(Prices do not include cost of strings or parts, except where noted.)
SET-UPs:
- Acoustic 6 string $50 - $60
- Electric guitar or bass $60
- Electric guitar with locking tremolo $75
- 12 string $70
- Mandolin $60
- Minor fret leveling with set up $30 - $40
Every instrument is setup to your personal playing style. There are 4 main steps to a set-up, and these have to be done in order:
- Adjust the neck,
- Adjust the nut slots,
- Adjust the saddles for radius and height,
- Adjust the saddles for intonation, with Peterson strobe tuner.
A set-up also includes:
- adjust pickup heights
- spray pots and switches
- adjust tremolo or tailpiece
- general cleaning, polish back of neck
- clean and oil fretboard, polish frets
- tap in loose frets
- tighten loose hardware
- stretch strings
- lubricate string slots, tuners
- oil acoustic bridge, ream tight pin holes.
FRET WORK

Full FRET LEVEL + crown, done in the Erlewine neck jig (above) -- $110
Full fret level + crown, without the neck jig -- $80
Partial fret level + crown -- $30-$40 (Sometimes leveling the upper frets can allow lower action, for a better set up.)
Full RE-FRET includes leveling the fretboard wood, plus full fret level and crown, parts included:
- Unbound $280
- Bound $300
- Lacquered maple $325
- Ebony fret board + $40
- Stainless steel + $75
Partial re-fret:
- 12 frets: $210 for unbound fretboard, $230 for bound (includes full fret level and crown)
- 7 frets: $170 for unbound fretboard, $180 for bound (includes full fret level and crown)
Conversion to FRETLESS $240 and up
New NUT or SADDLE:
- Bone nut, custom made: $70, parts included
- Tusq or graphite nut, pre-slotted: $55, parts included
- Acoustic saddle, bone or Tusq: $50, parts included
- Earvana compensated nut: $60 or $70 (there are two types), plus $35 to $41 parts. Includes intonation.
STRUCTURAL
- Remove and re-glue lifting acoustic bridge $100
- Heat straighten neck $80
- Martin neck re-set $350
- Bolt on acoustic neck re-set $200
- Broken headstock $60 and up
CLEAN AND POLISH
- Some older guitars can use a full cleaning and polish. This usually runs $40 to $60 depending on the condition of the finish. I use Virtuoso brand cleaner and polish, formulated for vintage finishes.
PICKUPS
- Humbucker or P 90 $40 for one, $60 for two
- Strat $40 for one, $60 for three
- Hollow body guitar $50 for one, $80 for two
- Fishman Matrix type under saddle acoustic pickup $75
- LR Baggs type sound hole acoustic pickup $65
- K & K under bridge acoustic pickup $75
New jack $25
New switch $40
New pots $30
Add coil tap $40
Copper shielding $60
Install tuners $30 to $40