The Guitar Lab

Here at Modern Musician we boast highly skilled & experienced guitar & fretted instrument repair technicians, covering everything from simple restrings, hardware retrofits, complex wiring modifications to minor fretwork.

Give us a call on (03) 6234 5537 or email us at team@modernmusician.com.au to discuss your needs and book your guitar in for a service today.

IMPORTANT: In order to care for and service your instrument in a way that meets our professional standards, we reserve the right to refuse instruments delivered without a case or gig bag. Instruments delivered without a case or gig bag can be easily scratched or damaged, and we often don't have space on our racks to store them while they wait to be serviced.

Basic Restring Service

Pricing: $49.50 + Your Choice Of Strings

Our basic restring service includes replacing existing strings with similar gauge new strings. Service does not include truss rod or any other adjustments.

Due to the nature of the beast, basic restring service is not offered for instruments with complex or double locking systems.

The restringing process is a simple one, usually only 3 or 4 steps depending on individual requirements.

  • Remove old strings,

  • Oil fingerboard (if applicable)

  • Install new strings

  • Tune to pitch

Please note: The above pricing applies for basic 'like-for-like' restrings only. If a guitar requires any setup work due to changing string gauges, or if a guitar is presented without strings and the previously used gauge is unknown, it will need to be booked in as a setup.

Basic Setup

Pricing: Starting from $99 + Your Choice Of Strings

  • Electric Bass 4/5 String: From $99 + Strings 

  • Electric 6/7 String Guitars With Hardtail Bridge: From $132 + Strings

  • Electric 6/7 String Guitars Trem/Floating Bridge: From $132 + Strings

  • Acoustic 6 String Guitars: From $99 + Strings

  • Acoustic Taylor w/ Neck Reset: From $132 + Strings

  • Acoustic 12 String Guitars: From $132 + Strings

  • Acoustic Nylon Guitar: From $99 + Strings

Our setup work is fractions-of-a-millimeter perfect, and every setup includes a record of your vital measurements for future reference.

Our Basic Setup includes the following:

  • Setup with the gauge and to the tuning of your preference.

  • String replacement and tuned to pitch 

  • Fretboard clean & condition or polish 

  • Fret buffing

  • Truss rod adjustments

  • Machine head service/lubrication

  • De-burring saddles

  • Bridge/saddle radius correction 

  • Action and intonation adjustment

  • Nut slot correction - recutting/correcting for string gauges and tuning stability

  • Tremolo balancing on equipped guitars 

  • Pickup balance adjustment

  • Electronic service (clean/flush)

  • Body clean and hand polish (on gloss instruments) 

Please note: No Fretwork other than polishing is included in this service option, if levelling of 1 or 2 frets is required, this will incur additional fees. More than 1 or 2 frets will be charged as a Deluxe Setup. 

Deluxe Setup with Fret Dress

Pricing: $99 Base Rate + Applicable Basic Setup Service Fee + Strings

  • Electric Bass 4/5 String: From $198 + Strings 

  • Electric 6/7 String Guitars With Hardtail Bridge: From $231 + Strings

  • Electric 6/7 String Guitars Trem/Floating Bridge: From $231+ Strings

  • Acoustic 6 String Guitars: From $198 + Strings

  • Acoustic Taylor w/ Neck Reset: From $231 + Strings

  • Acoustic 12 String Guitars: From $231 + Strings

  • Acoustic Nylon Guitar: From $198 + Strings

Our Deluxe Setup includes the following:

  • Everything included in the Basic Setup (listed above)

  • Full fret leveling

  • Fret radius correction to match fretboard

  • Fret re-crowning

  • Fret polishing

Ultimate Service & Setup

Pricing: $396 + Your Choice Of Strings

Our premium guitar service, for those of you who really want to show your axe some well-deserved TLC. The Ultimate Service & Setup includes everything you get from our Basic and Deluxe Setups, plus a full dismantling of your instrument for a thorough deep clean, service, and re-assembly before it receives the full setup treatment. This service is designed for the discerning player who wants to get the absolute most out of their instrument's performance capabilities. Most replacement parts can be installed during this service at no extra fee (other than cost of parts).

Other Guitar Services

Nut Installation
This service includes a full basic setup as is required with a new nut installation.

  • Acoustic 6 string - $198 + Strings + Nut Material 

  • Acoustic 12 String - $231 + Strings + Nut Material 

  • Electric Bass 4/5 - Strings $198 + Strings + Nut Material 

  • Electric 6/7 String Guitars - $231 + Strings + Nut Material 

Bone or TUSQ, cut and polished to suit your guitar.  

Pickup Installation

  • Direct Drop-In Replacements for Solid Body Guitars: From $66 per pickup + Your Choice Of Strings

  • Direct Drop-In Replacement Set (e.g H/H) for Solid Body Guitars $99 + Your Choice Of Strings

  • Direct Drop-In Replacement Set for Strat Style (H/S/S or S/S/S) $132 + Your Choice Of Strings 

  • Direct Drop-In Replacements for Semi/Hollow Body Guitars: From $99 + Your Choice Of Strings

Due to the nature of pickup installation work, installation of a new set of strings is required in order to remove and fit new pickups. This basic restringing service is included in the aforementioned pickup installation fee, however, you will need to pay for your new set of strings. Unfortunately, we can not reinstall your old strings after a pickup installation. If modification to your guitar is required to fit your new pickups, please contact us for a quote.

Electronic Replacements
Individual parts replaced from $33 each*
*If a pick guard needs to be removed to access electronics, a new set of strings will be required and charged accordingly (e.g $33 for single part replacement + $49.50 for restring + cost of strings and parts).

Machine Head Replacements
Direct Drop-In Replacement Set: $99 + Parts + Your Choice Of Strings 
Cost includes restring fee. If modification to your guitar is required to fit your new machine heads, please contact us for a quote.

Strap Button Replacement/Install
Direct Fit: $33 + Hardware
If Dowelling Required (worn screw holes): $66 + Hardware

Copper Shielding Installation: $132 + Materials + Your Choice Of Strings
Full cavity shielding including basic restring service.

Additional Hardware Replacement/Installations: From $33 + Parts
If the above information doesn't quite answer your questions, please contact us for a quote and/or more information.


We offer a range of other services including but not limited to:

  • Custom Wiring

  • Modified Hardware Installations

  • Pickguard Installation

  • Acoustic Bridge Repair

  • Guitar Preamp Repairs/Replacements and more…

An Hourly rate of $99 charged in 20-minute increments is applicable to most jobs.

We proudly stock the finest components available, including:

  • Jacks by Switchcraft

  • Potentiometers by CTS & Bourns

  • Orange Drop capacitors by Sprague

  • CRL & Oak Grigsby Blade Switches

  • Switchcraft Toggle switches

  • Pickups by DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan, EMG, Fishman, LR Baggs, K&K and more...


Priority Job Rate
We understand that sometimes you need a quick turnaround, so if you need to jump the queue, we offer our priority job rate, which will see your job become next-on-bench.

Due to the nature of this kind of work, priority jobs will be billed at double the normal rate.


No-Go Zone
Due to confined workshop space and equipment, at this time we are unable to offer the following services:

  • Wood repairs (body cracks, headstock breaks etc) or routing

  • Refretting (partial or complete)

  • Paint/lacquer/finish repairs        

Please note: Due to WHS requirements, we reserve the right to refuse any items that may pose a health risk to staff members (e.g. blood on instruments)