One bench, off Charlotte Avenue
There are nine instruments ahead of yours. Here they are.
Most repair shops answer “how long will it take” with a number they have guessed. This one publishes the rack instead: what is on the bench now, what is waiting, and what is sitting in a clamp doing nothing but drying.
Every instrument gets one of these. Nothing on it is filled in after the work — the number is agreed before a tool is picked up.

The bench, this morning.
5 instruments not yet started. Updated when something moves, which is most days.
Ready
2 instruments- 1177Twelve stringRefret, bridge reglueIn 22 Jul
- 1181Tenor banjoHead and setupIn 1 Aug
Finishing
2 instruments- 1179Archtop, carved, 1950sCrack repair, two seamsIn 29 Jul
- 1186Five string banjoFret level, new nutIn 8 Aug
On the bench
1 instrument- 1184Flat-top six string, 1970sNeck reset and refretIn 6 Aug
Quoted
2 instruments- 1191Student dreadnoughtSetupIn 13 Aug
- 1192F-style mandolinBridge fit, setupIn 13 Aug
Waiting
3 instruments- 1193Solid body, offsetRewire, new pots and jackIn 14 Aug
- 1194Upright bass, laminateFingerboard dressIn 15 Aug
- 1195Parlour six string, pre-warAssessment onlyIn 15 Aug
Priced in hours as well as dollars.
Because the hours are what decide your wait, and because a shop that only shows you a price is asking you to take the time on faith.
All the bench work- Setup
- 1.5 h
- $95
- Fret level, crown, polish
- 3 h
- $220
- Refret
- 8 h
- $520
- Nut, cut from bone
- 1.5 h
- $110
- Saddle, cut from bone
- 1 h
- $85
Intake is by appointment, so the instrument gets looked at properly rather than left on a counter.
Ring (615) 555-0116 or send the form. Shipped instruments do not need an appointment, only slack strings and a hard case.
Describe the job