Professional Guitar Repair, Setup & Restoration in the UK | Trusted Luthier Since 1992
Expert guitar maintenance & repair services for acoustic, electric, bass & fretted instruments – delivered with precision, passion & decades of experience.
Why Choose The Guitar Doctor?
With 30+ years of professional luthiery expertise, The Guitar Doctor is Cornwall’s premier guitar repair specialist – trusted by touring musicians, vintage guitar owners and lifelong players across the UK.
The Guitar Doctor Penzance
✔ All fretted instruments welcomed: acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, ukuleles, mandolins, banjos and more.
✔ Precision repairs & setups: from minor adjustments to full restorations.
✔ Competitive pricing & guaranteed workmanship.
✔ Personalised service: diagnosis & quote before any work begins.
✔ Mail-in service available from anywhere in the UK.
Our Expert Services
🎸 Guitar Setups & Playability Optimization
Struggling with buzzing strings, poor intonation or uncomfortable action? Get a custom setup tailored to your style & preferences – from stage performance to home practice.
🔧 Fret Work & Structural Repairs
Fret wear, levelling, crown & polish, re-fretting or neck resets – all carried out with meticulous craftsmanship.
🎨 Restorations & Cosmetic Repairs
Bring vintage guitars back to life with colour matched repairs, refinishing and structural tightening that preserve tone and value.
🔌 Electronics & Hardware Fixes
Scratchy pots, faulty switches, loose jacks – upgraded components and wiring services get your guitar sounding clean and reliable again.
📦 UK Wide Shipping & Mailing Support
Not local to Cornwall? No problem – simply ship your instrument securely and we’ll take care of the rest.
Trusted by Musicians Nationwide
From everyday players to vintage instrument owners, our personalised approach and decades of practical experience mean every instrument gets the care it deserves.
The Guitar Doctor Penzance
📞 Call us to discuss your guitar today:
01736 332584 | 07812 178469
For repairs, setups, quotes & advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of instruments do you repair?
We service all fretted stringed instruments including acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars, ukuleles, mandolins, banjos, bouzouki and dulcimers – fretless or fretted.
Do you offer guitar setups for different playing styles?
Yes. We tailor each setup to the player’s preference – whether you want vintage-style action, low action for shredding, or anything in between.
Can I send my guitar from outside Cornwall or the UK?
Absolutely! We accept guitars by post or courier from anywhere in the UK. Contact us before sending your instrument to ensure correct packing and shipping.
How long does a typical repair take?
Turnaround times vary by job – simple setups can be quick, while full restorations take longer. Expect anything between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on complexity and workload.
Do you provide quotes before starting any work?
Yes. We’ll first talk through your instrument’s issues and then provide a no-obligation quote before any work begins.
What happens if my guitar was damaged in shipping?
You must pack your guitar properly and insure it – we’re not liable for transit damage. We can advise on best packaging practices to protect your instrument.
What brands or makes do you specialise in?
We work on all major brands and custom instruments. Whether it’s a Gibson, Fender, Martin, Taylor or handmade luthier guitar, we tailor our expertise to the instrument’s needs.
Do you sell guitar parts and accessories?
Yes – we stock a range of guitar strings and accessories in our online shop, perfect for setups or replacements.
Electric Guitar Fault Finder (EGFF) © 2018 TGD
Buzz? Fizz? Unwanted noises?
- Buzzing can be caused by a variety of factors; fret wear, loose frets, high or low frets, my diagnosis will fix that buzz and get you back playing again.
- Lack of ‘fall away’ (where the tongue/part of fingerboard attached to body) ramps up instead of ‘away from the strings’ and causes a buzz from frets near 9 – 12 and upwards
- Truss rod adjustment, the frets may be visually ok, but the neck is either too concave (forward bow, resulting in buzzing around frets 5-8) or convex (back bow, resulting in open to first 5 positions buzzing). This can usually be carried out while you wait if not part of a fret job :-)
- Twisted neck or a hump present.
Contact The Guitar Doctor to discuss the options.
Rattle at nut? Strings going out of tune?
- Worn slots will cause strings to buzz, slots not cut to correct depth will cause tuning issues
- Adjustments for incorrect string size
- Proportional string spacing
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your instrument in for repair.
Tuning issues
- Worn tuning heads, loose/damaged parts, often the tuners are not at fault though!
- Old/worn or cheap units not great for tuning stability.
- Tuners are only one link in the chain of tuning stability, so call to discuss :-)
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your instrument in for repair.
Broken Jack and Hum
- Wiring/earthing issue
- Worn output jack, have a decent Switchcraft one installed
- Shorting out on shielded cavity
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your instrument in for repair.
Noisy Switch
- Wiring/earthing issue
- Switch worn or dirty
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your instrument in for repair.
Finish scuffs, marks, dents and dings.
Some can be sorted, some not without a complete re-finish due to complicated methods required.
Give me a call to discuss your options as fixing this sort of damage is different for each instrument.
- Pickups not to your style or tone satisfaction? Bare Knuckle, Seymour Duncan, Lindy Fralin, Kent Armstrong et al; a single pickup or set for all budgets. Research yourself or call for a chat and we can choose the right pup(s) for you :-)
Truss Rod.
Seized? Not performing? Lo and behold snapped?
Call for options and a quote.
Potentiometers (pots) scratchy?
A service to the electronics should ideally be carried out annually. Usually carbon deposits or other debris cause the crackle and scratchy noise. Cleaned or replaced at the Guitar Doctor.
See price list.
Bridge/tremolo/vibrato unit problems.
All can be fixed, call for a chat!
Acoustic Guitar Fault Finder (AGFF) © 2018 TGD
Buzz? Fizz? Unwanted noises?
- Buzzing can be caused by a variety of factors; fret wear, loose frets, high or low frets, my diagnosis will fix that buzz and get you back playing again.
- Lack of ‘fall away’ (where the tongue/part of fingerboard attached to body) ramps up instead of ‘away from the strings’ and causes a buzz from frets near 9 – 12 and upwards
- Truss rod adjustment, the frets may be visually ok, but the neck is either too concave (forward bow, resulting in buzzing around frets 5-8) or convex (back bow, resulting in open to first 5 positions buzzing). This can usually be carried out while you wait if not part of a fret job :-)
- Twisted neck or a hump present.
Contact The Guitar Doctor to discuss the options.
Rattle at nut? Strings going out of tune?
- Worn slots will cause strings to buzz, slots not cut to correct depth will cause tuning issues
- Adjustments for incorrect string size
- Proportional string spacing
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your instrument in for repair.
Tuning issues
- Worn tuning heads, loose/damaged parts, often the tuners are not at fault though!
- Old/worn or cheap units not great for tuning stability.
- Tuners are only one link in the chain of tuning stability, so call to discuss :-)
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your instrument in for repair.
Acoustic Electrics
Do you require the best live sound? The Guitar Doctor can supply and fit the best pickup systems to most acoustic instruments; guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, bouzouki et al.
Pickups and pre-amps from the likes of K and K Sound, Lr Baggs, Fishman, McIntyre, Artec et al available to supply and fit.
Installation from £40.
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your fitting.
Bridge, bridge plate and internal struts and bracing
Over time many acoustic guitars can suffer from bellying of the top, loose struts and bracing. This can have a devastating affect if left or not repaired correctly.
Contact The Guitar Doctor to book your instrument in for repair.
Body damage
Slip up in the pub or smashed due to frustration?! I can fix this. Sometimes not all repairs will be visually perfect cosmetically however. This depends on the severity of damage. Structurally however it will be. A solid structure is crucial for a perfect setup for your playing style.
Give me a call to discuss your options.
Head breaks; A separation, ‘matchstick’ break or sloped break? A simple glue up to cheaper instruments, and the added peace of mind of strengthening ‘splines’ to the join and a re-finish will soon have it back up and running. On average, I see 1 – 2 a month at least! Check out the gallery.
Each instrument then setup for optimum playability.
Call for a quote.
- Lack of ‘fall away’ (where the tongue/part of fingerboard attached to body) ramps up instead of ‘away from the strings’ and causes a buzz from frets near 9 – 12 and upwards. Often the reason is the different rates a hardwood glued to a softwood expands or contracts. This all repairable
- Loose tongue
Call to discuss