Guitar Setups

"There is great satisfaction knowing the work you put into guitar setups or repairs will result in the player being able to expand their skills. So, let's get your instrument set up to its optimum best."

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Guitar setups are an interesting and rewarding side to our workshop. There is great satisfaction knowing the work you put into the repair or setup of a guitar will result in the player being able to expand their skills knowing their instrument is set up to its optimum best.

Many aspects to a guitar’s optimum playability depend on multiple factors. The fingerboard for instance is crucial to the feel and dexterity that a player will experience. Once the fingerboard is aligned, the frets must then be checked for accuracy. A rouge or lifted fret can mean a note ‘choking’ resulting in a dead sound; this can cause the player to avoid that particular area of the fretboard … not good.

The intonation and action height again can contribute hugely to a player’s positive mind-set. If the intonation is out, there will be a discrepancy in the octave. The action unduly high (at the saddle or nut) will result in difficulty achieving the right dexterity and speed.

Recent Reviews

"I've just got my seagull S6 back .I asked for a set up as it was difficult for me to play . and all I can say is fantastic. it's now a pleasure to play instead of chore. I haven't put it down since I picked it up today.... its made my dream guitar a dream to play. thank you.."

Chris Bond

Facebook review

"Always excellent service from excellent staff. Great info and advice and the best guitar set ups I've had! Serving us well for years and years, and here's to many more."

Joe Lomax

Facebook Review

"Had my battered old Fender Jazz bass set up by Tony. Put my favourite Elites strings on and now it plays superbly. Used to have to do battle with it with high action and choked notes, now it plays phenomenal!!! Turned round in 2 days!!! Cheers Tony 👌"

Paul Allen

Facebook review

"Took my guitar in for a repair, god knows what had been done to it before it was given to me. New frets, and some serious rehabing later it looks great and sounds great.They even remembered to restring it for a left hander. I honestly though it was a lost cause but they proved me wrong and for less than a cheap replacement would have cost."

Emma Riddiford

Facebook Review

See also our recent Facebook and Google Reviews

Improve your Guitar's Overall Playability

Once we are happy with this area of playability, we can move onto other important if not crucial parts of guitar setups. These include parts that ensure overall player confidence. Attention to machine head tensions, pick up height, crackle free electrics and a general tightening down of the build all contribute to make sure your instrument will perform faultlessly. This leaves you to fill in the cleaver bits i.e. the song and the solos that the audience appreciates!

Also Included in the guitar setups service is the buffing of frets, oiling of the fingerboard, fitting of new strings (pre tensioning) and a general polishing and review of the body. Finally we do an overall playability check.

We have worked on some amazing guitars for customers of great diversity over the years. Whether it’s an electric, acoustic, bass or indeed any strung instrument, we would love to have the opportunity to improve its overall playability.

Cost of Guitar Setups

General String Change: – £20.00 (inc. vat) plus strings (Dependent on string choice).

Electric guitar setups: Fixed bridge – £50.00 (inc. vat) plus your personal string choice.

Electric guitar: Floating or locking trem system – £60.00 (inc. vat) plus your personal string choice

Acoustics – £50.00 (inc. vat) plus your personal string choice.

Bass – £50.00 (inc. vat) plus personal string choice.

Turn-around time one to three days depending on work load.

We can arrange to have your guitar picked up and redelivered for a £5.00 each way trip within the North West. Depending on workroom activity, normal turnaround is usually within three days.

We are happy to quote for any other repair or upgrade you may require to any instrument.

Instrument Collection Service

Instrument repairs with the convenience of pick-up and return.

Pickup and return days are currently the mornings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the service is available for those in Bolton and its surrounding areas. Please click below for more information.