Other Services
Selborne Guitars offers a range of additional services for electric and acoustic guitars and basses.
This includes re-stringing guitars of all types, including classical guitars, 12-string guitars and guitars with Floyd-Rose tremolos; making and fitting new nuts; and cleaning and rehydrating fretboards (our fretboard care package will revive a dirty or dry fretboard and bring a shine back to dull frets!).
We also offer more specialised services such as tremolo blocking, re-seating and dressing individual frets, and a full fret dress (levelling, crowning and polishing all frets) independent of a set-up (though we would always recommend a subsequent set-up).
We can also assist with assembling, wiring and setting up kit guitars (electric only) and help you prepare your guitar for re-sale.
Typical prices*
Re-stringing | from £8 |
New nut (supplied) | £25 |
New nut (handmade) | £45 |
Fretboard care package | from £15 |
Re-seating loose or raised frets | from £10 |
Fret dressing (without setup) | from £84 |
Tremolo blocking (electric guitars) | from £49 |
Assembling, wiring and setting up kit guitars | £160 |
Preparing your guitar for re-sale | £POA |
New nut (supplied): £25
New nut (handmade): £45
Fretboard care package: from £15
Re-seating loose or raised frets: from £10
Fret dressing (without setup): from £84
Tremolo blocking (electric guitars): from £49
Assembling, wiring and setting up kit guitars (electric guitars): £160
Preparing your guitar for re-sale: £POA
* Some services incur a £10 surcharge for guitars with a Floyd Rose tremolo (or similar). Prices do not include the cost of strings or nut/nut material.
CASE STUDY
Rejuvenating a guitar for re‑sale
A client wanted to sell a guitar that hadn’t been used in a while (she had since upgraded to a lovely Baby Taylor). While the guitar was in overall excellent condition, you wouldn’t know it to look at it – it was covered in dust, the wood had dried out causing a crack in the bridge, the strings were binding in the nut slot and there was a minor dent in the headstock. Despite this, we agreed that a lot could be done to improve the instrument and maximise its resale value.
I began by repairing the crack in the bridge which, while not causing a structural problem, was a cosmetic blemish and had the potential to worsen if not dealt with. Having protected the guitar surface surrounding the bridge I carefully steamed the area to expand the wood fibres, closing the crack, and wicked thin superglue into the crack to help seal it. I then used a cabinet scraper to remove any residual glue, sanded the area and oiled the entire bridge to finish. You can see the end result in the photos.
After this, I cleaned the entire guitar, inside and out, rehydrated the fretboard and polished the dull frets back to a satisfying shine. I checked that the electronics were working as they should and then re-strung the guitar, widening the nut slots to match the string gauge ensuring that each string could pass through its slot smoothly but snugly, without being ‘squeezed’ on its way through as it was before. This vastly improved tuning stability.
We decided that attempting to repair the dent in the headstock would not be cost effective, so this remains the only imperfection on what is otherwise a guitar in excellent condition ready for a new owner!
Having returned the guitar to the client, I advised on potential re-sale value (for that model in the current market), key online marketplaces and how to protect future guitars from dryness that can cause cracking.
Key benefits
Cracked bridge repaired
Wood re-hydrated
Improved tuning stability
Full clean and fret polish
Electrics checked
Re-sale value enhanced
BEFORE
The guitar was covered
in dust and grime
BEFORE
The strings were binding in the nut slots, affecting tuning:
BEFORE
The bridge had developed
a crack from dryness
AFTER
The crack in the bridge was repaired
AFTER
Issues with the nut were rectified
AFTER
The finished article, ready for re-sale
BEFORE
The guitar was covered
in dust and grime
BEFORE
The strings were binding in the nut slots, affecting tuning:
BEFORE
The bridge had developed
a crack from dryness
AFTER
The crack in the bridge was repaired
AFTER
Issues with the nut were rectified
AFTER
The finished article, ready for re-sale
Get a quote
No job is too small for us.
Even if it’s just replacing a single string, or tuning your guitar for you, we’re keen to help. If just one or two frets need a little work to remove those sharp edges, get in touch – we won’t charge you for a full fret dress if one isn’t necessary.
Selborne Guitars is always looking to expand its offering. Even if you don’t see the service you need here, we may still be able to help and will happily provide you with a quotation.
And remember we are always here for a free, no-obligation chat about your guitar-related needs.