Guitar Repair - Price Guide
Here you will find general pricing information to give you a sense the costs involved with different repair work. None of the pricing listed here includes strings, parts or necessary materials and should be used as general reference only.
Actual costs can only be determined by a scheduled intake and inspection appointment.
Click any down arrow for more detailed information.
Electric Specific
-
For well maintained guitars or clients which want to focus on the fundamental work to improve playability.
New strings are required to be provided by the client.
This set-up focuses on: Neck relief, string height and string length compensation.
Guitars equipped with vibratos will require more time to balance before adjusting string height. Locking systems like Floyd Rose designs also require more time.
There may be limitations to what a set-up can achieve if fretwork, nut work and/or saddle work is recommended but declined.
The work includes:
Old strings are removed, fingerboard and frets are cleaned, parts are tensioned and tightened. A general cleaning of the finish is done during and at the end of each set-up.
Once the guitar is re-strung, the truss rod will be adjusted, string heights established and finally, string length compensation will be dialed in.
The set-up concludes with a final cleaning of the finish.
Basic set-ups may include additional recommendations for future service considerations.
Related Work: Deluxe Set-Up, Nut Slots, Fretwork, Bridge Detailing, Electronics
-
All the basic set-up processes plus a detailed polishing of the frets and nut slot work to level up the final playability.
In additional to normal cleaning, the frets will be brought to a high polish. Nut slots which require filing, will be addressed before final lubrication.
The deluxe set-up also includes dressing fret ends for maximum comfort.
Related Work: Fretwork, Bridge Detailing, Electronics
-
Named for the guitars which have been well played but not attended to.
If your guitar is in desperate need of a spa day, this might be the set-up for you.
This includes all of the work for a basic and deluxe set-up plus a bridge detailing and additional time spent cleaning of the finish.
Often these instruments will also benefit from a complete fret dress.
-
Electric guitar bridges can have burrs which lead to premature string breakage. Over time, pressure from the strings can also pit saddles which could be addressed with a thorough bridge detailing.
As sweat, dirt and grime accumulate, threaded parts can cease to work efficiently or be rendered useless.
This service will have the bridge disassembled, clean, de-burred, filed as needed and threaded parts lubricated before reassembly.
Gibson style Tune-o-matic Saddles can sometimes be filed down to eliminate multiple string notches, have the spacing corrected and new notches cut. This may not be possible if the existing saddles are severely worn in which case a new set of saddles or new bridge would be a better use of technician time.
-
Replace output jack on non-hollow body electric guitars.
Switchraft or PureTone jacks recommended. Price does not include part.
-
Wiring in a new pickup on non-hollow body guitars with no additional components or customization.
Customer must provide the pickup.
I am happy to provide general thoughts on pickup choice but do not make specific recommendations. I also do not stock brand name pickups for resale.
-
Wiring in a new pickup on non-hollow body guitars with no additional components or customization.
Customer must provide the pickups.
I am happy to provide general thoughts on pickup choice but do not make specific recommendations. I also do not stock brand name pickups for resale.
-
Remove and replace your switch to the same functionality it had before.
This service does not include customizing or modification.
It is essentially a direct replacement.
Price does not include parts.
-
Many times in my career guitars have been brought to me after a DIY electric wiring attempt.
Typically everything in the guitar is clipped, de-soldered and then re-soldered.
This is the time to at least consider mods or upgrades so old parts do not have be re-used.
Any damaged part would be replaced.
Price does not include any part costs.
-
Reduce the noise from electro-magnetic interference by shielding the cavities, pickguard and making sure each area is connected to each other.
Price does not include cost of materials.
Fretwork
-
Wood absorbs and releases moisture with temperature and humidity fluctionations. Over time this can cause the fret ends to stick out beyond the edge of the fingerboard often referred to as “fret sprout”.
The fret ends can be carefully filed, detailed and polished to make playing more comfortable.
This can be added to any other work while strings are off.
Related Work: Nut Slots, Fret Polish, Fret Dress, Bridge Detailing, Electronics
-
Over time, frets can oxidize with exposure to sweat, grime, air or other contaminants. This process will go beyond a basic cleaning to bring the frets to a high luster.
This work is not the same as a Fret Dress which levels, reshapes and then polishes the frets.
Related Work: Nut Slots, Fret Ends, Loose Frets, Bridge Detailing, Electronics
-
For most guitars or other fretted instruments, the frets are our playing surface. Over time, frets can work loose in the slot and cause buzzing, dead notes or even intonation issues.
This work is required for any guitar which has more than three loose frets which is brought to the shop for a fret dress.
This is highly recommended for any set-up work when the guitar being serviced has more than three loose frets.
This process does not address fret wear or unlevel frets remaining after all have been glued down.
-
For guitars with minimal fret wear but require leveling out imperfections left from the factory. The basic fret dress does not include detailing fret ends.
If the guitar has more than three loose frets, all frets will be glued before leveling, reshaping the crowns to a precise landing, and basic polish to remove crowning scratches. Frets will not be high gloss or shiny.
Any guitars with moderate or severe fret wear will require a higher level of intervention.
Related Work: Set-ups, Nut Slots, Fret Ends, Bridge Detailing, Electronics
-
All of the work in a Basic Fret Dress with additional time spent refining and polishing the fret crowns to a high sheen. This service also includes gluing all loose frets and if more than three, every fret would be glued.
The ends will be meticulously dressed and polished as well.
This fret dress is required for older instruments with significant fretwear which requires far more time to level and reshape.
At a certain point, replacing frets is a much better option to the time it takes re-shaping low and worn frets.
Related Work: Re-fretting
-
When it is time to have your guitar re-fretted, it is critically important the person working on it has the professional experience to asses all of the considerations necessary to have the ultimate outcome.
Careful consultation with the client is required to be sure work all concerns are addressed and the optimal fretwire is selected for both feel and neck stiffness.
This intervention can address problems with fingerboard geometry, neck stiffness and even truss rod functionality.
Relying on the least expensive option is not a good idea when it comes to re-frets. Fixing other people’s work is more expensive than doing it right the first time.
Guitar will be evaluated and worked on in a neck jig, fingerboard geometry will be corrected and optimized followed by thorough cleaning of the slots before installation of the proper fretwire.
Related Work: Nut Replacement, Se-ups
-
Thorough evlaluation in the neck jig to asses fingerboard geometry, string tension affects and truss rod functionality.
Level the board, prepare slots and install new wire. Bevel and detail fret ends and perform deluxe fret dress.
Related Work: Nut Replacement, Set-up
-
I do not recommend re-fretting a guitar and keeping the factory nibs unless the guitar is highly valuable and vintage.
In my opinion, keeping the original nibs drastically lowers the chance of fixing irregularities in the fingerboard surface.
While it is possible, it is one of the most time consuming fret jobs of all.
Related Work: Nut Replacement, Set-ups
Acoustic Specific
-
For well maintained acoustic guitars or clients which want to focus the minimum amount of work to improve playability of their acoustic guitar.
New string are required and clients are encourage to provide their own.
The old strings are removed, tuning machines are tensioned and tightened then the fingerboard and frets are cleaned with a light oiling of the fingerboard.
The internal bracing and bridge are inspected to identify any unknown issues. Any issues upon inspection will be communicated to the client via email and additions to the work or advice can be provided.
Once restrung, the truss rod will be adjusted before final cleaning of the finish concludes the work.
Related Work: Nut slots, Fret Ends, Fret Polish, Fret Dress, Brace Re-glue, Bridge Re-glue
-
Non-compensated saddle replacement with bone material. This pricing requires the existing saddle slot is adequate depth and/or in the right location.
Material is fit precisely to the slot, shaped to proper height and radius for proper action.
Related Work: Set-ups, Fretwork, Pickup Install, Slot Re-cut
-
Saddle with compensation. The same attention to detail for saddle fit applies here but additional time is spent checking intonation and finding the most precise location for each string to ring. Once each spot is located the saddle is meticulously shaped and polished.
Two sets of strings are to be provided by client. During the compensation process string breakage is possible.
Thru-cut saddles or double wide saddles require more, hence the price range.
Pricing does not include the cost of material.
-
If an acoustic guitar has a shallow, worn or misplaced slot, it would require filling the slot with wood.
Once filled and flushed, a new saddle slot would be located and cut before a new saddle could be made.
This price does not include labor or materials for a new saddle.
-
Considerable pressure is pulling at the bridge of an acoustic guitar. The earlier a loose bridge is addressed, the better. Ignoring a loose bridge will begin to put additional pressures at the bridge pins which can lead to damage in the top and bridge plate.
Many modern factory made acoustic guitars, have the bridge glued to the finish and not the top wood. This makes production easier and (hopefully) reduces the price point. However, wood to wood contact is better for the long-term stability of the guitar.
The bridge will need to be heated and carefully removed. The gluing surfaces will need to be cleaned and prepped or gluing. If the finish needs to be removed from the bridge footprint or around the perimeter, this needs to also be done before the bridge can be properly glued.
Related Work: Set-ups, Saddle Replacement, Bridge Pis
-
If a bridge is cracked, worn, or previous modified it may be necessary to replace it.
If a direct replacement is not available (and they often aren’t) a new, handmade bridge can be fabricated, fit and glued to the top.
This is the base price for fabrication which includes locating and routing a saddle slot.
The guitar will also need a new saddle made and often benefit from a set-up.
Related Work: Saddle Replacement, Basic Set-up
-
If your acoustic guitar is exposed to low humidity it may crack. In the fall and winter months as furnaces and fireplaces are in use, dry air is even worse.
Getting a crack fixed right away is much better than leaving it exposed to air, dirt, sweat and associated grime.
Due to the variety of crack locations, causes, bracing and guitar designs, pricing these repairs is an imperfect science. The guitar must be inspected and a written estimate provided.
Nut Work
-
Many factory guitars will have slots cut higher than is ideal. Companies do this to avoid fret buzz when shipping to a new part of the world.
High nut slots make fretting in the first position more difficult and can cause notes and chords to play out of tune. Re-cutting high slots is recommended before final string length compensation adjustment are complete.
Related Work: Set-ups, Bridge Detailing
-
For guitars with buzzing open strings from worn nut slots. An economical option is to remove the nut and shim to a slightly greate height.
Related Work: Fill & Re-cut Slots
-
An economical choice for guitars with buzzing open strings caused by low and worn slots.
This is also a good alternative to shimming a nut which is buried in factory catalyzed finishes.
-
If the existing nut is too tall, it helps to file and re-shape the top reducing the depth of the slots.
Related Work: Nut Slots, Set-ups
-
Old nut is removed and shelf is carefully cleaned and flattened. A new nut is made from scratch specifically to your guitar.
Once fit, shaped and installed the nut slots are spaced to the width of your neck and cut to proper depth.
The material is also polished to a high luster.
Related Work: Set-ups
-
I do not recommend buying a pre-made nut. It would be critical the client measures and orders the correct nut.
Assuming the correct pre-made nut is ordered, there is still considerable time spent fitting it to the shelf and optimizing the nut slot height.
A handmade (from scratch) replacement is a better use of time and money.