Clear starting prices for common bench work, plus the details that change the final number. No mystery menu and no work beyond the approved estimate.
These are labor starting points for instruments in normal condition. Strings, parts and materials are extra unless specifically included. Vintage construction, previous repairs, finish sensitivity, hidden damage and unusual access can change the estimate.
Minimum charges and hourly labor rates for diagnosis, repair and custom bench work. Parts and materials are additional.
Minimum labor charge:
Covers the time required to inspect, test, and diagnose your equipment. This fee may be applied toward the completed repair but is due if the repair is declined.
Hourly labor rate for repair or custom work not covered by a published flat-rate service.
Minimum labor charge for electronics and amplifier inspection, testing, diagnosis, or repair.
Hourly labor rate for electronics and amplifier work beyond the minimum bench charge.
The right starting point for playability, tuning and general maintenance. Strings are not included in setup pricing.
Install strings, tune, stretch, wipe down and complete a basic condition check.
Relief, action and intonation for an otherwise healthy instrument.
Restringing, bridge balancing, spring adjustment, locking-nut work and intonation.
Additional bridge balancing and spring adjustment for non-locking floating systems.
For sharp ends, high frets, dead notes, choking bends and worn playing surfaces.
Dress and smooth protruding fret ends caused by dry conditions or fingerboard shrinkage.
Seat, glue, level or replace a limited number of problem frets.
Correct uneven fret height, restore crown shape, polish and dial in the instrument afterward.
Remove frets, prepare the board, install new wire, level, crown, polish and set up.
Additional labor for finish protection, fret nibs, harder wire or difficult fingerboards.
The small contact points that control first-position feel, tuning and acoustic action.
Correct high, uneven or binding slots without replacing a serviceable nut.
Fit and adjust a compatible pre-made replacement for proper slot height and tuning.
Shape, fit, slot and polish a bone nut made for the instrument.
Lower, reshape or correct saddle contact and action where material allows.
Fit and adjust a compatible pre-made replacement for proper action and contact.
Shape and hand-fit a bone saddle with action and compensation matched to the guitar.
Remove safely where required, prepare the mating surfaces, reglue and verify structure and action.
Fabricate and fit a replacement bridge and saddle appropriate for the instrument.
Quiet controls, reliable connections and wiring that does what it is supposed to do.
Trace intermittent output, hum, crackle, weak signal or switching problems.
Remove and install one component with standard wiring, then test grounding and function.
Mount, solder, phase-check, balance height and play-test a direct replacement.
Install two or three pickups with proper switching, polarity and final balance.
Soundhole, transducer or undersaddle system with endpin-jack work as required.
Reduce avoidable noise with cavity shielding and corrected ground paths.
Rebuild unreliable, heavily modified or specialized control circuits.
Clean installation with alignment, screw fit and setup consequences handled correctly.
Install direct-fit tuners or modify mounting holes where required and approved.
Install or repair a secure mounting point.
Fit a premade guard and drill only where required and approved.
Inspection matters here. Finish condition, access and hidden damage can change everything.
Controlled rehydration before setup or repair when dryness has moved the instrument.
Locate, clean and reglue accessible loose or cracked braces.
Realign, glue, cleat or splint as the damage requires. Finish work is separate.
Repair wear, add a retainer where appropriate, or replace a failed plate.
Structural glue-up starts with the break; splines or overlays add labor. Finish work is unavailable at this time.
Joint style, finish, fret condition and previous work determine the repair path.
Complex structural, finish-sensitive or previously repaired instruments require inspection.
A buzz can come from relief, a high fret, a loose tuner, a nut slot, bridge hardware or something moving inside the guitar. This guide helps with budgeting; the checked-in estimate is the number that controls the job.
"Quick and very reasonably priced." - Brian R
If a simple adjustment solves it, great. If the guitar needs deeper work, you will hear the practical version before spending the money.
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