From simple restrings and setups to pickup installation, we've got you covered. Is your guitar difficult to play? Buzzing a lot? Going out of tune all the time? You need a setup. It's like taking your car into the shop for a tune-up.
We can get that old guitar playing like new again. We can make your inexpensive guitar play like a higher end instrument. We can amplify your acoustic.
Setups are $65 for Acoustic & Classical Guitars. Add $10 for 12-strings. We'll get the action how you like it - nice and low if that's your thing, or slightly higher so you can "dig in" more on those bends. Adjust for alternate/open tunings, etc... We work with each player to attain the best possible setup for their needs.
Our Complete Setup includes: Cleanup/polish, Restring (strings extra), Cleaning & polishing of frets and fingerboard, oiling unfinished boards (such as rosewood), Adjustment of the truss rod for proper neck relief, adjusting/leveling the saddle for action and proper contact, slotting the nut to attain proper string height and eliminate binding, improve intonation & tuning stability, tighten and clean hardware, etc...
We make custom saddles to upgrade the cheap plastic that comes on most guitars these days. We can also replace yours if its just worn out. We make them out of bone or Graph Tech Tusq (man-made ivory). Bone gives a nice tone and more sustain over cheap plastic. You'll notice a nice improvement right away.
We charge $75 to do a detailed fret dress. (knock off $20 if you do it in conjunction with the setup) We will clean up those frets, perfectly leveling them out to eliminate any high or low spots, minor twists, or waves that cause mysterious buzzing or dead spots. A setup and fret dress combo for $120 will get your guitar playing amazing. This is the most popular service we provide here in our shop.
If your frets are so worn they need replacing, we've got you covered there, too. If you just want to put in different sized frets to change the feel of your guitar, we can do that. Full refrets start at $300 and include the complete setup & fret dress as described above. Partial refrets are available if you've only worn the first several frets. (typically $200) Refret price varies depending on the type of neck, finish, and binding. We carry Dunlop and Stewmac fret wire in several sizes. We can also special order any size you like if we don't have it on hand. Your neck will play like brand new when we're done.
We can make a custom nut to fit your guitar. Most guitars come with plastic nuts which rob the guitar of some tone, sustain and in some cases, tuning stability. The plastic of many nuts acts as a damper to the transmission of string vibration into the neck. We can custom fit a bone or Tusq nut to fit. Each nut is hand crafted, cut and fitted for an attractive appearance. We'll perfectly file the slots to get the action nice, eliminate buzzing or sitar sounds, and help with tuning stability by allowing the strings to slide easily through the slots.
We do custom electronic installs and repairs all the time here at 13th Street Guitars. From simple output jack replacement to pickup repairs or installation - we've got you covered. Most pickup installs in guitars that did not come equipped from the factory are $50-60. We are dealers for Fishman and Misi acoustic pickups. The Matrix Infinity is the most popular system we install. ($150, plus $60 installation) No need for a big hole in the side of your guitar - the Matrix Infinity hides inside and has controls in the soundhole.
Custom woodworking, routing, and other modifications... Just ask. We've probably done it before. If not, we'd probably be excited to try something new. In this photo, Hugh is cutting an EQ box into the side of a guitar.
We do broken headstock and neck repairs all the time. Filling or drilling holes, custom tuners, fixing torn out strap buttons and strap locks (so they never come out again!), etc...
Any Questions? Give us a call at 714-596-5050 and we'll help you out.
Don't feel overwhelmed if you don't know the proper terms, etc...
We're here to help.
