Every instrument has a story, and so does every luthier.

I’m Aaron Cash Olney, though most people just call me Cash. I’ve been repairing and setting up fretted instruments for more than 30 years, starting as a curious teenager who wanted to understand why some guitars felt great and others didn’t. What began as a hobby slowly grew into a lifelong craft built on patience, problem‑solving, and a genuine love for helping musicians feel more connected to their instruments.

I stay current on repair and building techniques as a member of the Guild of American Luthiers and The Looth Group, where repair professionals share tools, methods, and hard‑earned knowledge.

Before opening Stumptown Stringworks, I worked in several music stores doing setups and repairs, and I’ve held a variety of hands‑on jobs that shaped how I approach this work: woodworking for a cabinet maker, soldering electronics for airplane communication systems, metal fabrication for Hewlett‑Packard, and plenty of odd jobs that taught me patience, precision, and attention to detail.

I’ve been a musician since I was fourteen, playing guitar, bass, piano, and whatever else I could get my hands on. That perspective matters to me. I know what it’s like to pick up an instrument that doesn’t feel right—and how inspiring it is when everything finally clicks. My goal is to help players get to that place where their instrument feels comfortable, responsive, and fun to play.

Stumptown Stringworks grew out of a desire to offer musicians a place where their instruments would be treated with care, patience, and respect. Every guitar that comes into my Portland workshop gets the same attention I give my own. I take pride in honest communication, thoughtful work, and treating each instrument with the respect it deserves.

I’m grateful for every musician who trusts me with their instrument, and I look forward to helping yours play its best.