Calgary's Premier Guitar Repair Shop - Expert Musical Instrument Services

With more than 20 years of expertise, Guitar OR provides a comprehensive range of services—whether you need a simple tune-up, or a full restoration of a custom guitar.

Our Services

  • Set ups
  • Fretwork
  • Modifications
  • Structural Wood Repair
  • Crack repair
  • Neck resets
  • Refrets
  • Headstock repairs
  • Acoustic pickup installs
  • Electric pickup installs
  • Pot and switch replacement
  • String changes and Tuning
  • Insurance assessments

How often does a guitar need maintenance?

In Calgary, guitar repair shop visits to keep your guitar in perfect shape are a must. Since most guitars are made out of wood, the weather and humidity fluctuations in our climate can wreak havoc.  Any new guitar should be professionally set up before use and checked out seasonally to see if adjustments would help its tone/playability.

What does a guitar service include?

At a minimum the scope-of-work will include an overall inspection, new strings, tuning, intonation, fret board cleaning/oiling and detailing. It often includes adjusting truss rod (neck), pickup heights/angles, string action, string radius, saddle heights, bridge angle (floating trems), cleaning electronics and tightening loose jacks, knobs, tuners, etc.

What instruments do you work on?

We work on guitars, basses, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, auto harps, ouds, upright basses,  such as Gibson, Fender, Martin, Taylor, Larrivee, Collings, Santa Cruz, G&L, Duesenberg, Gretsch, Guild, Jackson, Charvel, Ibanez, Ernie Ball, National, Hofner, Seagull, Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Harmony, Sigma, Yamaki, Yairi, Hagstrom, Squire and many more.

What are your turnaround times?

Some adjustments and small jobs can happen while you wait. Setups,  fret levels and some other jobs typically take one to two weeks. Complex jobs can take 4-8 weeks. Extensive restorations and building projects have custom timelines. As supporters of the Calgary music scene, we can typically get a rush completed for professional musicians.

What are some standard prices?

  • Setups: Guitars and basses: $115 plus strings, guitars with Floyd Roses can have some extra charge.
  • Fret Levelling:  Typically $115 but can vary depending on time spent.  
  • Input jack replacement: $20 plus jack for standards. Barrel, stereo and others are $30-$50 plus jack
  • Basic Restringing and Cleaning:  $45 plus strings.  12 string guitars, classical guitars and mandolins will be more.
  • Acoustic guitar pickup install: From $125, pickup cost is separate
  • Broken headstock: From $200 including restringing
  • Finish Repairs:  Starting at $150 per repair
  • Custom Projects (e.g., original designs , non-standard work): $100/hour

How much do you charge for assessments/do I need an appointment?

There is no charge for assessing your instrument and can usually be done when you arrive. No appointments are needed. You are welcome to come anytime during shop hours.

What if I need an adjustment after picking up my repair?

We invite you to play your instrument when picking it up to see if it might need a tweak for your style.  Adjustments are also free for 30 days after pickup.

How often should you restring a guitar?

If you play hard or play often, then change them about every 3 to 4 months. If you don’t play that hard and don’t play that regularly then change them about every 6 months. Some gigging musicians will change them almost every day.

How do I know if my guitar needs a service?

There can be a wide array of issues that are in need of service.  However most clients find that the string height is too high, making it harder to play, or too low/uneven frets which will cause the strings to buzz. Others include electrical issues, sharp fret ends etc

What products do you recommend?  

Products are quite individual to each player, however we are happy to take the time to go over some options in regards to pickups, strings, and hardware.
As a whole, the products that we trust and work with are LR Baggs, Fishman, Seymour Duncan, Gibson, EMG, Hipshot, TV Jones, Evertune, K&K, String Butler, Grover, D’addario and  Ernie Ball.

Can a guitar be beyond repair?

Very rarely.  With enough skill and love, most issues can be resolved, keeping the guitar going for many more years.

Do you offer to finish repairs?

Yes.  If you have some damage to your instrument we can do spot touch ups.

Do you work on amps, pedals, mics, stereo equipment?

We don’t. However we share our bay with a company that does.  They are called Lextronics and have been in business for 30 years. We are also fans of the work done at Amplitude Audio.(amplitude-audio.ca)

What pickups & parts do you stock?

We stock the ones we install the most including LR Baggs Anthem SL and Element VTC, Fishman Matrix Infinity and Matrix Blend, K&K pickups like The Pure Mini, Aloha Twin(Uke) and Mandolin Twin. We also usually have a few Seymour Duncan pickups in the shop.
We carry D’addario and Ernie Ball strings, as well as Grover and Restoration tuners.
We don’t keep a lot of pickups/parts on hand. Generally we order for you individual needs. We are able to order pickups including Gibson, Lollar, Fender Custom Shop, EMG and Fishman Fluence.

Do you install Evertune Bridges?

Yes we do install Evertune Bridges.  In fact, we were the first shop in Canada to do so.