The cost to restring a guitar at a repair shop runs between $25 and $75, depending on the guitar type and where you live

A full restring at a professional shop typically costs $25 to $35 for an acoustic guitar and $30 to $75 for an electric guitar. Classical guitars (with nylon strings) usually fall in the $25 to $40 range. The price covers labor only—the shop uses strings you either bring or they supply. If the shop supplies the strings, add $10 to $30 to the labor cost, depending on string quality.

Geography and shop reputation matter. A repair shop in a major city charges more than one in a smaller town. A luthier (a specialist guitar builder and repairer) may charge $50 to $100 or more because they often do additional work—cleaning the fretboard, checking intonation, adjusting the truss rod—as part of the service. A general music store or big-box retailer may charge less, sometimes $15 to $25 for labor alone, but they typically do not inspect the guitar or make adjustments.

Restringing yourself costs only the price of strings—$5 to $15 for a basic set—but requires tools (wire cutters, a string winder, a tuner) and practice. Many people find it worth paying for professional service the first time to learn what proper tension and tuning feel like.

Key Takeaways

  • Professional restringing labor costs $25 to $75 depending on guitar type, with acoustic guitars on the lower end and electric guitars on the higher end.
  • If the shop supplies strings, add $10 to $30 to the labor cost; bringing your own strings keeps the total lower.
  • A luthier charges more but often includes fretboard cleaning and hardware checks that a general music store does not.
  • Restringing yourself costs only the price of strings ($5 to $15 per set) but requires basic tools and takes 20 to 45 minutes once you know the process.

What affects the price at a repair shop

The main variables are labor time and string cost. Acoustic guitars take longer to restring than electrics because the bridge pins must be removed and replaced, and the bridge itself is glued on—a tech has to work carefully to avoid damage. Electric guitars have tuning machines at the headstock and bridge saddles that are easier to work with, but some electrics have locking tuners or bridge systems that add complexity and time.

String quality also shifts the price. A shop that stocks premium strings (Ernie Ball, D'Addario, Martin, Elixir) charges more than one stocking house-brand strings. Some shops let you choose: you can bring your own strings and pay only labor, or let them install their stock and pay the markup. Always ask before you drop off the guitar.

Rush service—restringing the same day instead of waiting a few days—may add $10 to $20. Some shops do not offer it, especially if they are busy.

Doing it yourself: tools and time

You need wire cutters (to trim excess string), a string winder (a hand crank that speeds up winding), and a tuner. A basic tuner costs $10 to $20; a string winder costs $5 to $15. Wire cutters you may already have. Total startup cost is roughly $20 to $40 if you buy all three new.

The process takes 20 to 45 minutes once you are comfortable with it. You remove the old strings (all at once or one at a time), clean the fretboard while it is exposed, thread new strings through the bridge or bridge pins, wind them onto the tuning machines, and tune to pitch. The hardest part for beginners is winding evenly so the string sits properly on the tuning post—too many wraps or too few affects tuning stability.

YouTube tutorials from reputable sources (Fender, Martin, and individual luthiers) walk you through the steps for your specific guitar type. Many people restring successfully on the first try after watching a video, though a few practice runs are normal.

When to choose a professional instead

If your guitar has not been restrung in over a year, or if you notice the fretboard is dirty or the hardware is corroded, a professional inspection is worth the extra cost. A luthier can spot problems—a warped neck, a loose fret, a bridge that is lifting—that you might miss. Catching these early prevents expensive repairs later.

If you are uncomfortable handling the guitar or you have a high-end or vintage instrument, pay for professional service. Vintage guitars and expensive models (anything over $500) benefit from a tech who knows how to work on them without causing damage. A mistake on a $2,000 guitar costs far more than the $50 to $100 you save by doing it yourself.

String costs if you buy your own

A basic set of acoustic strings costs $5 to $12. Mid-range sets (D'Addario, Ernie Ball, Fender) run $8 to $15. Premium or specialty strings (coated strings that last longer, or nylon strings for classical guitars) cost $12 to $25 per set. Electric guitar strings are usually cheaper: $5 to $10 for basic sets, $10 to $18 for premium brands.

Buying strings online is often cheaper than at a local shop, but you have to wait for shipping. If you need them today, a music store or big-box retailer charges a markup for convenience. Some people buy a few extra sets at once to bring the per-set cost down and always have strings on hand.

How often to restring

A guitar played several times a week should be restrung every 1 to 3 months. A guitar played casually or stored most of the time can go 6 to 12 months. Strings lose brightness and go flat over time, and they break without warning if they are old or damaged. If a string breaks, you can replace just that one, but if multiple strings are dull or you have broken one recently, restringing the whole set is usually the better choice.

Coated strings (Elixir is the most common brand) last two to three times longer than uncoated strings, so they cost more upfront but fewer total restrings over a year. The math depends on how often you play and whether you prefer the feel of coated strings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a music store restring a guitar while I wait?

Some can, but most need at least a few hours or a day. Call ahead and ask. Big-box retailers sometimes offer same-day service if you drop it off early in the morning. Specialty repair shops usually need 24 to 48 hours because they do other work too.

What if I break a string and only need one replaced?

A shop will replace a single string for $5 to $15 in labor, plus the cost of the string itself. It is faster than a full restring. However, if the other strings are old or dull, a full restring is usually better value because you are paying for the tech's time either way.

Do I need to bring my guitar in or can I mail it?

You can mail it, but shipping costs $15 to $40 each way and adds a week or more to the timeline. Most people find it easier to take the guitar to a local shop. If you live far from a repair shop, mailing is an option, but confirm the shop accepts mail-in work first.

Is there a difference in price between acoustic and electric guitar restringing?

Yes. Acoustic restringing usually costs $25 to $35 because of the bridge pins. Electric usually costs $30 to $50 because the hardware is more varied. Classical nylon-string guitars cost $25 to $40. The difference is labor time, not materials.

What if the shop damages my guitar while restringing?

Reputable shops carry liability insurance and will cover damage they cause. Before you leave the guitar, ask about their damage policy in writing. If damage occurs, contact the shop when ready with photos. Most shops stand behind their work, but having the policy in writing protects you.