Leroy Aiello Guitar Luthier - Authenticating Eric Clapton's Historic Gibson & Touring W/ Joe Jackson

JOE JACKSON AND MANDOLIN BROTHERS

Leroy is from Long Island, NY. He started his career by learning how to setup and maintain his own guitars in the late 80’s. Soon, he made connections in the business and had the opportunity to travel as a guitar road tech for Joe Jackson and Marshall Crenshaw. He was fortunate enough to apprentice at Mandolin Brothers with Flip Scipio in 1991. Flip taught him the skills and respect needed to care for them. In 1996, Flip left Mandolin Brothers to start his own shop at which time Leroy took his place as the Head of Repair. Leroy stayed with Mandolin Brothers until 2010.

AIELLO GUITARS AND ERIC CLAPTON’S GUITAR

Leroy left Mandolin Brothers to open Aiello Guitars in Point Pleasant, NJ. He has worked on many restorations, but the ones that stand out are a guitar arriving in a bag and another authenticating the historic Gibson used by Clapton in Cream. Here are Leroy’s own words about being a luthier… “It’s always been about taking an instrument that ‘used to be special,’ and transforming it into an instrument that ‘is special.’ Whether it’s a setup or a full restoration, I’ve always felt that each guitar or mandolin shouldn’t be just a ‘routine job.’ The end result is always in my head before I even start. The before and after is the brass ring for me. I perform restorations, both routine and extraordinary — D’Angelico’s, 19th and 20th century Martins, and many other classic and rare vintage guitars.”