Fast, Affordable, Reliable!
Turn-around time for most services is under 7 days
PRICE GUIDE
Electrical Service
Get those annoying crackles and hums fixed!
from $30+ (semi-acoustic add $30)
I test that the wiring, components, and screening are all hooked-up and functioning correctly, and can remake any faulty solder joints. I will also test and clean and/or lubricate mechanical switches and volume/tone controls with specialist electrical servicing solvents. Failed components can be replaced during the service for the cost of the parts (subject to customer approval).
Re-String & Light Service
Best Value for Students/Beginners!
Guitar/Bass $50 - 12-String $60
This service includes having the fingerboard cleaned and oiled, frets-polished, and the instrument fully re-stringed with a new, matched set of your choice of strings. I stock a wide range of d'Addario Guitar Strings at $15 per set, or you may supply your own. Before being returned to you, I will also tweak the truss-rod, ensure all hardware is tightened, and give the body a final polish.
Full Set-Up
Pro-Level Optimisation of your Instrument...
Electric Instrument $120 - True Acoustic Instrument $100
This package includes all features of the Re-String, Light Service & Electrical Services as listed above, plus additional bridge height and truss-rod optimisation for ease of playability, nut height optimisation, with the nut slots being re-profiled using gauged needle-files. The tuning pegs will be serviced and lubricated, and the fingerboard given a light fret-levelling/dressing/polishing. Finally, the bridge saddles will be adjusted for super-accurate intonation utilising a strobe tuner.
Why Does A Guitar Need To Be Set Up?
Fret-Levelling plus Full Set-Up
Are certain fret-positions buzzing or not sounding? Heavy play can slowly wear pits in your fret-tops...
Guitar/Bass $220 - Ukulele or similar $120
includes the Full Set-Up services as listed above, plus... Fretboard is closely inspected, and any loose 'sprung' frets are carefully re-seated. Fret-tops are levelled until all fret-wear has been removed, and no high frets or dead spots remain. Each fret is then individually re-crowned to a fine point to ensure clarity of tone and accurate intonation, before final hand-polishing to a silky smooth finish.
Structural Repairs
Acoustic Bridgeplate Reglue - $100
Headstock Break - from $100 each (respray not included)
Crack or Split Repairs - from $50 each
New Nut or Saddle - Hand-fitted from pre-cut man-made blank $50 - Custom carved from natural Bone blank $100
Re-Fret - Rosewood $400 (Maple, bound, or set-neck add $100 each)
Hardware Upgrades & Custom Work
Bigsby Tremolo Installation - $50+
Custom Binding and Inlays - Call for a quote
Custom Pickguards/Scratchplates - $100+
Tuner/Machine Head Replacement - $50 (direct drop in)
Pickup Installation
Acoustic Piezo Undersaddle - $100+
Solid-body - 1 for $50 - 2 for $80 - 3 for $100
Archtop/Semi-Acoustic - 1 for $75 - 2 for $100
Pickguard Modification / Body Routing - $50+ per area
Please call Jon on 0490 189 765
or email: info@blackguitars.com
Clients include:
Art Brut - Bo Ningen - Lewis Boyes (Adalita/Jen Cloher) - Brand New Heavies - Deirdre Cartwright (BBC TV's Rockschool) - Cathedral - Chrome Hoof - Bryan Colechin (Hugo Race & The True Spirit) - Cornershop - CRANBOURNE MUSIC - The Dandy Warhols - The Drones - The Duke Spirit - Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey, Spiritualized, Tindersticks, Robyn Hitchcock etc.) - Matthew Fagan - Th' Faith Healers - FOALS - FOUND SOUND - Dave Graney (The Moodists / Coral Snakes / MistLY etc) - Colin Greenwood - Guillemots - HTRK - Howling Bells - James Johnston (Gallon Drunk, PJ Harvey, Dot Allison, Faust, Nick Cave etc.) - Malcolm Joseph (Grace Jones, Roxy Music) - MACARI'S MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - Magic Numbers - Ben Mandelson (Magazine, 3 Mustaphas 3) - Laura Marling - The Masonics - Thee Milkshakes - My Bloody Valentine - The Naked And Famous - Noah And The Whale - PAKENHAM MUSIC - Pete & The Pirates - The Priscillas - Pseudo Echo - RAK Recording Studios - Vince Ray - ROSE-MORRIS GUITARS - The Rumblestrips - Silverfish - Bob Spencer (The Angels, Skyhooks) - Spirogyra - Stereolab - Owen Thomas (Graham Coxon, Cee Bee Beaumont) - Stu Thomas (Kim Salmon & The Surrealists / Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes) - Kavus Torabi (Cardiacs, Gong) - Urban Voodoo Machine - Martha Wainwright - Matt Walker - Jeremy Warmsley - Wild Turkey - Steve Williams (John Farnham band) - Yuck - and many more!
FOALS' Travis Bean with damaged fingerboard, before...
...and after restoration
Custom Work
Aluminium Bridge made for Bob Spencer's custom solid-body
Hand-Carved Height-Adjustable bridges made to order - from $150
Custom-veneered celluloid pickguard for Anthony's Firebird
Custom Pickguards/Scratchplates - from $100
See more Pickguards I have made
Custom Binding and Inlays - Call for a quote
See an example of my inlay work
Fender Jaguar Switch-Lock, designed for James Johnston (PJ Harvey, Lydia Lunch etc)
See some of my other Custom Solutions
How To Find Me:
Call Jon on 0490 189 765
or email: info@blackguitars.com
Repairs to Other Stringed Instruments?
I also undertake repairs on Auto-Harps, Zithers, Double Basses, Violins, Violas, Cellos etc!
Autoharp Restored 2011
Zither Restored 2007
Double Bass Repaired 2008