Many players find that changing a set of guitar strings is a tedious task and will tend to put it off. Out in the open mics and folk clubs I've come across many people wrestling with dead-sounding instruments, which also refuse to stay in tune. What a difference a new set of strings would make to these instruments! I can usually change out a set of strings in about 15 minutes. Bring your instrument round and I'll do it while you wait (call first). If you smile I might even make you a cup of tea! I prefer Elixir strings, because they retain their tone for ages, but they are a bit expensive. If you have a preferred type of string I should be able to get them for you.
Instrument Setups
Action If your instrument feels difficult to play, it could benefit from an action adjustment. The strings are too far from the fretboard and you have to use excessive force to press them down onto the frets. I can perform action adjustments on electric and acoustic guitars and similar instruments. This includes setting neck relief with truss rod adjustments, saddle height and nut slot adjustments. Intonation If your instrument appears to be in tune when played in one area of the fretboard, but out of tune in other areas, then it probably has bad intonation. I can perform intonation adjustments on instruments that allow it. This is usually the case on electric guitars and basses, which tend to have fully adjustable saddles. On acoustic instruments, major adjustments can only be achieved by moving the entire bridge, which is a major operation. However minor intonation issues can be alleviated with a change of string gauge, suitably low action and the use of a compensated saddle.
Fret Maintenance
If your guitar cannot be adjusted to give a nice playable action without excessive fret buzz, then the cause is probably frets which are worn or were badly installed and finished in the first place. It is possible to buy guitars (especially electric guitars) very cheaply, but one of the things that manufacturers skimp on to keep prices down is fret finishing. I am able to resolve most fretting problems either by filing and crowning individual frets, or levelling the frets over the whole fretboard. These tasks, although they are time consuming, can make a huge difference to an instrument.
Repairs
This is a bit of an open ended subject, but I can perform all sorts of minor repairs. For example.....
Got an irritating buzz or vibration? These can have a myriad of sources; fret buzzes, loose hardware, piezo pickups under badly fitted saddles, wiring problems, shielding problems, I've even seen a fretboard that was coming unglued from its neck!
Have you had a strap button rip out your guitar body when you got a bit carried away with your star-jumps?
Top nut come loose?
Jack socket come loose and rattling around inside?
Electrical problems - there are a myriad of problems related to pickup systems and all the related wiring. Broken wires, worn out switches, other failed components. These issues are usually easier to fix on solid body electric instruments as all the components are usually discrete. On acoustic instruments it is often necessary to replace the whole pickup system or large parts of it.
Modifications
I can perform various minor modifications, particularly hardware and electrical modifications. For example......
Strap button, tuner and bridge replacements
Pickup replacements and installations on solid body electric instruments
Wiring, pickup switching and control modifications on electric instruments
Pickup replacements and installations on acoustic instruments
I've even been known to modify FX pedals
Things I Won't Do
I'm an instrument technician, not a trained luthier. This means that there are some tasks that I do not have experience in. I'm happy to take a drill to your acoustic guitar, to install a strap button or endpin pickup jack. I'm happy to take a router to your solid body electric guitar, so that we can squeeze in that high output humbucker for you. I can't do a neck reset or a bridge move on your acoustic. I might hesitate at the prospect of invisibly gluing the broken head back onto to your Gibson. At any rate I want to be honest with my clients, so whatever work you require, please talk to me and I'll tell you honestly whether it is reasonable for me to take it on.