For beginners and advanced players alike, guitars and steel strung instruments can sonetimes be far harder to play than they need to be. String action is not always set up for best playability, chords can sound out of tune, holding down the strings near the nut can be uncomfortable, rattles and buzzes spoil the sound... I could go on...
I am an experienced player who has used many big name instruments, and ended up making even better ones (ha ha!) and can set instruments up to sound and play at their best or carry out upgrades and repairs at modest cost.
I am an experienced player who has used many big name instruments, and ended up making even better ones (ha ha!) and can set instruments up to sound and play at their best or carry out upgrades and repairs at modest cost.
The standard and full TLC set-up
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A standard set-up job on acoustic instruments includes setting the action (adjusting the truss rod and string height at nut and bridge), a light fret dress and polish, clean and treat the fingerboard and fit new strings.
£70 + strings Full TLC service to include deep cleaning of hardware and body, followed by professional buffing to remove light wear to restore to showroom finish (or as near as possible!). £95 + strings |
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Fret repairs
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Worn frets can affect sound and intonation. Light wear can be remedied with a dressing and polish (part of the set-up package obove) but badly worn frets may need completely replacing.
Full refret start at £275 (mandolins) |
A Martin with deeply notched frets...
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... frets pulled...
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...and replaced so the instrument can be re-set up like new!
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Bridges and nuts
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Sometimes action and playability needs a new nut or bridge saddle. I can replace worn plastic nuts and bridge saddles with bone, corian or TUSQ
Instruments with adjustable floating bridges such as mandolins can benefit from retrofitting a lightweight solid bridges which increase volume, projection and and sustain. New had made nut or bridge saddle insert £45 New hand made bridges from £80 |
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Tuners/machine heads
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Smooth tuners with a high gear ratio are not only a joy to use but provide far greater accuracy and stability. Budget tuners are often more difficult to use than they need to be and all tuners wear out in time and become sloppy. I am a fan of Schaller Grandtune and Gotoh tuners, and can supply and fit these or any other preferences at a reasonable cost.
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Pickups and electrics
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Piezo pickups attached to the underside of soundboards are a cost effective way of getting a natural and warm sound from acoustic instruments.
K&K twinspot installation (guitars, mandolins etc) £100 |
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Cosmetic repairs
I can repair most minor faults such as chips, dings, cracks etc - call for an appraisal and advice.
Restorations - a cautionary note
.I sometimes get enquiries about restoring antique instruments, paricularly bowl-back mandolins. The costs of refretting, resetting the neck and replacing tuners are likel;y to be high compared to the value of the instrument, Unless the instrument is from a famous maker or of sentimental value, restoration of a worn out antique to a working instrument is rarely worthwhile. If you are looking for an instrument to play my advice is look for a secondhand modern instrument (or buy one of mine LOL!!).