Guitar Finds — Benicia, CA

Your instrument,
restored & revived.

Expert luthier and electronics services for guitars, basses, amplifiers, and keyboards. From a quick setup to a full vintage restoration, we treat every instrument like our own.

Vintage Amp Specialists
Rush Setups Available
Plek Fretwork Available
Parts & Strings Billed Separately
The process

Drop it off,
pick it up playing better.

Three steps, no surprises. We confirm scope before touching anything extra.

01

Drop it off

Bring your instrument in and tell us what's bothering you. We'll do a quick look-over and give you an honest assessment before any work begins.

02

We confirm the scope

You'll get a quote before we start. If we find anything unexpected mid-job, we call you first — no surprise bills.

03

Pick it up

We'll let you know when it's ready. Play it in the shop before you leave — we want you walking out happy.

Services & Pricing

What we fix,
and what it costs.

All prices reflect labor only. Parts, strings, and hardware are billed separately. Final scope confirmed before any additional charges.

Setups & Maintenance

Standard RestringStandard restring and basic tuning Starting at $30
Standard SetupRestring, neck relief, action, intonation $100 + strings
Rush Standard SetupGuaranteed 3 business days or less $140 + strings
"The Works" Deep CleanPolish finish, oil fretboard, tighten hardware, clean electronics $45
Floyd Rose / Locking Trem Setup $150
Custom Bone Nut / SaddleHand-carved from blank — not plastic $150 ea
Nut & Saddle ComboSave $50 when doing both $250

Fretwork & Playability

Partial RefretFocus on worn areas or "cowboy chord" zone $185 + $25/fret
Fretless Bass Conversion $500
Fret Sprout / Sharp Fret Ends $45
Basic Fret Level & Dress $190
Plek-assisted Fret LevelSent out for Plek service From $355
Stainless Steel Refret $720
Plek-assisted RefretSent out for Plek service From $600

Electronics & Mods

Basic Wiring RepairSimple fixes — cold joints, loose connections $30
Pickup Installation (1st) $60
Each Additional Pickup $25
Shielding CavityCopper tape/paint to eliminate hum $125
Treble Bleed Modification $55
Hollowbody Wiring HarnessFull removal and re-install $350+
Pot / Jack Replacement $65 / $45
Pedal Repair / DiagnosticsBench fee, excluding parts $50

Structural & Cosmetic

Headstock Break Repair $175 – $350+
Neck Reset (Acoustic) $300 – $800
Drop Fills / Ding Repair $30/in (1" min)
Lifting Bridge Re-glue From $200
Amp & Keyboard

Electronics bench services

Guitar Amplifier Repair

We specialize in tube amp maintenance and vintage restoration — from classic Fenders to obscure oddities.

$100 bench / diagnostic fee
$100/hr labor after diagnostic

Keyboard & Synthesizer Repair

Professional service for synths, digital pianos, and vintage keyboards. We love a good mystery board.

$145 bench / diagnostic fee
$65/hr labor after diagnostic
Got Questions?

Frequently asked questions

Repairs
We handle everything guitar-related — electric, acoustic, classical, you name it. Our services extend to guitar amplifiers, effects pedals, and any fretted string instrument. Basses, mandolins, banjos — if it has strings and frets, we can work on it.
No appointment necessary — just walk in. We're happy to take a look at your instrument and talk through what it needs right then and there.
Standard setups and minor repairs are typically ready within a week. More complex work — neck resets, refrets, structural repairs — can take a few weeks to a couple of months depending on our current queue. We'll give you an honest turnaround estimate when you drop off your instrument, and we'll keep you in the loop if anything changes along the way.
Absolutely. Vintage instruments are something we're genuinely passionate about. We have deep experience with vintage guitars, amplifiers, and pedals, and we treat every piece with the care and respect it deserves. Whether it's a '50s lap steel or a '60s hollowbody, it's in good hands here.
Yes — we work on most fretted string instruments, including basses, mandolins, and banjos. If it has strings and frets, there's a good chance we can help. Bring it in and we'll take a look.
If you have an upcoming show or tour, let us know upfront. We understand that gigs don't wait, and we'll do our best to accommodate time-sensitive repairs. Rush jobs carry an additional fee, which we'll discuss with you at drop-off.
We examine your instrument first and provide a clear, itemized quote before any work begins. Our pricing is posted online as a general reference, but every repair is unique — we'll walk you through what's needed and make sure it makes sense for your instrument and budget.
No charge for estimates. Bring your instrument in and we'll assess it at no cost to you. You'll receive a clear quote before we touch a thing.
We don't provide quotes remotely. Every instrument is different, and an accurate assessment requires us to see it in person. Bring it by and we'll give you a thorough evaluation on the spot — no surprises.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, cash, and Apple Pay. Payment is collected at pickup once the work is complete. We also accept gold, silver, and platinum — though we'd recommend calling ahead if you're planning to go that route.
Visiting the Store
We are open to the public — no appointment needed. Our hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11am to 5pm, and Saturday from 12pm to 5pm. We're closed Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
We're open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11am – 5pm, and Saturday from 12pm – 5pm. We're closed Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Walk-ins are always welcome during business hours.
Yes — free parking is available at the historic Benicia Arsenal. Pull in, park up, and bring your guitar.
Shop Policies

The legal stuff

We keep it simple and transparent. Here's what you need to know before dropping off.

Estimates & quotes

All jobs are subject to change — prices are a guide. Final scope is agreed upon before any additional charges are added to a quote.

Parts & strings

Prices reflect labor only. Parts and strings are extra. Customer-supplied parts must be approved prior to drop-off.

Hollowbody surcharge

Due to high complexity, a 50% labor surcharge applies to electronic work (pots, switches, jacks) performed on hollowbody instruments.

Storage & abandonment

Items must be picked up within 14 days of completion. After 14 days, a $5/day storage fee applies. Items left over 60 days become property of the shop.

Biohazard fee

A $75 cleaning fee applies to instruments with excessive dirt, grime, or biohazardous materials to ensure safe handling for our techs.

Warranty

We stand behind our craft. Setups and wood repairs are subject to seasonal shifts and carry no long-term warranty or liability.

Ready to bring it in?

Stop by our Benicia shop or give us a call to discuss your repair.

Contact Us