Guitar Setup and Repair Cost Guide
Prices below reflect typical 2026 rates at independent repair shops and store repair counters across the US. Big-city shops run 20 to 40 percent higher. Parts are extra where noted.
Routine work
| Service | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard setup | $60 to $100 | Truss rod, action, intonation, cleaning |
| Setup with strings | $70 to $115 | The usual package |
| Floating tremolo setup | $85 to $130 | Floyd Rose and similar take longer |
| String change only | $15 to $30 | Learn this one yourself |
| 12-string setup | $90 to $140 | Twice the strings, more than twice the fiddling |
Fret and nut work
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Fret level, crown, and polish | $150 to $300 |
| Partial refret | $200 to $350 |
| Full refret | $300 to $550 |
| Nut replacement, bone | $60 to $120 |
Electronics and structural
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Output jack replacement | $25 to $50 |
| Potentiometer replacement | $40 to $80 |
| Pickup swap, per pickup | $40 to $90 labor |
| Acoustic bridge reglue | $100 to $200 |
| Crack repair, acoustic top | $75 to $250 |
| Neck reset, acoustic | $300 to $600 |
| Headstock break repair | $100 to $300 |
Is it worth fixing?
The working rule: routine work is worth it on any guitar you play, because a $70 setup improves a $200 guitar as much as a $2,000 one. Structural work is worth it when the repaired guitar would cost more to replace, or when the guitar matters to you beyond money, which is a perfectly good reason.
How often does a guitar need a setup?
Once a year as a baseline, twice in climates with hard seasonal swings, and always on any newly purchased guitar, new or used. Between setups, the only maintenance most guitars need is string changes and a wipe-down. Our article on what a setup includes explains each adjustment in plain language.
Repair shops and luthiers are listed in our directory. The good ones are booked out a week or two; that waiting list is the best review a tech can have.
App we recommend
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