Doug Hake

Doug Hake was one of countless kids whose life was forever changed after watching the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. From that moment, Doug knew he wanted to play the guitar, and he quickly immersed himself in playing the instrument, finding it a powerful outlet for self-expression. His passion for music continued as he honed his skills as a songwriter and engineer, recording his own compositions whenever possible. In 1985, after relocating to Grass Valley, California, Doug was drawn to the local music store, Foggy Mountain Music, where he soon became a regular customer. His admiration for the store’s atmosphere led to him being hired first as a part-time repair tech, later transitioning to a full-time role covering both repairs and sales. Earning his Fender repairman certification became a pivotal moment in his career, allowing Doug to help countless musicians restore their beloved instruments. As Doug shared in his 2024 NAMM Oral History interview, “Handing an instrument back to a musician is an indescribable feeling—there’s nothing quite like it in the whole world.”