By Ernest Heatley
In Kalekana, a small settlement on the outskirts of Lami, lives a man whose passion for guitars and their intricate components has made him a household name among musicians in Suva.
Stuart Michael, a 53-year-old father of two, has dedicated his life to the meticulous craft of repairing guitars, amplifiers, and related accessories. His reputation has grown solely through word of mouth, a testament to his exceptional skill and unwavering dedication to the art of guitar restoration.
Michael’s love for guitars began in his youth when he would watch local musicians, especially guitarists, gather at his home to jam. “Growing up, I looked up to musicians in the neighborhood, especially guitarists, and we had a few come around and jam at home occasionally,” he recalls.
Inspired by the rock legends of his time—Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin—Michael immersed himself in the world of guitars. He read extensively about them, absorbing every technical detail he could find.
Although he was raised in Suva, Michael spent several years in Australia before returning to Fiji in the 1990s. He settled in Kalekana and dabbled in a few different jobs including a stint as a cook on a fishing boat. He immersed himself in various musical projects, including playing with Fiji’s first ever reggae band Exodus and a heavy metal band called Spawn. While he enjoyed performing, his true calling lay not just in playing guitars but in repairing and enhancing them.
Michael took an online electronics course to supplement his knowledge, but most of his expertise came from hands-on experience. “The work that I do would not be possible without having the passion for the job. I actually love working with guitars, repairing them, and admiring the tone when it’s completed,” he says. His company, Guitar Worx, is perhaps the only one in Fiji that deals primarily in guitar repair work.
To Michael, every guitar is unique. “I treat every guitar that I work on like a different individual; they all have their own personalities. The amount of work we put into them determines how much we can get out of them.”
One of his most cherished restoration projects involved a 1966 Fender Stratocaster. “I put the Fender Stratocaster decal on it a few years ago. So, I will be ordering a few new decals when I have the time and restore the headstock with White Primer, then Fiesta Red on top, and then the decal—the way it originally was.”
Michael’s journey to mastering amplifier repairs is equally fascinating. His interest in amp repair was sparked during his time with Exodus, playing in clubs that used these sound systems. He pursued an electronics course through ICS in Pennsylvania, USA, but a financial mishap with the National Bank of Fiji prevented him from obtaining his certificate, despite passing with high marks. “I completed Basic Electronics and passed with flying colors, but I received no certificate, just an acknowledgment that I had passed,” he says.
Determined to improve his skills, Michael moved to a girlfriend’s house, which had electricity, to practice working on tube amplifiers. “Most of the course didn’t cover tube amps, so I had to order books from the USA to learn more about them,” he explains.
Today, Michael’s clientele includes some of the most well-known names in the Fijian music scene—Dragon Music, Inoke ‘Knox’ Kalounisiga, Nesbitt Hazelman, Bill Beddoes, BigWilz Waqanibaravi, Mike Raymond, Jim Ratusila, Kuki, Seru Serevi, Nemani Vanua, Maxi Columbus, and many more. Despite not owning a vehicle, he lugs heavy instruments to and from his home for repair work, embodying his commitment to his craft.
Amazingly, even people from Australia, New Zealand, the US, Asia, Europe and even South America have brought in guitars to him for repair. Having such intricate knowledge allows him to repair almost any imaginable stringed instruments including violins and cellos.
Operating out of a home without electricity, Michael relies on a fuel-powered generator to carry out his repairs. “It’s all hard work, but it’s essentially a labor of love,” he says. His work ethic and passion make him a cornerstone of the local music community, ensuring that musicians always have someone they can trust with their prized instruments.
Keith Watkins, a Lami-based guitar connoisseur and a close friend of Michael, praises his unparalleled knowledge of guitars. “Frankly speaking, I don’t think there is anyone who comes close to Start in what he does. If he were based in America, he would go to the top. His knowledge of guitars and amplifiers is unreal,” Watkins remarks.
He fondly recalls one of their many guitar-hunting adventures, a trip to Sigatoka where they acquired a Fender Jaguar that had been stored in an onion sack. “Looking for and repairing old but classic guitars is like a treasure hunt, and in that sense, we bonded over a shared passion for guitars,” he adds.
Suva-based rock musician Mapu Bilyato echoes these sentiments, emphasising Michael’s unparalleled expertise. “He’s the best in the business. I’ve had him work on several of my prized instruments, and they came back better than they had ever been. It’s hard to find someone with as much passion and dedication to guitar repair as Stuart.”
Michael’s journey is one of passion, resilience, and an unyielding love for music. Through his craftsmanship, he not only breathes new life into broken instruments but also keeps the spirit of rock and roll alive in Fiji. Guitar Worx stands as a testament to the power of dedication and the deep connection between a musician and his craft. Despite the challenges, Michael continues to do what he loves—one guitar at a time.
As he puts it, “Every guitar has a story. When I work on one, I feel like I’m bringing back its voice, its history, and its soul. That’s what keeps me going, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
