Guitar Setups and Repairs

While most modern electric and acoustic guitars are manufactured using precise computerized machines, they usually leave the factory without being adjusted for optimum playability. That must be done by a human being - one who is familiar with what adjustments to make. And guitar playability can be altered by climate and even the gauge strings one chooses to use. Here's a great article on guitar setups https://integraudio.com/how-often-guitar-need-setup

Here is our list of prices for the most common setups and repairs. Please note that the prices listed are labor charges only and do not include strings or parts, unless otherwise indicated.

Six String Electric Guitar Setup $50
Check fretboard relief and adjust truss rod, if necessary.
Perform a full electronics check. Clean all pots and switches.
Check for level frets. One fret leveled free, $5 each add'l fret.
Check for loose frets. One fret secured free. $5 each add'l.
Polish the frets. Micropolishing is available for an add'l $15.
Clean, nourish, and polish the fretboard (except maple).
Restring with your strings (free)* or mine ($10).
Adjust the playing action to your preference or playing style.
Adjust saddles to the radius of the fretboard.
Set intonation to medium fingering pressure.
Set pickup height to manufacturer's specifications.
Tighten all hardware (replace missing hardware not included).
Clean and polish the entire guitar (when appropriate).
*$5/slot if nut cutting or filing is necessary for your strings.

Next-day service (when available) add $30

Six String Acoustic Guitar Setup $55
Check fretboard relief and adjust truss rod, if necessary.
Perform a full electronics check, and clean where needed.
Check for level frets. One fret leveled free, $5/add'l fret(s).
Polish the frets. Micropolishing is available for an add'l $10
Clean, nourish, and polish the fretboard.
Restring with your strings (free)* or mine ($10).
Adjust the saddle to achieve preferred action (low/med/high)..
Tighten all hardware (replace missing hardware not included).
Clean and polish the entire guitar, when appropriate.
*$5/slot if nut cutting or filing is necessary for your strings.

Next-day service (when available) add $30

OTHER SERVICES
New strings (ours only) installed:
Six string acoustic or electric $20
Four string bass or 12 string guitar $30 (coated $40)
Adjust action:
Set radius and intonation $20 (electric only)
$20 (std. bridge) $25 (Floyd Rose/locking) $30 (acoustic)

Replace pickup(s) 
Electric guitar $20 each 
Acoustic guitar $25-$50 (pickup not included)

Truss Rod Adjustments 
Truss rod adjustments provide the proper neck and fretboard relief for optimum action. The neck often needs to be adjusted when excessive humidity has caused the wood in the guitar neck to swell - a common problem here in Florida. Or when a different gauge of strings are installed. Care must be taken when making adjustments to the truss rod, and only the proper tools should be used to prevent damaging the truss rod or the truss rod nut. We have the tools and the experience to adjust your guitar’s truss rod. $15

Bridge Repair or Replacement 
The bridge, being the focal point of all the string tension, can often fail, requiring repair or replacement. We can adjust, repair, or replace your electric guitar bridge, and shave or replace your acoustic guitar saddle with a plastic (not recommended), bone, or tusq one. A better bridge or saddle for your guitar can improve the tone and sustain of the instrument. And an incorrectly cut saddle can cause fret buzz when you play.
We can also install a Bigsby tremolo bridge, in some cases without making modifications that will alter your vintage electric guitar. 

Saddle replacement:
Acoustic $20 (plastic) $30 (bone) $40 (tusq)  
We strongly suggest purchasing new strings before replacing an electric guitar bridge.

Bridge repair:
Electric $50-$100 (free estimate)
Acoustic $100 and up (free estimate) 

Bridge replacement (parts not included):
Electric $40
w/Bigsby $50
Acoustic $200 and up (free estimate)

Fret Work 
Partial fret leveling, crowning, and polishing $5 per fret (min. of 3) 
Full fret leveling, crowning, and polishing $100

Nut Cutting or Replacement
A worn or incorrectly cut nut can cause fret buzz and tuning machine kinks or difficulty keeping a guitar in tune.
Cut or file nut slot $5 per slot
Replace with Bone $30^
Replace with Tusq $40*

^Setup required, will be discounted 20%

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6-string Electric Guitar Setup
  • 6-string Electric Guitar Setup
  • 6-string Electric Guitar Setup
  • 6-string Electric Guitar Setup
In cart Not available Out of stock
Not available

Check fretboard relief and adjust truss rod, if necessary. Perform a full electronics check. Clean all pots and switches. Check for level frets. One fret leveled free, $5 each add'l fret. Check for loose frets. One fret secured free. $5 each add'l. Polish the frets. Micropolishing is available for an add'l $15. Clean, nourish, and polish the fretboard (except maple). Restring with your strings (free) or mine ($10). Adjust the playing action to your preference or playing style. Adjust saddles to the radius of the fretboard. Set intonation to medium fingering pressure. Tighten all hardware (replacing missing hardware not included). Clean and polish the entire guitar, when appropriate. $25 if nut slot cutting or filing is necessary for your strings.

Same-day setups (when available) are an additional $30

Read more…
6-string Acoustic Guitar Setup
  • 6-string Acoustic Guitar Setup
In cart Not available Out of stock
Not available

Check fretboard relief and adjust truss rod, if necessary. Perform a full electronics check, and clean where needed. Check for level frets. One fret leveled free, $5/add'l fret(s). Polish the frets. Micropolishing is available for an add'l $15 Clean, nourish, and polish the fretboard. Restring with your strings (free) or mine ($10). Adjust the saddle to achieve preferred action (low/med/high).. Tighten all hardware (replacing missing hardware not included). Clean and polish the entire guitar, when appropriate. $25 if nut slot cutting or filing is necessary for your strings.

Same-day setups (when available) are an additional $30

Read more…