Every guitar we own will eventually require some level of attention. It could be regular setup work or maintenance, such as worn frets or a bowed neck, or it could be something more significant such as a sunken top or lifted bridge. Whatever the case, finding a good guitar repair shop will save you time and money, and offer peace of mind. While your first question is undoubtedly “How can I find guitar repair near me?”, it’s important to know what to look for when choosing a person to work on your instrument.
Luthiers vs. Guitar Techs
Guitar repair is somewhat of an unusual skill, as it is not licensed or regulated. Most work is performed locally, and guitar repair shop reputation is built primarily by word of mouth. As a result, it is important to be able to determine if the person you are trusting is up to the task.
Let’s distinguish between luthier and guitar repair person, a.k.a, guitar tech. A luthier is a maker of stringed instruments. A guitar tech may or may not also make guitars, and some luthiers repair guitars as a side business. It’s not particularly important which category they fall in, provided they have the ability and experience needed to do the job.
Guitar repair shops sometimes specialize in certain types of guitars, in addition to doing general work. For example, some shops specialize in acoustic guitar repair, which is often the case when dealing with vintage acoustics. Prized vintage guitars, both electric and acoustic, often require a deft touch because of their age.
Similarly, there are techs that specialize in archtop repair, since these guitars can be expensive and tricky to dial in. In terms of amplifier and guitar pedal repair, it depends on the experience of the shop. Electronic skills needed to diagnose and fix an amplifier are different from guitar repair skills, and most shops won’t bother with guitar pedal repair.
Guitar amplifier repair is another matter, because working with electronics is a specialized skill, and in the case of tube amps, potentially dangerous! Tube amps can carry high voltages even when they are switched off, so it is not recommended that you work on an amplifier unless you know what you are doing! For this reason, I recommend that you contact the manufacturer of your amp and see if they can recommend a shop, or have you ship it to them for service.
Levels of Care
Not all guitar repair is equal—you may want to have a couple people that you can call, based on your needs. Guitar repair and maintenance may be categorized as follows, based on level of effort and experience required:
Level I – Basic:
Many guitars require seasonal truss rod adjustments to compensate for temperature and humidity of changing seasons. While many players opt to do this at home, the best results come from a guitar where the neck adjustment and intonation has already been set properly.
Level II – Medium:
This includes basic work from above, with the addition of a fret dressing to smooth out worn frets, and a check and replacement of any worn parts such as switches, the output jack, or replacing pickups. The interval for fret work depends on how much the guitar is played and the touch of the player. While there are many do-it-yourself types who work on their guitars, many people choose to have a pro perform fret work. Proper fret dressing is essential to a guitar intonating correctly, and it takes some experience to know how to do it correctly.
Level III – High:
This category includes guitar neck repair, refretting, catastrophic accidents, and guitars that are breaking down from either time or careless treatment. Gibson Les Pauls are famous for their propensity to break at the headstock if they are dropped, and if this happens you’ll undoubtedly want to find a tech who is experienced in this repair. Acoustic guitar bridges can decouple from the top, and internal bracing can come loose. Perhaps you were clumsy and the back of the neck now has a gouge that is affecting the playability of the guitar. In the case of these situations, it is even more important to find the best guitar repair tech in your area, because Level III issues directly affect that playability and value of your instrument.
How do I know that they know what they are doing?
Guitar repair is a service business, so they should be pleasant to talk to, appearing knowledgeable but without pretense. The most important decision criteria are their skill level and years of experience. Naturally, guitar tech who has been working on instruments for decades will typically bring more to the table than one that hasn’t. But don’t discount the new guy (or gal): Everyone has to start somewhere, and if the work is basic and you have a good rapport the risk is relatively low. That said, if you have any reservations, and own multiple guitars, it is best to start with one of your less expensive and/or less desirable axes, and treat it as a “test run.”
In addition:
- They should be able to give you a ballpark cost of the work up front. This goes for most work, but there are exceptions where there are unknown factors that require additional investigation, such as a neck reset. Generally, unknowns shouldn’t appear that much in guitars unless there is a structural repair or an overhaul with the electronics.
- They should be able to answer most general questions about your instrument. For example, based on a quick inspection, an experienced tech will know the acceptable range of action (string height from the fretboard) for a typical guitar model.
- If you have some “dumb” questions, they should be happy to answer them. A good guitar tech realizes that you most likely do not possess the level of knowledge that they do. I would consider it a bad indicator if a tech appeared impatient or uncomfortable answering basic questions about your guitar (provided, of course, that you aren’t overstaying your welcome and taking too much of their time!)
- They should not try to upsell you on work that you don’t need. If the frets are showing some wear but are not quite ready for a fret dress, they should indicate that.
- They should ask you what your personal preferences are for a setup. This could include neck relief, string gauge, pickup height, and the general type of tone that you are seeking. Knowing this will help them dial in the guitar in a way that will appeal to you.
Conclusion
As with anything in life, by all means follow your gut when choosing a guitar tech. Guitarists tend to become very attached to their instruments, and it is worth the trouble to find someone that will do it right. One note about in-house guitar techs at major retailers: They tend to be less experienced than independents. For example, while I have had positive experiences in the past with Guitar Center repair, I would hesitate to bring them a cherished guitar without having worked with them previously, especially if the work needed is beyond a simple setup. It stands to reason that a person who is serious about luthier/repair work will hang their own shingle.
Happy Playing!