Stu’s Guitar Set Ups – Your Guitar, But Better…
Guitar feeling off? Get a tune up!
When Your Guitar Plays Better, So Do You!
Welcome to Stu’s Guitar Setups, I’m your local guitar care expert and guitar tech based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
I do all kinds of guitar and bass setup, repair and modification work.
Whether you’re a lifetime player or just starting out, I’m here to ensure your guitar plays at its absolute best.
With a deep passion for the craft, I treat every guitar with the care and precision I would my own, using only the highest quality tools and materials (no cheap Amazon tools that could damage your pride and joy!).
I work on electric guitars, acoustic guitars and basses – all with the utmost of care – check out some of the services I offer.
Bottom line – if I wouldn’t let something touch my guitars, it wont be touching yours …
But don’t just take my word for it – check out reviews from my customers to see how I’ve helped them 🙂
Prefer pictures? No problem, take a look at my gallery of guitar setup work (there’s some lovely instruments there!)
Is Your Guitar Holding You Back?
Struggling with poor intonation, buzzing frets, or an uncomfortable action?
These common issues can make playing frustrating and affect your performance (and make you not want to play).
Ignoring them could lead to long-term damage to your guitar, costing you a lot more in repairs down the line.
Don’t let these problems stand in the way of your musical journey.
At Stu’s Guitar Setups, I specialise in solving these issues, giving your guitar the attention it deserves.
Elevate Your Guitar’s Sound and Playability
At Stu’s Guitar Setups, I offer a range of services to enhance your guitar’s performance:
Full Setup – Fixed Bridge £60
Full Setup – Locking Trem £75
Tailored to your playing style, I’ll optimise your guitar’s action, neck relief, intonation, clean & condition fretboard & polish your frets to a mirror shine for a smooth, effortless experience.
A complete guitar setup includes truss rod adjustment, action & intonation, pickup height, fretboard clean & oil, and restring (strings not included).
I’ll also make sure all your screws are nice and tight, sort out wobbly strap locks, crackling pots and give your guitar a thorough clean and polish.
I do need to charge more for a locking trem setup (like a Floyd Rose) – if you own one, you know why!
This is my number one recommended service – your guitar WILL play SO much better after 🙂
Fret Dress (Level, Crown, Polish & Full Setup)
£90
Say goodbye to buzzing and uneven frets.
Precision fret levelling, crowning, and polishing, plus a complete setup and restring (strings not included). Ideal for removing fret buzz and restoring playability.
My meticulous fret work ensures a clean, precise, and comfortable playing experience. If your frets are buzzing or are filled with divots and dings I can make them good as new again
I’ll also polish your frets to a mirror shine 🙂
Output Jack Replacement
£30
If your output/input jack is crackling, loose and doesn’t produce a consistent connection, then your sound (and fun) takes a massive hit.
Jacks wear out over time, and when the come loose its easy for someone without the right tools to accidently pull off the internal wires when trying to tighten the socket from the outside.
I can fix broken connections, and if needed install a completely new jack in your guitar or bass.
Sharp Fret Ends Removal
£30
Uncomfortable fret ends can make playing your guitar a painful experience, especially in changing climates like ours where wood contracts and expands.
At Stu’s Guitar Setups, I carefully file and smooth sharp fret ends, ensuring your guitar neck feels as comfortable as possible.
Say goodbye to those annoying sharp edges and enjoy a smooth, effortless playing experience that keeps you focused on your music.
String Changes
£20
Fresh strings, expertly installed, ensure you get the best possible sound and longevity from your instrument.
I can supply D’Addario (electric & steel-string acoustic) or Ernie Ball (nylon/classical), or you can bring your own
Note if you are moving up a string gauge, I may need to re-cut the nut slots, which I am happy to do for a small fee.
Custom Bone Nut – Made & Fitted
£50
A new nut is one of the biggest upgrades you can give your guitar or bass. I can fit an off the shelf nut, or for a more bespoke touch, I can hand craft you a bone nut.
Hand crafted to perfection, my custom bone nuts improve sustain, tuning stability, and tone, giving your guitar a superior edge.
Includes setup check and intonation adjustment.
When I make the nuts completely from scratch – they are perfect for YOUR guitar.
Modifications
£ decided case by case
Do you want to swap out some hardware? Maybe you’d like to swap out your pickguard.
I’ve done modifications for customers covering a lot of different bases – if there’s something you’d like changed on your guitar or bass, get in touch and I’ll see if I can help.
Pickup Installation – Like-for-Like Swap
£40
Fancy trying out a new sound?
No problem, I can put in new pickups for you and make sure they are working as they should.
I’ll replace an existing pickup with the same size/type.
Includes setup check to ensure correct height and balance.
Guitar & Bass Electrical Repairs
Starting at £20
Noisy pots, loose jacks, broken switches or wiring gremlins. Quick diagnosis and fixes to get you playing again.
Examples: pot cleaning/replacement, output jack repair, loose/broken wire, switch replacement.
(Parts extra; larger jobs like rewiring quoted individually.).
Taylor Guitar neck reset
From £80
Taylor acoustic guitars have a unique bolt on neck and shim system, allowing for neck angles to easily be changed – keeping your action low over the life of the guitar.
I stock a wide range of the Taylor neck shims, and have a direct line to Taylor if different shims are required.
As part of the work I can integrate a full setup and address issues like cutting a new nut (often required after a neck reset).
Full Refret (Rosewood / Unbound)
£250
Re-fretting a guitar or bass is not to be undertaken lightly. It will change the feel of your instrument, and its not cheap either!
That said, sometimes there is no choice, when that happens I can help. BUT I will also check your instrument 1st to make sure a complete re-fret is really the answer.
Contact for pricing on bound/maple fretboards.
Please note: I do not take on all re-fret jobs*, so let’s have a chat 1st 🙂
(*if you have nibs on a Gibson for eg, I’m afraid that’s not something I will work on, unless you are prepared to lose them).
Happy Customers
Don’t take my word for it – check out some comments from my customers 🙂
My 1980’s Westone needed bringing back to life. It now not only looks amazing, it plays and sounds better than it did when it was new. What a transformation! Thank you... read more
Glen JIncredible service from a delightful man! I brought two old guitars to Stu for a string change but after chatting for a bit Stu suggested he restore them to their... read more
Art O'HaraStuart has such a great understanding of what makes a guitar sound good, as well as smart practical advice as to where improvements can be made.The work he has done... read more
Stuart CSuch a good job with my fret level and setup! Playing like new and such an efficient job, very nice guy too! Would definitely recommend 🙂
Patrick CollinsStu is super knowledgeable and completely transformed my fender strat, would 100% recommend!
Ollie HillStu repaired the electrics, lowered the action and generally cleaned up 2 vintage Aria basses. Excellent job done, great price and very friendly service. I would use him... read more
The SoulsmithsBloody hell! It’s amazing mate, thanks. So playable and feels like new [my son] is sitting up there playing it now. Really, hugely grateful.
(Job: Fret levelling + Full set up)
Scott
Great attention to detail and no “cutting corners“ – looks and feels great
(Job: Full set up)
Gavin
Wow it feels and sounds amazing – I can’t believe the sustain, even not plugged in it sounds great now!
(Job: Bone nut, Re-fret + Full set up)
Varun
It’s so easy to play now – thank you!
(Job: Full set up)
Jess
Why Choose Stu’s Guitar Setups as your guitar tech?
I understand how much your guitar means to you. After all – I know how much my guitars mean to me!
That’s why I’m committed to providing a personal, hands-on service that puts your needs first:
- Personalised Care: I treat every guitar as if it were my own, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
- Highest Quality Tools: I only use top-of-the-line tools and materials to deliver the best possible results.
- Convenient Local Service: Based in Haywards Heath, I’m ideally located to serve the surrounding areas, including Burgess Hill, Cuckfield, Lindfield, Hassocks, Balcombe, Crawley, Horsham and Brighton.
Hassle-Free Process: Simply drop off your guitar, and I’ll contact you when it’s ready for collection. Payment is made on collection, ensuring a straightforward and stress-free experience. I am also fully insured to carry out this work.
Guitar and bass set up gallery
Here’s a look at some of the instruments that I’ve setup for happy customers 🙂
Guitar Tech vs Luthier – What’s the Difference?
If you’ve been searching for a “luthier near me” or looking for a luthier in Sussex you might be wondering whether a luthier or a guitar tech is the right fit for your needs. While both professions work with guitars, the type of work they do is different.
Many people think a only luthier can set up a guitar or perform things like fretwork – however this is not the case. In fact most of the time what people actually need is a guitar tech:
- A Luthier is a craftsman who builds and repairs stringed instruments, often working on complex structural repairs, wood restoration, or custom guitar builds. Of course they can perform setup and maintenance work – but this is not the main focus of their work.
- A Guitar Tech (like me!) focuses on setups, maintenance, and adjustments that keep your guitar playing its best. Whether it’s adjusting the action, fixing intonation, curing fret buzz or giving your guitar a complete setup, a guitar tech ensures your instrument is ready to perform its best.
FAQ – Luthier or guitar tech in Sussex?
Q: Do I need a luthier or a guitar tech for my setup?
A: If your guitar needs a professional setup, adjustment, or minor repairs like fretwork or intonation correction, a guitar tech like me can handle everything for you. Luthiers are typically required for more complex repairs or custom builds (literally making a guitar from scratch), but for most guitar players needing routine maintenance, a tech is the perfect choice.
Q: Can a guitar tech improve the playability of my guitar?
A: Absolutely! A professional guitar tech will optimise your instrument for comfort, sound, and performance. From action and intonation to hardware adjustments, I ensure your guitar plays like a dream.
So if your guitar needs a professional setup, adjustments, or minor repairs, Stu’s Guitar Setups can help! Get in touch today to book your guitar setup.