I specialize in setups for electric and acoustic guitars and basses. My mission is to enhance your guitar's playability and to bring it to peak condition. Each setup is tailored to achieve low action with minimal buzzing, creating a seamless playing experience. I focus on precision adjustments that cater to your unique playing style. I will make recommendations for any necessary future adjustments when appropriate.

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My setup covers 12 points. Here's the process:

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12 Point Setup

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​- Initial Inspection: Thoroughly examine your guitar to identify any specific issues and assess its overall condition.

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- Truss Rod Adjustment: Adjust the truss rod to the ideal amount of relief for your guitar to create a comfortable playing surface with minimal string buzz.

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- Bridge Height Adjustment: Set the string height at the 12th fret for acoustics and the 17th fret for electrics and basses to optimize playability and tone.

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- Potentiometer Maintenance: Check and clean the volume and tone pots to eliminate any scratchiness and tighten loose components.

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​- Fretboard Conditioning: Clean and condition the fretboard to preserve its longevity and enhance the wood's natural beauty. 

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- Restring and Tune: Replace strings with your new strings and tune your guitar to perfection. Lubricate the nut to promote smooth string movement. I can supply D'Addario strings for an additional cost.

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- Tuning Machines Adjustment:Tighten any loose tuning machines so they hold tuning.

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- Body Screws Maintenance: Check for and tighten any loose screws on the body to prevent unwanted vibrations and ensure stability.

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- Pickup Height Adjustment: Assess and adjust the pickup heights to factory standards to ensure good tone and dynamic response. If you use non-standard settings, let me know. 

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- Intonation Setup: Set and adjust the intonation so your guitar is in tune across the entire fretboard.

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- Final Cleaning: Clean the guitar so it looks as good as it plays.

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- Play Test: Play your guitar to check for any buzzing, assess playability, and evaluate the overall feel, and make any final adjustments to ensure your complete satisfaction.

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OPTIONAL: Clean and polish the frets to create smoother playability and enhance their appearance.

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Setting up a Floyd Rose equipped guitar requires two additional steps:

- Bridge levelling: Balance the bridge for stable performance

- Spring tension adjustments: Ensure smooth tremolo operation.

There is an upcharge for setting up guitars with a Floyd Rose.

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Individual Services and Repairs

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Complete setup

A complete setup is the full meal deal -  it includes any truss rod adjustments, then tuning, adjusting the action/string height, intonation, and finishes with a full detailing of the entire guitar. Restringing isn't essential but is recommended so as to leave no stone unturned. 

$50                         

New Strings    $15     Or supply your own.                        

Add Fret Polish   $25

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Fret Polish - Basic

Polishing the frets removes all the dirt, grime and gunk that builds up from regular playing. I use Zona 6-step polishing paper with grits ranging from 600 to 22000. The result is a smooth, slippery feeling that increases playability - a must for easier, more satisfying playing.

$30

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Fret Polish - Advanced

A basic fret does a great job - it should be a must on the maintenance list for your guitar. Designed for the discriminating player, the advanced polish takes it up a notch. This time-consuming 12-step polish begins with two grades of steel wool, followed by four grades of wet/dry sandpaper, and finishes with the 6-step Zona polishing paper. The difference over the basic polish is subtle, but distinct.

$125

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Restringing and tuning

As basic as it gets... Replace the strings and retune to pitch. You can supply strings or purchase D'Addario strings from me.

$25

D'Addario Strings    $15

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Tuning and intonation

Open string tuning is the first step in achieving good sound. Intonation is adjusting the tuning of each string so that it's in tune all the way up the neck. Proper neck relief is a must to get good intonation so adjusting the truss rod is the first step. 

$25

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Adjusting the action

Adjusting the action is done by adjusting the string height of the individual strings - it determines the "speed" of the action. A fast action is achieved by lowering the string height. Proper neck relief is essential so the first step is to adjust the truss rod. 

$25

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Cleaning and maintenance

There's nothing better than playing a guitar that's spotlessly clean. Cleaning the electronics keep them working at their best. Cleaning and oiling the fretboard enhances the tone wood and adds much needed oil if the neck is dry. Cleaning and polishing the body enhances the overall appearance - makes your smile bigger. Polishing the frets makes them smoother and easier to play - available at additional cost.

Basic Clean  $20                 

Add Fret Polish  $25

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Tuner replacement

Tuners/machine heads rarely wear out.  They are usually replaced for personal reasons; for example, to change the style or color of the metal hardware. Upgrading to a higher quality of tuner or switching to locking tuners are also common reasons.

Direct Replacement   $40             

Drilling req'd   $70

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Nut Replacement

The nut is usually replaced due to wear or breakage. The cost of new nuts can vary due to the size and the nut material so the cost is separate from the installation.

$50 + New nut cost (starting at $30)

Custom cut nut    Starting at $100

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Pickup Replacement

Looking to change the tone of your guitar? Decided to swap out out your current pickups for something that will give you more of what you want? Bring your new pickups in a box and take them home in your guitar!

2 pickups - $60           3 pickups - $90

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Head Stock Repair

Reattaching a headstock can be a delicate procedure. Refinishing  and retouching  to make the repair invisible is even more delicate.

Reglue only  $50             

Reglue + Retouching    Starting at $150

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Fret End Dressing

"Fret sprouts" are sharp ends of the frets that can make it very uncomfortable to move up and down the neck. They can even cut you. Usually caused by low humidity which causes the neck the shrink, dressing removes the sharp ends.

$50 

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Fret Levelling

If frets are too high or too low the result is an annoying buzz when you play. The frets on the fingerboard should be level.

Levelling frets requires sanding/filing the frets to bring them to the same height. This creates frets with flat tops that then need to be recrowned to make the fret tops rounded again. Once rounded each fret is then polished smooth again. 

If there are buzzes in many places, a complete fret level restores the entire fretboard. If there are buzzes in only a few places, levelling individual frets should solve the problem.

Complete fret levelling     $150

Individual frets                   Starting at $20 ea.

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