A local artist whose highly technical and experimental artwork has been featured locally as well as nationally, Fred Mangan puts his skill as guitar maker on display at this small shop housed in an old funeral home. Brightly plastered with concert posters Mangan collected throughout his extensive travels, the guitar center provides a unique backdrop for the outlandishly imaginative creations on display.

Ask to see the guitar molded from alligator skin, or the one crafted from old church pipe organs; though aesthetically bizarre, all of the guitars are weighted and play pitch perfect. Mangan's extensive knowledge of far-reaching materials like metal, wood, plastics, resin, electrical, molds, stone, tile and epoxy stems from a past-life as a sheet metal fabricator and a passion for mixed media art. His passion for music is more ingrained. A successful guitarist in his own right, Mangan toured extensively with various bands in the '80s, and shop patrons can catch many of his former tour mates milling around the shop. Other clients include art kids and West Town riff-raff, while the overhead soundtrack ranges from stoner rock to art-school favorites like Leonard Cohen or Modern Lovers.

He also offers custom electric guitar building, modification, professional repairs and, on the retail end, strings, picks, cords and effects pedals. Mangan plans to discount his prices for local, struggling musicians.

Centerstage Reviewer: Libby Ramer