John Oliva
I consider myself a journeyman in music. If could describe my life's work, it would be "all things guitar, all things rock and roll, all things New York City."
I first fell in love with music like most, as a child listening to my mother's records. From Billy Joel to Guns N Roses, I adored music. Bands like Faith No More inspired me to take my love of listening to a hands on experience all around.
My interest in playing bass guitar and learning how to fix instruments sparked an 18 year tenure for me at the high end guitar retailer The Music Zoo. I worked repairs, management, and sales throughout my years there. Studying under NYC legend Paul Vario, I taught lessons as well. With the knowledge I gained from Paul, I went on to SUNY Purchase and obtained a BA in music (studio production).
I went on to guitar tech and stage manage for a variety of bands and artists. Bayside, Collective Soul, Magic!, Switchfoot, Morningwood, Steve Miller, The Cult, Hawthorne Heights, and Cyndi Lauper are just a few.
As a player, I've done session work for a few artists including Anthony Raneri of Bayside. In 2013 I joined I Am The Avalanche as their bass player. We toured the US, Canada, and Europe to support the album "Wolverines". Highlights included playing Groezrock festival, and playing on R!otfest. I front my own band Bombers, in which I play lead guitar and sing. We've made some great records, available on on all platforms, and graced nearly every club stage in NYC, and beyond.
In 2017 I opened Mobile Guitars officially with my lifelong friend and guitar tech Dan Puglisi. I amicably took over operations entirely in 2020, and Mobile Guitars has been servicing the community and surrounding areas with 5 star service ever since, with an average of 30 guitars a week. Mobile Guitars has grown to be the premier guitar repair shop in the area and beyond.
I'm grateful to have a job that's rewarding on so many levels. Being a small business owner is one of my greatest accomplishments. Being able to optimize the playability of my clients guitars and help get them closer to their rock and roll vision, has become not only my job, but my love and passion. When I'm not in the shop or in your home making your guitars feel great, I like to be on my bike, hang with my girls, and watch the Yankees win with a cold one in hand. I hopes to bring my life experiences in guitars, fixing them, playing them, loving them, and collecting them, to you.
Watch the Premier Guitar "Rig Rundown" with John Oliva and Collective Soul here.
I first fell in love with music like most, as a child listening to my mother's records. From Billy Joel to Guns N Roses, I adored music. Bands like Faith No More inspired me to take my love of listening to a hands on experience all around.
My interest in playing bass guitar and learning how to fix instruments sparked an 18 year tenure for me at the high end guitar retailer The Music Zoo. I worked repairs, management, and sales throughout my years there. Studying under NYC legend Paul Vario, I taught lessons as well. With the knowledge I gained from Paul, I went on to SUNY Purchase and obtained a BA in music (studio production).
I went on to guitar tech and stage manage for a variety of bands and artists. Bayside, Collective Soul, Magic!, Switchfoot, Morningwood, Steve Miller, The Cult, Hawthorne Heights, and Cyndi Lauper are just a few.
As a player, I've done session work for a few artists including Anthony Raneri of Bayside. In 2013 I joined I Am The Avalanche as their bass player. We toured the US, Canada, and Europe to support the album "Wolverines". Highlights included playing Groezrock festival, and playing on R!otfest. I front my own band Bombers, in which I play lead guitar and sing. We've made some great records, available on on all platforms, and graced nearly every club stage in NYC, and beyond.
In 2017 I opened Mobile Guitars officially with my lifelong friend and guitar tech Dan Puglisi. I amicably took over operations entirely in 2020, and Mobile Guitars has been servicing the community and surrounding areas with 5 star service ever since, with an average of 30 guitars a week. Mobile Guitars has grown to be the premier guitar repair shop in the area and beyond.
I'm grateful to have a job that's rewarding on so many levels. Being a small business owner is one of my greatest accomplishments. Being able to optimize the playability of my clients guitars and help get them closer to their rock and roll vision, has become not only my job, but my love and passion. When I'm not in the shop or in your home making your guitars feel great, I like to be on my bike, hang with my girls, and watch the Yankees win with a cold one in hand. I hopes to bring my life experiences in guitars, fixing them, playing them, loving them, and collecting them, to you.
Watch the Premier Guitar "Rig Rundown" with John Oliva and Collective Soul here.
