would show up and be grumbling about this or that and I'd look at him and know he was going to really go to town on the guitar that night,” Mr. Brinson said.

The store is in the Marcy Building, in the former home of World Class Tae Kwon Do.