Guitar restringing costs $25 to $75 at most music shops, depending on the guitar type and whether you buy new strings there
A basic restring at a local music store runs $25 to $50 for an acoustic guitar and $30 to $60 for an electric. The price covers labor only—the shop removes old strings, cleans the fretboard, and installs new ones. If you buy strings from the shop during the service, you'll pay their retail price on top of labor, typically $8 to $20 for a decent set. If you bring your own strings, most shops charge the same labor fee but won't add a string cost.
High-end shops in major cities charge more—sometimes $60 to $75—and may include extras like a full setup (adjusting action and intonation) or a professional cleaning. Budget shops and some big-box retailers charge less, sometimes $15 to $25, but the work may be rushed. Chain stores like Guitar Center usually fall in the middle at $30 to $50.
The actual price depends on three things: your location, the shop's reputation, and what you're having done. A classical guitar (nylon strings) costs less to restring than a 12-string acoustic because there are fewer strings and they're easier to wind. Electric guitars are usually cheaper than acoustics because the strings are lighter and the process is faster.
Key Takeaways
- Labor for a basic restring ranges from $25 to $75, with $35 to $50 being typical at a decent local shop.
- You can bring your own strings and pay only labor, or buy strings at the shop and pay retail price on top of the labor fee.
- Acoustic guitars usually cost more to restring than electric guitars because the process takes longer and requires more tension.
- A full setup (action adjustment, intonation check, and cleaning) costs extra—usually $50 to $100 total—but is worth doing every year or two.
- Restringing yourself costs only the price of strings ($8 to $20) but requires wire cutters, a string winder, and about 20 minutes per guitar.
What's included in a basic restring
A restring service removes the old strings, cleans the fretboard and body where the strings were blocking access, and installs new strings at the correct tension. The technician winds each string onto its tuning peg, brings it up to pitch, and stretches it so it stays in tune. This takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on the guitar type and how careful the shop is.
Most shops do not adjust the action (string height), intonation (whether the guitar plays in tune up the neck), or truss rod tension as part of a basic restring. Those are separate services that cost extra. If your guitar has not been set up in a year or more, a restring is a good time to ask about a full setup, which typically costs $50 to $100 total and includes all three adjustments plus a cleaning.
Acoustic versus electric: why the price differs
Acoustic strings are thicker and under more tension, so restringing takes longer and requires more physical effort. The bridge pins (the pegs that hold the strings in place) have to be removed and reinstalled carefully, and the strings have to be stretched more aggressively to settle them. An acoustic restring usually takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Electric strings are lighter and under less tension, so the process is faster—usually 20 to 30 minutes. The strings thread through tuning pegs without bridge pins, and they settle into pitch more quickly. This speed difference is why electric restrings are typically $5 to $15 cheaper than acoustic ones at the same shop.
Classical guitars (with nylon strings) are the fastest and cheapest to restring because nylon strings are even lighter and require less tension. A classical restring might cost $20 to $40, and the work takes 15 to 25 minutes.
Buying strings versus bringing your own
If you buy strings at the shop, you'll pay retail price—usually $10 to $20 for a decent acoustic set and $8 to $15 for electric strings. The shop marks up strings like any other product. If you bring strings you bought online or elsewhere, most shops charge the same labor fee and do not add a string cost, though a few may charge a small fee ($3 to $5) for using outside strings.
Buying strings online is usually cheaper: a quality acoustic set costs $6 to $12, and electric sets run $5 to $10. If you restring every three to four months, buying online saves money over time. However, you have to order ahead and wait for delivery, so buying at the shop is more convenient if you need the work done the same day.
What affects the final price
Location matters significantly. A shop in a major city charges more than one in a small town, sometimes 50% more for the same work. Reputation also affects price: a well-known shop with experienced technicians charges more than a beginner-friendly shop or a big-box retailer. The guitar's condition can add cost too—if the strings are badly corroded or the bridge is damaged, the shop may charge extra or recommend repairs before restringing.
Some shops offer package deals: restring plus a cleaning for a flat fee, or a discount if you buy strings from them. A few high-end shops include a full setup with every restring, which justifies a higher price. Always ask what is included before you agree to the price.
Doing it yourself: cost and difficulty
Restringing a guitar yourself costs only the price of strings ($8 to $20) and takes about 20 minutes once you know how. You need wire cutters, a string winder (a hand crank tool that speeds up winding, $5 to $15), and a tuner ($10 to $30). If you already own these tools, the only cost is strings.
The process is straightforward: remove the old strings, clean the fretboard, insert new strings into the bridge or bridge pins, wind them onto the tuning pegs, and tune up. Acoustic guitars are slightly trickier because of the bridge pins, but the difference is small. Electric guitars are the easiest because the strings straightforward thread through tuning pegs.
The main risk is damaging the tuning pegs or bridge if you wind too hard or cut strings too short. If you are not confident, a $35 restring at a shop is cheaper than replacing a tuning peg ($50 to $100). But if you restring regularly, learning to do it yourself saves money and time.
When to restring and how often
Most players restring every three to six months, depending on how often they play and how quickly strings lose tone. Heavy players who practice daily might restring every two to three months. Casual players who play a few times a week can go six months or longer. Strings sound duller and feel rougher as they age, so restringing when tone noticeably drops is a good rule.
Some players restring before important performances or recordings to may support bright, fresh tone. Others restring on a fixed schedule—say, every four months—to avoid thinking about it. If a string breaks, you can replace just that one string ($1 to $3) or restring the whole guitar at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I restring my guitar myself if I've never done it before?
Yes. The process is straightforward enough for a beginner: remove old strings, clean the fretboard, insert new strings, wind them up, and tune. Watch a video for your guitar type (acoustic or electric) first. The main risk is winding too hard and damaging a tuning peg, but this is rare if you go slowly. A string winder ($5 to $15) makes the job much easier.
Do I need to buy strings from the shop where I get it restrung?
No. Most shops charge the same labor fee whether you bring your own strings or buy theirs. Buying strings online is usually cheaper, but you have to order ahead. If you need the work done the same day, buying at the shop is more convenient even if the price is higher.
What's the difference between a restring and a setup?
A restring replaces the strings and cleans the fretboard. A setup includes a restring plus adjustments to action (string height), intonation (tuning accuracy up the neck), and truss rod tension. A setup costs $50 to $100 total and should be done every year or two. A restring alone is just the strings and labor.
Why does my guitar go out of tune so quickly after restringing?
New strings take time to settle into pitch, usually 24 to 48 hours. Stretch them gently by hand after restringing, tune up, and repeat a few times to speed the process. After a day or two, the guitar should hold tune much better. If it still drifts after a week, the tuning pegs may need tightening or the nut may be cut incorrectly—ask the shop to check.
Is it worth paying extra for a full setup when I restring?
Yes, if your guitar has not been set up in a year or more. A setup ensures the strings sit at the right height, the guitar plays in tune up the neck, and the neck is straight. This makes playing easier and more enjoyable. If you restring every three months, a setup every 12 to 18 months is reasonable.