A well-loved guitar can develop wear, damage, or performance issues over time, but with skilled restoration, it can be brought back to life—preserving its character while enhancing playability and appearance. Whether it’s a vintage treasure or a sentimental favorite, I offer full-service guitar restoration to make your instrument look, feel, and sound its best.
What’s Included in a Full Restoration?
- Initial Assessment:
- I’ll evaluate the guitar’s condition, identifying structural damage, worn components, or cosmetic issues.
- We’ll discuss your goals for the restoration—whether it’s a period-correct overhaul, functional upgrades, or a complete transformation.
- Structural Repairs:
- Address cracks, splits, or loose joints in the body, neck, or headstock using professional-grade adhesives and reinforcements.
- Straighten warped necks, reset loose neck joints, and repair broken bracing or binding.
- Fretboard and Frets:
- Clean, condition, and restore the fingerboard to its original luster.
- Level, dress, or replace worn frets to ensure smooth, buzz-free playability.
- Finish Restoration:
- Repair scratches, chips, and blemishes while preserving the guitar’s original finish where possible.
- Refinish the guitar with modern or vintage-style coatings (nitrocellulose lacquer or polyurethane) for a fresh yet authentic look.
- Hardware Replacement or Reconditioning:
- Clean, polish, or replace corroded hardware such as tuners, bridges, nuts, and tailpieces.
- Upgrade hardware for improved performance while maintaining the instrument’s original aesthetic (if desired).
- Electronics Overhaul:
- Repair or replace worn pots, switches, and jacks.
- Upgrade pickups or restore original ones, depending on your preferences.
- Rewire the guitar to eliminate noise or improve tonal versatility.
- Playability Enhancements:
- Adjust the action, intonation, and truss rod for optimal performance.
- Replace strings and perform a final setup tailored to your playing style.
- Cosmetic Details:
- Restore or recreate decorative elements such as inlays, pickguards, and rosettes.
- Buff and polish the guitar to a like-new sheen.
- Final Testing and Adjustment:
- After restoration, I’ll test the guitar to ensure it sounds and plays beautifully.
- Any final tweaks are made to guarantee satisfaction.
Benefits of Restoration:
- Preserves Value: Maintain or enhance the value of vintage or rare guitars with careful, period-accurate work.
- Improves Playability: A restored guitar feels and plays like new, inspiring confidence and creativity.
- Personalized Results: Tailor the restoration to your goals, whether functional upgrades or maintaining originality.
Custom Restoration Options:
- Vintage reconstructions for historically accurate restorations.
- Modern upgrades for improved tone and performance.
- Cosmetic customizations, including unique finishes or artistic designs.
Whether your guitar has been sitting in storage for years or needs a touch-up after heavy use, my restoration services will bring it back to life while respecting its history and personality. Let’s make your instrument a masterpiece again!