Repairs and restorations
I am a certified guitar technician and luthier with 25+ years of experience. I was formally educated at Vermont Instrument School of Lutherie in instrument repair and restoration. I work on acoustic, classical, electric, 6 string, 12 string, mandolins, ukuleles, banjos, and bass guitars. I’ve repaired many makes including Martin, Gibson, Gretsch, Larson Brothers (Maurer, Stahl), Guild, McAlister, Fender, Taylor, Lowden, Santa Cruz, Sadowsky, Collings, Rockbridge and Hofner.
I offer repairs ranging from a custom set up to neck resets, full fret jobs, and all electronic work, completing each job to the player's unique specs. My clients receive personal attention to discuss playing styles, musical tastes, and expectations. I also offer guitar restoration (or resurrection), bringing value, aesthetics, and playability back to vintage guitars. I've had the opportunity to work on several prewar instruments, and I know the importance of keeping repairs period correct and properly done to retain the value of the instrument. Many examples of my repairs can be found on my Instagram or Facebook site.
Prices
Electric Guitars:
Basic setup (set action, neck relief, intonation, lube keys, adjust nut slots, clean/oil fretboard)
6 string - $70 plus strings
Locking tremolo 6 string - $90 plus strings
Electronics:
Install pickups - $40 per each plus materials
Route body for pickup - $100 per plus pickup install
Clean and lube pots and jack - $40
New wiring harness - $200 call for quote*
Install new potentiometer (pot) - $40 plus materials
Install new switch - $40 plus materials
Install output jack - $40 plus materials
Shielding cavities (copper) - $200 call for quote *
Shielding cavities (paint on) - $185 call for quote*
Electronic diagnostic work - $70/hr (1/2 hr minimum)
Add $80 for any hollow body guitar work
Acoustic Guitars
Basic setup (set action, neck relief, intonation, lube keys, adjust nut slots, clean/oil fretboard)
6 string - $70 plus strings
12 string - $100 plus strings
Bone saddle - $85 plus materials (add $30 for 12 string)
Remove and glue bridge - $140
Custom bridge (call for abstract shapes) - $350
Repair/reinforce bridge plate - $250 (not for removal)
Bridge plate removal and install new - $350 (needs bridge reset as well)
Belly reduction - $250 (needs bridge reset as well)
Top/back/side cracks - $30 per inch (may needs refinish work as well)*
Glue loose bracing - $45 per each
Replace pickguard - $150
Make custom pickguard - $200 plus materials*
Neck set (may need additional fretwork/repair) - $400
Neck set (Gibson, Guild, Yamaha) - $450
Set neck reset (electric Les Paul, ES335, SG types) - $500
Install electronics/pickup - $150 (plus materials)*
Common repairs on either acoustic or electric
Restring and tune (fretboard and body cleanup)
6 string - $30 plus strings
12 string - $50 plus strings
Bone nut
6 string - $85 plus materials
12 string and mandolin - $125 plus materials
Broken headstock - $250 call for quote*
Binding repair - $150 per binding call for quote*
Tuner replacement
(no drilling or reaming) - $50
(drilling or reaming needed) - $80
Fret dress (level, crown, and polish) - $130 (setup required as well)
Fret end dress - $70
Fret job without binding - $300 plus materials
Fret job with binding - $350 plus materials
Fret job with stainless - $400 plus materials
Partial fret job (add $50 for bound neck) - $180 (Add $20 for each fret passed 3rd fret)
Install strap button - $25 each plus materials
*complexity can greatly differ so please contact me for evaluation and quote
1933 Martin C2 Conversion
My client bought a 1933 Martin C-2 archtop with hopes of converting it to period correct 1933 OM-28. The back, sides, and neck are in excellent condition, and the entire guitar has its original finish. A real gem!
Of course my challenge is to remove the archtop and replace with a Red Spruce flat top while not interrupting the original finish on rest of the guitar. Make sure to check out the demo of the OM at the end of this picture gallery!
