Stringed Instrument Repair

Stringed Instruments produce sound through the vibration of strings. There are both orchestral and fretted string instruments. Below are stringed instrument repair services that we offer for both orchestral and fretted instruments.

Orchestral Strings

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Double Bass

Orchestral Instrument Repair

Peg Replacement, Shortening, and Refitting – As your instrument is under tension, eventually tuning pegs can strain, crack, and break. Due to this, your instrument may need a peg replacement, shortening, or refitting, depending on the state of the pegs.

Bridge Replacement, Adjusting, and Refitting – Adjusting the bridge of your instrument can have an affect on the intonation and the overall sound of the instrument.

Soundpost Replacement and Refitting – Humidity changes can cause your soundpost to be too short at certain times of year which may require having a second soundpost that is slightly longer. Occasionally, the original soundpost was not fitted properly and may require a reffiting.

Tailgut Replacement and Adjustment – Sometimes tailguts break and need to be replaced. Some may stretch over time, requiring an adjustment to be made.

String Replacement – Over time, strings can decline in sound quality (become “false”) and can weaken, resulting in strings breaking. It is important to change the strings on your instrument at least once every nine to twelve months, but frequency in replacing them increases the more you play.

Fingerboard removal, regluing, shimming, and replacement – It is possible for the fingerboard on your instrument to need repair if it cracks, warps, or becomes unglued.

Nut replacement and adjustment – Nuts can wear out over time and may need to be replaced. String gauges may require the nut be adjusted.

Neck Reset – Severe changes in neck angle may require the neck be reset.

Tonal Adjustment – Tailored adjustments toward tone can be achieved in a variety of different methods.

Bow Re-hairing and Replacement – It is important for a bow to be in good condition along with the instrument itself in order for the best sound quality and playability of the instrument. The hair eventually breaks over time requiring it to be replaced so the instrument can play properly. The bow can also be warped so severely that it needs to be replaced.

Fretted Instruments

  • Acoustic Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Mandolin
  • Ukulele
  • Banjo
  • Dulcimer

Fretted Stringed Instrument Repair

Neck and Fingerboard Cleaning – Over time, after being played consistently or sitting gathering dust, your instrument can get to a point where it needs to be cleaned. The build up of dust, sweat, finger grime, and dirt can cause damage to your fretboard if it goes without being cleaned for too long.

Minor Fret Re-crowning and Touchup – As you play your instrument, the frets can get divots from the strings which can affect the sound quality and playability. By getting the frets re-crowned and touched up, it helps brings the instrument to playing and sounding as it did new.

Fret Replacement and Refitting – Over time frets can be worn so severely or damaged to where it requires the frets be replaced.

Nut Replacement and Adjustment – Nuts, located at the end of the fingerboard, control many aspects of a fretted stringed instrument: from string spacing, the distance from the fingerboard, and the height above the first fret. The location of the nut is an important aspect of the instrument’s function. Sometimes, nuts need to be replaced due to damage or simply wear and tear over time.

Neck Reset and Adjustment – Most fretted instruments have adjustments for the neck that will change due to humidity and other weather changes. Some instruments change so severely over time that the neck must be removed to adjust the angle for the instrument to play properly.

Polish – Getting your instrument polished can help bring it back to a shiny new life!

String Replacement – Over time, strings can decline in sound quality and can weaken, resulting in strings breaking. It is important to change the strings on your instrument at least once every nine to twelve months, but frequency in replacing them increases the more you play.

To learn how to best care for and maintain your stringed instruments click here!