Carondelet is the custom pickup operation spawned by The Fret Shack, a guitar and fretted instrument repair, and upgrade workshop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Owner Jeff Richard ("REE-shard", Cajun French) winds Carondelet pickups by hand, one at a time, using superior components and processes.

Jeff's list of Carondelet pickups users, owners and fans includes members and former members of Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Kiss, Acid Bath, Cheap Trick, Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, Black Stone Cherry, Steel Panther, Dangerous Toys, Lillian Axe, Revis, Kenny Neal, Tyron Benoit, King Diamond, 200 Stab Wounds, Goatwhore; and the backing bands for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Alanis Morissette, Selena, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Gwen Stefani, Jackson Browne, Cody Jinks, The (Dixie) Chicks, Maddie and Tae, Scotty McCreery, Teddy Pendergrass, Wilson Phillips, Marty Stuart and Billy Bob Thornton's Boxmasters. 

Jeff has trained at the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix; at the Galloup School of Guitar Building and Repair in Big Rapids, Michigan; and has over 40 years experience as both a guitar player and bench technician. 

Jeff and his workshop is also an authorized warranty and service center for ESP, LTD, Takamine, Guild and Cordoba Guitars; and he is an authorized installation and service center for Bartolini, FU-Tone and Tesi.