A Story That Started in Ellisville

My name is Nick Sorel, and Nick's Hand-Picked Guitars is the most honest reflection of who I am and the community that raised me. I grew up right here in Ellisville, Missouri — the same part of town where my first spark for music was lit.

It started when my sister got a guitar for Christmas and our house suddenly became a mix of guitar lessons, Guitar Hero, and loud amps. But the real turning point came when I discovered the two local shops that shaped my childhood: Mozingo Music and Fazio’s Fret & Friends.

These weren’t just stores that sold instruments — they were community spaces. I took lessons there for years, joined “School of Rock” style programs, played in bands, and met other kids my age who lived and breathed music. I hung around those shops for nearly a decade before college. They gave me a place to belong and a way to find my voice.

A Curveball & a Calling

In 2014, life took a sharp turn. A motocross accident left me with a T-4 spinal cord injury and in a wheelchair. But one thing that never left was my ability to play guitar.

Music was still there. The guitar was still there. That same connection back to those Ellisville shops and the people I met there pulled me forward and gave me clarity on what I wanted my life’s work to be.

Above all else, my mission is to create a space for community and for people of all ages and abilities to find a voice through learning an instrument — whether that’s electric guitar, acoustic, bass, or other instruments that help them express who they are.

Fifteen to twenty years later, those original shops that shaped me are no longer in business. That fact hits hard. It’s a big part of why I’m building NHP the way that I am.

The Birth of NHP

In 2020, during a time when the world felt disconnected, I started Nick’s Hand-Picked Guitars as a small online project. I’ve always been obsessed with the stories behind vintage and unique instruments — the history, the craftsmanship, and the cultural lineage built into every piece of wood and wire.

American-made electric guitars in particular feel like time capsules. They track the evolution of music and culture, from the late 1940s onward. A guitar from the 1950s can still shape modern music today while also reflecting the struggles, victories, and creativity of past generations. That intersection — between the story, the sound, and the player — is endlessly inspiring to me.

Building the Community — Right Now

Right now, NHP is online-first — the guitars, the stories, the gear, the videos, and the relationships. And while a physical shop is absolutely a goal for the future, I never want to mislead anyone: we’re not in a permanent storefront yet.

That said, the mission hasn’t changed. The need for a welcoming, local music community hasn’t changed. So we’re building that feeling in the best way we can today — by making the online experience more personal and giving people a place to hang out between drops, deals, lessons, and gear talk.

Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time, returning after years away, or diving deeper into advanced playing, NHP is designed to meet you where you’re at. I want this to feel accessible, fun, and welcoming — for kids, adults, and everyone in between.

Where We’re Headed — The Three Pillar Vision

As we move toward 2026, NHP is evolving into a three-pillar brand, each one centered around people, community, and storytelling:

• 1. Hand-Picked Guitars & Gear Vintage, unique, boutique, and custom-shop pieces — each selected for its story, craftsmanship, and vibe. Every guitar we carry is chosen with intention, and every purchase is a personal experience.
• 2. A Community-Driven Showroom & Lesson Space A future local storefront is the goal — a modern take on the guitar shops that raised me. A spot where you can plug in, take lessons on guitar and other instruments, ask questions, join events, and be part of something bigger than a transaction.
• 3. A Content-Powered Storytelling Platform From YouTube demos to behind-the-scenes videos to deep dives into guitar history, NHP is becoming a media hub for guitar culture. We don’t just sell instruments — we document them, celebrate them, and share their stories with the world.

If you want the full breakdown of how these pillars come together, check out the video above where I walk through the vision in more detail.

Our Promise & Invitation

At NHP, every guitar has a story. Every player has a story. Our job is to bring those two things together — whether that means matching you with a vintage piece you’ve been dreaming about, helping you learn your first chords, or giving you a space to keep growing.

Whether you’re here to browse the collection, sell your gear, book a lesson, get a setup, or simply talk all things guitar, we’re glad you’re here. You’re part of this community and part of the story we’re writing together.