From Pandemic Project to Precision Repair

I started Lux Luthier LLC during lockdown, fixing and refining instruments for friends and local players. That hobby grew into a focused repair studio delivering clean setups, smart upgrades, solid structural fixes, and tasteful cosmetic work. I work on acoustics, electrics, and basses—with the goal of making your guitar play better than it did when it left the factory.

Setups Electronics Structural Repairs Upgrades Cosmetic/Relic Case Repair

Player-First Results

Setup isn’t just measurements—it’s how you play. Each job is tailored to your string gauge, tuning, and touch for stable tuning, clean intonation, and comfortable action.

Smart Upgrades

Bone or Tusq nut/saddle, fret polishing, quality tuners, clean wiring, and the right pickups can transform a good instrument into a great one—without overspending.

Clean Work, Clear Quotes

Transparent pricing, clear scopes, and tidy bench work. Bench evaluations apply when diagnosis or troubleshooting is the main purpose of the visit; larger structural or finish work is quoted per job.

Recent Work

A few examples of recent builds, repairs, and restorations from the Lux Luthier bench.

Custom Telecaster build with relic nitro finish on the bench — Custom Telecaster build — multi-stage nitro relic finish.

Custom Jazzmaster build with upgraded hardware and wiring — Custom Jazzmaster build — upgraded hardware & clean wiring.

Aspen acoustic guitar in clamps during restoration — Aspen dreadnought — neck reset, headstock repair, and bridge reglue.

Taylor 114ce acoustic top crack repair in progress — Taylor 114ce — controlled humidification and internal cleats.

Martin D-15M side puncture repair with new mahogany patch — Martin D-15M — puncture repair and finish restoration.

Vintage parlor guitar with new hand-carved bridge — Vintage parlor — hand-carved bridge, bone nut, and full setup.

Repairs & Pricing

Typical rates are below. Final pricing depends on the instrument, hardware, and scope of work. Repair pricing is based on the work required, not the market value of the instrument. If the repair cost may exceed the value of a lower-cost instrument, I will explain the options clearly before proceeding.

Bench evaluation / initial inspection applies when diagnosis, troubleshooting, or an estimate is the main purpose of the visit. It is applied toward approved repair work. Straightforward booked services, such as a standard setup or restring, are billed at the listed service price without an added bench fee.

Service	Starting Cost
Bench Evaluation / Initial Inspection	$35, applied toward approved repair work
Restring (electric/acoustic/bass)	$25 + strings
Standard Setup (truss, action, intonation)	$80
Mandolin Setup	$90
Restring + Setup	$95 + strings
Setup w/ Tremolo or 12-string	$95+
Setup w/ Floyd-style bridge	$120+
Nut or Saddle (Bone/Tusq)	from $85 + setup if needed
Tuner install/upgrade	$50–$75 + parts
Pickup install/upgrade	$80/hr (¼-hr min.) + parts
Electronics (pots, switches, wiring)	$80/hr (¼-hr min.) + parts
Cracks / body / bridge repairs	Quoted per job
Hollowbody & trapeze bridge work	Quoted per job
Finish/cosmetic work	Quoted per job
Pickguard replace/fabricate	$60–$120 + parts/materials
Case repairs	Quoted per job
Full restoration	Custom estimate

Playability & Setups

Truss rod, action, nut slot depth, saddle height, relief, and intonation adjustments for better playability and tuning stability.

Standard setup $80
Mandolin setup $90
Restring + setup $95 + strings
Setup w/ tremolo or 12-string $95+
Setup w/ Floyd-style bridge $120+
Restring only $25 + strings

Nut, Saddle & Hardware

Bone/Tusq nut or saddle, fitted from $85 + setup if needed
Tuner install/upgrade $50–$75 + parts
Bridge repairs / lifted bridge fix quoted
Trapeze bridge upgrades (hollowbody) quoted

Electronics

Pickups, pots, switches, jacks, preamps, hum/buzz mitigation.

Pickup install/upgrade $80/hr + parts
Troubleshoot hum/buzz & rewire $80/hr + parts
Harness cleanup, shielding $80/hr + parts

Structural & Body

Cracks, braces, loose bridges quoted
Hollowbody structural work quoted
Pickguard replacement/fabrication $60–$120 + parts/materials

Cosmetic & Restoration

Buckle rash/finish touch-ups quoted
Relicing (tasteful aging) quoted
Full restoration custom estimate

Case Repairs

Latches/hinges, lining, shell fixes quoted

Thinking About Upgrades?

Use the free Guitar Upgrade Assistant GPT to explore upgrade options, parts compatibility, and ballpark costs — then I can handle the install and setup at Lux Luthier LLC.