• 01204 522908
  • info@boothsmusic.co.uk
  • 17 Churchgate, Bolton
celebrating 193 years
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Bolton Instruments Repairs

Guitar Setups

“There is great satisfaction knowing the work you put into guitar setups or repairs will result in the player being able to expand their skills. So, let’s get your instrument set up to its optimum best.”

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Jackson Guitar Trem - Guitar Instrument Repairs
Action and intonation optimised, trem systems balanced.
Refretting and levelling on Guitar Instrument Repairs
Frets levelled, re-profiled, polished.
Acoustic on workbench, full guitar playability fulfilled.
Acoustics, full playability fulfilled.
Guitar Electronics Sorted - Instrument Repairs
Guitar electrics sorted, including pick-up upgrades.
Machineheads 1970s Jaguar
Customised replacements and aftercare.
Machine for guitar intonation - Instrument Repairs
Perfect intonation is achieved for total confidence.

Alongside general repairs, guitar setups are a vital and rewarding part of our specialist workshop at Booths Music. With decades of combined experience, our technicians take great pride in knowing that a carefully completed guitar setup allows players to perform at their very best. A properly set up guitar feels comfortable, responds accurately, and gives the player the confidence to focus on creativity rather than fighting against their instrument.

Optimise Playability with Guitar Setups

At Booths Music, every guitar setup begins with playability. We carefully assess action height, neck relief, and overall feel, ensuring the instrument is adjusted to suit the player’s style and preferences. Once playability is optimised, we move on to the finer—but equally crucial—details of professional guitar setups. These include adjusting machine head tension, setting correct pickup height, eliminating crackles or faults in electronics, and ensuring all hardware is secure and functioning correctly. These refinements work together to create an instrument that performs reliably and consistently.

Our guitar setups also include a comprehensive maintenance service. Frets are buffed and polished, fingerboards are cleaned and oiled, and new strings are fitted and pre-tensioned for stability. The guitar body is cleaned and polished, followed by a full playability check to ensure everything performs exactly as it should before the instrument is returned to you.

The Benefits of Guitar Setups

Regular guitar setups offer significant benefits. Changes in temperature, humidity, and string tension can all affect a guitar over time, leading to tuning instability, poor intonation, buzzing, or uncomfortable action. A professional guitar setup restores balance, improves tone, and reduces unnecessary strain on the hands, helping players progress more easily and enjoy playing for longer.

Recent Reviews

"I've just got my seagull S6 back .I asked for a set up as it was difficult for me to play . and all I can say is fantastic. it's now a pleasure to play instead of chore. I haven't put it down since I picked it up today.... its made my dream guitar a dream to play. thank you.."
CHRIS BOND
FACEBOOK review
"Always excellent service from excellent staff. Great info and advice and the best guitar set ups I've had! Serving us well for years and years, and here's to many more."
JOE LOMAX
Facebook Review
"Had my battered old Fender Jazz bass set up by Tony. Put my favourite Elites strings on and now it plays superbly. Used to have to do battle with it with high action and choked notes, now it plays phenomenal!!! Turned round in 2 days!!! Cheers Tony 👌"
Paul Allen
Facebook review
"Took my guitar in for a repair, god knows what had been done to it before it was given to me. New frets, and some serious rehabing later it looks great and sounds great.They even remembered to restring it for a left hander. I honestly though it was a lost cause but they proved me wrong and for less than a cheap replacement would have cost."
Emma Riddiford
Facebook Review

See also our recent Facebook and Google Reviews

Some Finer Details

Once we are happy with basic areas of playability, we delve into the crucial parts of guitar setups. These include parts that ensure overall player confidence. Attention to machine head tensions, pick up height, crackle free electrics and a general tightening down of the build all contribute to make sure your instrument will perform faultlessly. This leaves you to fill in the cleaver bits i.e. the song and the solos that the audience appreciates!

One of the most critical elements of any guitar setup is the fingerboard and fret condition. A poorly aligned fingerboard or uneven frets can cause notes to choke or sound dead, leading players to avoid certain areas of the neck. During our guitar setups, frets are carefully checked for accuracy and alignment, ensuring smooth, consistent response across the entire fretboard.

Intonation

Intonation and action height are also key factors in an instrument’s performance. Incorrect intonation can result in notes sounding out of tune as you move up the neck, while action that is too high at the nut or saddle can limit speed, dexterity, and comfort. Our guitar setups address these issues precisely, resulting in improved tuning accuracy, better tone, and a more positive playing experience.

Why Choose Booths for Guitar Setups

We have carried out guitar setups on an extensive range of instruments over the years, including electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, and other stringed instruments. No matter the style, age, or value of the instrument, we approach every guitar setup with the same attention to detail and care.

Choosing Booths Music for your repairs means trusting experienced professionals who understand both the technical and musical needs of players. Our goal is simple: to ensure your instrument works perfectly, so you can focus on what really matters—the songs, the solos, and the enjoyment of playing.

General Repairs Vs Setups

While both guitar repairs and guitar setups improve how an instrument performs, they serve different purposes. General guitar repairs address damage, faults, or missing components, such as cracks, broken necks, worn parts, or electrical issues that prevent the guitar from functioning correctly. A guitar setup, on the other hand, focuses on fine-tuning playability and performance once the instrument is structurally sound. Setups adjust action, intonation, neck relief, and overall feel to suit the player. At Booths Music, we are happy to advise whether your instrument requires general guitar repairs, a setup, or a combination of both to achieve the best possible results. See also information on general restrings. 

Instrument Repairs Enquiries

Simply enquire about an instrument repair by either phoning us on 01204 522908 or filling in the enquiry form below.

Cost of Guitar Setups

General String Change: – £20.00 (inc. vat) plus strings (Dependent on string choice).

Electric guitar setups: Fixed bridge – £60.00 (inc. vat) plus your personal string choice.

Electric guitar: Floating or locking trem system – £70.00 (inc. vat) plus your personal string choice

Acoustics – £60.00 (inc. vat) plus your personal string choice.

Bass – £60.00 (inc. vat) plus personal string choice.

Turn-around time one to three days depending on work load.

We can arrange to have your guitar picked up and redelivered for a £5.00 each way trip within the North West. Depending on workroom activity, normal turnaround is usually within three days.

We are happy to quote for any other repair or upgrade you may require to any instrument.

Instrument Collection Service

Instrument repairs with the convenience of pick-up and return.

Pickup and return days are currently the mornings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the service is available for those in Bolton and its surrounding areas. Please click below for more information.

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See Also

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