Repairs

Guitar and bass repair services

We believe in taking the time to do quality work with quality parts to get your electric guitar or bass back in shape - whether that’s a new set of strings or a complete restoration from top to bottom.

While we do some basic acoustic work, our primarily focus is on electric instruments. We are happy to refer you to other shops if the scope of work is outside our purview. The goal at Glen Allen Guitar Studio is to provide quality services in Richmond’s West End that will make you excited about playing your instrument - not taking your money and leaving you disappointed!

All guitars are different. Prices will vary based on your guitar and your needs. A $35 non-refundable bench fee is due up-front, and will be applied to your final bill. Please read the questions and terms regarding repair services below for additional information.

  • Basic string change including light cleaning. Additional costs apply for more complex or non-standard setups.

    For an additional charge, if you’re learning guitar and you want to learn how to change your own strings, we are happy to teach you as well!

    Strings required (but not included).

  • All aspects of a guitar’s electronics, from scratchy pots to new pickup and harness installs.

    $25 covers basic aspects - lose wires that need resoldering, easily fixable noisy pots and switches, etc. Prices and possible additional deposits are quoted and determined by job.

    Strings are likely required, depending on your instrument’s setup (but not included).

  • Basic setup for electric guitars and basses. Recommended for anyone that has a guitar that doesn’t play as well as it used to!

    • Truss rod/neck relief adjustment

    • Action and intonation adjustment

    • File nut slots

    • Simple clean

    More advanced wear and tear and floating bridges will warrant additional costs.

    Strings required (but not included).

  • Complete fret level, crown, and polish. Requires evaluation to ensure there is enough fret material to perform the leveling process.

    Strings required (but not included).

  • Complete refret, fret level, crown, polish, and setup. Price and acceptance will vary based on your fretboard material, fretboard finish, and fret material.

    Note: we are currently not equipped to do bass refrets.

    Strings required (but not included).

  • Need a custom pickguard? Install an aluminum neck on your Jazzmaster? Something we haven’t listed? We are equipped to handle a wide range of services to get your guitar or bass set up and playing exactly how you want. And if we can’t for whatever reason, we know who can!

    Contact us for a quote and we can find a price that works for you!

Q&A’s

Things to expect when choosing Glen Allen Guitar Studio. Need something answered that isn’t listed here? Send us a message!

  • Every instrument you bring in (unless otherwise specified) requires a $35 non-refundable bench fee at time of drop-off. This is used to reserve your time and pay for any materials. That fee will be applied to your final costs.

    Certain services may also warrant an additional up-front fee that will, again, be applied to your final invoice.

    Based on The Commonwealth of Virginia’s tax laws, unless you are purchasing tangible personal property, the price we give you will be your price, as services are tax-exempt.

  • No two guitars are exactly the same, and that makes billing a challenge. Refretting an unbound maple neck with stainless steel frets is completely different than refretting a bound neck with a manmade fretboard and nickel frets, for example.

    We can provide you a rough estimate without seeing your guitar, but we can’t make any promises on a price until we perform a more thorough inspection. We will never do any work on your instruments or perform a service you’re unwilling to pay for without your approval first.

  • We are currently open by appointment only. Contact us and we’ll figure out a time and location that works for everyone. We have two convenient locations - one in Glen Allen and one near Scott’s Addition.

  • During any setup service where we adjust the playability of an instrument or new strings are installed, we will default to standard tuning with low action unless otherwise specified. That’s EADGBE for 6-string guitars, and EADG for 4-string basses.

    If you want a different tuning or action, you need to let us know when you drop off your instrument, before we begin work.

  • Similarly to drop-off, we’ll work together to find a time that works best for everyone involved. If you’re a reasonable distance from one of our locations, we can bring your instrument to your home, so you can try it out with your own gear in the comfort of your own home - or just to save the trip.

  • All instruments are expected to be picked up within 30 days of completion of service. If you cannot pick it up within 30 days of completion, your property will be forfeited to Glen Allen Guitar Studio for resale.

    We get it. Life happens. But we only have so much space for gear in the shop at any given time.

  • If you get your guitar home, play that Hendrix riff you’ve been playing for 20 years, and find that something doesn’t feel right, let us know. Guitar work is often about compromise - what the wood and metal will do vs. what you’d love to ideally see happen. However, we will be happy to make minor, reasonable adjustments to our work within 7 days, free of charge.

  • Glen Allen Guitar Studios likes to take photos of any instruments under our care - both to document our work, and to promote our work on social media. We only include information about the work that is being done and never use names or identifying information.

    If you would prefer we didn't use images of your instrument, or you would like a post taken down, just let us know, and we’ll take care of it.