Guitar Repair Services

Napa Guitar is a full service shop with years of experience. We’ll be happy to look at your instrument, talk to you about what your guitar needs, how much it will cost, and how long it will take. The estimate is free, of course.

All jobs are priced individually but will usually fall into the following ranges. Prices do not include strings or parts unless specified.

The Works

 $85–100 for most instruments. Add $10 for twelve string or floating trem

• fret dress and setup: precision level, re-crown and polish frets
• complete set-up of truss rod, string height (action) and intonation
• minimize fret buzz, eliminate fret pitting and divits, improve overall tone
• clean and polish instrument; all hardware and electronics inspected, cleaned, and lubed
• Recommended for normal to heavy use or have not been serviced in more than a year
• set string height at the nut and properly file groves

Quick Set

 $35–50 for most instruments. Add $10 for twelve string or floating trem

• restring, clean and polish fretboard, clean instrument, adjust truss rod, string height (action), and intonation
• set string height at the nut

Refret

$165–250 

• includes precision level of fretboard, replacement of all frets
• The Works setup. Frequently requires nut replacement to accommodate newer/taller frets. Nut $35 with refret
• Stainless steel fret wire, add $60

Restring

• bass, 6-string guitar, or banjo, $10
• 12-string, mandolin, or locking tremolo  $18

Hand-made/custom fit bone nut or acoustic saddle

$50–65

• includes restringing and bone blank unless different material is requested
• unbleached “vintage” look available
• 12-string nut, $85
• mandolin nut, $65

Electronic troubleshooting

$15 and up

Pickup installation

• Electric guitar and bass:
  • Passive pickups: $35–50 first pickup, $10/additional
  • Active system with replacement pots (EMG, for example): $55 first pickup, $10/additional
• Acoustic guitar, $45–75 varies with different systems

Structural Repairs

Prices vary for jobs ranging from the relatively simple to very complex. Free estimate once we examine your instrument. Prices  include restring; add $35 for basic set-up

• Broken headstock:
  • reglue with no touchup (headstock attached), $65–120
  • reglue with no touchup (headstock off), starting at $85
  • reglue with touchup: $185 and up, usually invisible
  • rebuild shattered or missing headstock: Bring in or email photos for estimate
• Acoustic top, side or back crack with touch up, only by quote
• Neck reset, $275–450 frequently requires refret as well
• Bridge reglue, $85–150 for most instruments; includes restring and Quick Set
• touch up finish, $50-$75
• replace pealing acoustic guitar pickguard  $45 and up

___________________________ blue book rates lifted form Guitar Repair Shop site for reference

ACOUSTIC

SET UP $75.00+ Strings Includes Neck adjust, action adjustment at nut and saddle, minor fret work, tighten tuner screws and nuts, lubricate tuning machines, general clean up, restring.(12 string - add $25.00)

NEW NUT- $75.00 may or may not include raw material. If your guitar has worn frets, a bowed neck, or an ill fitting saddle, expect additional cost to correct these problems. Many repairman will not install a new nut if other problems are not also addressed.(12 string - add $25.00)

NEW SADDLE- $50.00 may or may not include raw material. Same qualifications as with “new nut”.

RE-GLUE BRIDGE- $100.00 Remove and refit old bridge. Very minor touchup included. (12 string bridge- add $25.00)

REPLACE BRIDGE- $100.00 + cost of factory made bridge ,approx. $30.00 + cost of new saddle (sometimes). (12 string bridge - add $25.00)

HANDMADE BRIDGE- $250.00 and up, by quote. Handmade bridges may be neccasary for vintage Gibson, Martin, Guild, and custom bridge replacements.

REPLACE TUNERS- $50 and up. Seems like a simple job, but can he fraut with nuanced complications.

FRET LEVELING (“Filing”, “Dressing”…) $100.00 and up. Worn or uneven frets can he filed level in many cases, if there will remain enough height on the fret to suit the customer. Frets must be lowered to the height of the lowest pit that can be found. Sometimes, replacing the most worn frets is appropriate. Includes “set up” adjustments.Add $25.00 for finished maple fretboards.

RE-FRET- $15.00 per fret, plus the set up charge Add $50 for fretboards with binding. New nut or saddle may be necesary. Shop minimum may also apply.(Add $25.00 for 12 String)

NECK RE-SET- $300.00 and up. Remove neck. Re-cut heel/body angle to correct high action. Replace neck. New saddle often included, but new nut often extra. Additional fret work and bridge work may also be necessary.(Add $25.00 for 12 string)

CRACK REPAIR- $25 per inch or by quote (particularly for shattered areas). Includes glue and brush touchup with appropriate finish. Cleating (installing small patches of wood inside guitar to reinforce repair) as necessary. Repairs often not invisible.

HEADSTOCK CRACK- $150.00 and up, by quote. Glue, seal and re-finish area. Repairs often not invisible, but finish should be smooth.

INSTALL “UNDER SADDLE” PICK UP - $75.00 - 150.00. Expand endpin hole to accommodate jack. Wire pickup to pre-amp and jack. Fit and re-size old saddle for proper action and contact with pickup. May require new saddle and re-rout of saddle slot(additional). There are other variables relating to pre-amps which must be individually quoted. Condition of bridge and neck angle may be factors in the appropriateness of an under the saddle pickup.

DIAGNOSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM - Shop minimum. Time is money.

HUMIDIFY GUITAR - Shop minimum. Particularly during the dry times of year, instruments may need to be humidifed before repairs and adjustments can be made.

ELECTRIC

SET UP $75.00+ Strings Includes Neck adjust, action adjustment at nut and saddle, minor fret work, tighten tuner screws and nuts, lubricate tuning machines, general clean up, restring. Floating tremelo, Floyd Rose style may cause higher rates

NEW NUT- $75.00 may or may not include raw material. If your guitar has worn frets, a bowed neck, or an ill fitting saddle, expect additional cost to correct these problems. Many repairman will not install a new nut if other problems are not also addressed.

REPLACE TUNERS- $50 and up. Seems like a simple job, but can he fraut with nuanced complications.

FRET LEVELING (“Filing”, “Dressing”…) $100.00 and up. Worn or uneven frets can he filed level in many cases, if there will remain enough height on the fret to suit the customer (and practical playability). Frets must be lowered to the height of the lowest pit that can be found. Sometimes, replacing the most worn frets is appropriate. Includes “set up” adjustments.

RE-FRET- 15.00 per fret, plus set up charge. Add $50 for fretboards with binding.Add $50.00 for finished maple fretboards. New nut may be necesary. Shop minimum may also apply.

HEADSTOCK CRACK- $150.00 and up, by quote. Glue, touchup. Repairs often not invisible, but finish should be smooth

FINISH TOUCH UP-$50.00 and up, by quote.

DIAGNOSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM-Shop minimum Most shops will charge a minimum to diagnose electrical problems if work is not performed. Time is money.

REPLACE JACK-$25.00 plus part Note: Archtop guitars will often incur $50.00 upcharge to remove and re-install wiring harness for all electrical work.

REPLACE PICKUP-$50.00 per pickup

REPLACE VOLUME/TONE POT -$25.00 per part, plus part

ROUT NEW POCKET-$50.00 PLUS install pickup price

REPLACE SWITCH-$25.00- $50.00 per switch, plus part.