AM Guitar Repair

Guitar Setup, Maintenance, and Mechanical Repairs

Services and Rates
Guitar Setup and Mechanical Repair          

Is your guitar hard to play?  Not staying in tune? Strings keep breaking? Frets worn or cutting into your hands? Parts broken?  AM Guitar Repair can fix it!

All pricing is subject to vary per guitar, and is quoted on a piece by piece basis.  All service done by appointment only. 

Contact AM Guitar Repair

 
Above: A Jazz Bass on the bench for some fret end work. 

 

Customer Comment:

Dear AM Guitar Repair... I always assumed that my guitars were set up properly.  Two recent purchases, a Fender Strat and a Fender Jazz Bass, had not been adjusted since leaving the factory.  Alan worked on the Strat first and the difference was immediately apparent - it sounded better and was easier to play.  When I bought the bass, I had him work on that right away, with similar results.  I can't wait to get my other three guitars on his bench... John Korn

Re-String and Setup

Re-String - Replace those old dead sounding strings with new ones.  New strings will sound and intonate better.  They will also reduce tension on the neck, bridge, and body (which is especially important on acoustic guitars).  Includes removal of old strings, oil fingerboard, install and stretch new strings, tune and polish guitar.

Tip: For best sound and performance change your strings every 3-6 months for electric and acoustic guitars, and annually for basses.

   Re-String Strings not included.  Have intonation adjusted for an additional $10
6 String Electric, Acoustic, 4 String Bass $15 + strings
Guitars with Floyd Rose Style Tremolo, 5 or 6 String Bass $20 + strings
12 String Acoustic or Electric $25 + strings

 

Setup - A well set up and properly intonated guitar plays easier and sounds better than a guitar that is not set up properly.  A setup includes the following as necessary:  String replacement (strings extra) Truss rod, bridge, and nut slot adjustment.  Balance tremolo.  Set action and intonation.  Clean and check electronics, adjust pickups.  Clean and polish guitar.  

Tip: Because guitars are made of wood and metal under tension from the strings, they are effected by weather changes and time.  Even most new guitars can benefit from a setup.  Guitar factories adjust guitars to their specifications, which may or may not suit your particular style.  Action is sometimes set high to avoid buzzing frets.  Most players prefer a low action for ease of playing.  Guitar adjustments may also "drift" between the time they leave the factory and end up in your hands.  I recommend having your instrument set up and maintained at least on an annual basis.

    Setup
6 String Acoustic, Electric w/out Tremolo, 4 string bass

$40* + strings
Guitars with Tremolo (Standard Strat style) $45* + strings
Guitars with Locking Tremolo (Floyd Rose style)  $50* + strings
12 String Guitar, 5 and 6 String Basses $50* + strings
* Setups requiring removal of nut - add $20                                                                 * Setups requiring removal of bolt-on neck - add $20
Extras!  These extras are available without setup, but are discounted with setup
Fret End File - Eliminate those sharp fret ends that catch your hands as they move up and down the neck $30 with setup
Fret Buff and Polish - Frets buffed and polished to a smooth, shiny, silky feeling finish $10 with setup
 

A Les Paul on the bench for setup

 

Repairs, Upgrades, Customization (Mechanical)   Have your guitar configured to best suit your needs!

All pricing is subject to vary per guitar, and is quoted on a piece by piece basis.  All service done by appointment only.  Contact AM Guitar Repair

Tuners - Upgrading or replacing old worn tuners will better keep your guitar in tune so you sound better!  Parts not included in price.

Tip:  Locking tuners are recommended for guitars with tremolo.

   Tuner Install
Tuner Install (Exact Fit) Includes re-string. (Strings and Tuners not included) 

$40
Tuner Install requiring minimal modification to the headstock. (Drilling holes for mounting screws or positioning pegs).  Additional charges will apply if tuner holes need re-drilled. $60

 

Pickguard  Replace -  Give your guitar a unique custom look with a new pickguard, or help that old guitar look newer.  Price based on pre-cut and drilled exact fit pickguard.  Parts not included.

   Pickguard Replacement
Strat Style (pickups and electronics mounted in pickguard)

$40
Tele or Les Paul Style  $20

 

Nut Repair or Replace - A broken or worn nut will cause issues.  Upgrading a low end nut will improve tone and tuning.  Pricing may vary due to unexpected difficulty in removing old nut.  A standard setup is included in this price!

   Nut replacement
Install pre-cut and Slotted Nut (Exact Fit) Includes setup. (Parts not included) 

$60
Shaping and installing new nut from scratch - Includes setup. (Parts not included) $100

 

Bridge Repair or Replace - Upgrade your bridge for improved tone, sustain, and tuning stability.  Check out some of the upgrade bridge saddles available for better tuning and longer string life.  Parts are additional.  Prices quoted below are for exact fit.  There will be additional charges for installs requiring modification to the guitar.

   Bridge work
Install Tune-o-Matic or Hard Tail Bridge (Exact Fit) Includes setup. (Parts not included) 

$50
Install Tremolo Bridge (Exact Fit) Includes setup. (Parts not included)  $60
Install Tele Style Bridge with pickup mounted in bridge (Exact Fit). Includes setup (Parts not included) $65
Replace Bridge Saddles (Exact Fit)   Parts and setup not included. $50

 

Fretwork - Loose or worn frets will cause buzzing and intonation problems.  Guitars that are played on a regular basis will have fretwear.  This can be repaired by leveling the frets and recrowning them.  If the frets are worn too far, the guitar may need a partial or complete re-fret.  Fretwork should always be done in combination with a setup as it has a significant effect on the guitar.  The middle column is the price you pay if you also pay for a setup (see above).  The last column is the price for fretwork without setup.  Parts not included in pricing.

   Fretwork
Buff and Polish - Frets buffed and polished to a smooth shiny surface $10 + Setup

$20 without setup
Recrown and Polish - Shapes the fret tops  $25 + Setup $40 without setup
Fret End File - Eliminate those fret ends that catch your hands as they move up and down the neck! $30 + Setup $40 without setup
Fret Level and Crown - Repairs worn frets by leveling all the frets, then crowning (shaping) the tops. $50 + Setup NA
Fret Level, Crown, Fret End File w/Buff and Polish - The Works! $80 + Setup NA
Reseat Loose Frets - 1st/Each Add'l $10/$5 + Setup $25/$5 without setup

Partial Re-fret - Includes removal of old fret(s), clean slots, install new frets, comlete level and re-crown, end file new frets and setup.  Price will be quoted upon evaluation of the guitar.

Complete Re-fret - Includes removal of old frets, level fingerboard with existing radius, clean slots, install new frets, complete level and re-crown, end file new frets and setup.  Price will be quoted upon evaluation of the guitar.

Some of the specialized tools used for setup, nut, and fretwork
This list is by no means complete!  If you don't find what you are looking for, please ask and thanks for looking! 

All pricing is subject to vary per guitar, and is quoted on a piece by piece basis.  All service done by appointment only. Contact AM Guitar Repair

| Home | About | Guitar Setup & Repairs | Guitar Repair & Mods -Electronic | Amplifier Repair | Photo Gallery | Contact |