Peekamoose - Repair FAQs

How much will it cost to repair my guitar?
How long will it take to repair my guitar?
What is the turn time on a setup?
What does a setup include?
Is my guitar worth repairing?
I've been adjusting my guitar(s) for years without any problems. But lately, there is a buzz, an intonation problem,or (insert problem here) that I can't repair. Can you fix it?
Can you adjust my instrument while I wait?

Q. How much will it cost to Repair my guitar?

A. Many jobs bill at a flat rate and some on a $75 per hour rate.
We must evaluate the instrument to make an effective and accurate estimate.

We receive a lot of phone and e-mail inquiries regarding job pricing based on the owner's diagnosis. We can make phone & e-mail blind estimates, but this method is flawed in a way that usually hits the owner hardest. Who made the diagnosis the estimate was based on? Not us... Asking any professional to make a repair cost projection without doing a hands on evaluation is at best problematic. We can quote the base rates for some types of repairs. But that does not guaranty this will be the best or most cost effective solution. Almost any given symptom (buzzing, high action, doesn't hold tune) can be caused by a number of things. The only way we can be sure what the problem is and what the correct solution will be; is to evaluate the instrument first hand. Top

Q. How long will it take to repair my guitar?

A. The general turnaround on a setup or other light repairs is 5 working days. Often it is faster.
A. Plek G& P (fret dress) is 5 days.
A. Re-Fret & Plek on plain boards average 14 work days.
A. Re-Fret & Plek on lacquered boards, with a gloss finish average 3-4 weeks.

All turn times are approximate and can be affected by the following factors:
• How many similar jobs are currently in the shop.
• A job presents unexpected issues that take longer to resolve.
• Availability of parts.
• On finishing work: The weather can be a factor.
• An unexpected high volume of traffic: Meaning how many interruptions (phone calls etc) we get during a day or series of days.

This is a very generic overview of things. Once we see an instrument we can be specific about cost and time.Top

Q. What is the turn around time on a setup?

A. Usually four or five working days.Top

Q. What does a setup include?

A. See the Setup FAQ Top

Q. Is my guitar worth repairing?

A. Ask yourself the following questions:
1) Do you like the instrument? (Neck profile / Balance / Body fit [your body] / Vibe)
2) Has the instrument proven it's stability over the time you've had it? (is it constantly in the shop)
3) Do you have an emotional attachment to the instrument?
4) Can you go out and buy something that you like better for the same price as the repair?

An instrument which has served reliably a number of years is usually worth resurrection. Especially if it hasn't needed a lot of adjustments to keep it in playing shape. Seasonal adjustments or maintenance to off set wear and tear are to be expected. If your axe goes out of adjustment every time you look at it cross eyed, it may time to roll it over. But before you make a hasty decision, let us evaluate it. There may be an explanation and correction for the instability.

With instruments that are stable but need a lot of work, a repair may cost as much, or more than it's purchase price. This can be especially true if you've owned an instrument for a long time or bought it second hand. The counter balance is you may not be able to replace it with something you like as much for the cost of the repair. And more importantly you can't put a price on stability. Having an instrument that is totally stable and then tweaking it out is an ideal situation for most players. Plus, there is no question having custom work done for: frets, wiring, hardware upgrades, etc will be more satisfying than production grade work on a new factory made instrument.

If you have an emotional attachment to the instrument (it was your first guitar/your Mom or Dad's guitar/ etc); The next question is should you make it a player or a wall decoration. If the instrument is going to be a player, put the work in and have it made right. If it's going to be art, let's clean it up, make sure it won't fall apart, and find a way you can safely display it to avoid accidental damage. Top

Q. I've been adjusting my own guitar for years without any problems but lately there is a buzz / an intonation problem that I can't get rid of can I'm sure it's something small. Can you fix it?

A. In most cases yes. But the problem may not be small. If it was you'd probably have fixed it yourself. See the Setup FAQ for more on this. Top

Q. Can you adjust my instrument while I wait?

A. Generally, no. There are several reasons. Most of them revolve around the premise that we want to return your instrument in as stable and reliable state as possible. To accomplish this, we test an instrument over a few days to make sure it's staying where we put it. Or if this is an electronic problem we want to take the time to fully diagnose the situation and make the best repair.

However there are some exceptions. If we've worked on your instrument recently, it's possible a small adjustment will do the trick and can be done while you wait. Or, if a small repair would only take five or ten minutes, we have a free bench, and no preexisting deadline will be affected we will try to accommodate a player's emergency.

If this is the first time an instrument is at Peekamoose, we recommend you consider letting us spend the extra time to fully evaluate an instrument's strengths and weaknesses. This involves doing a series of adjustments, inspections, and tests, it takes a little extra time, but you will end up with a far better understanding of where your axe is at. Better to know if there is a weakness that could fail and handle it in advance than discover something at a gig. Top