Your main options are a local music shop, a luthier, a general repair shop, or doing it yourself at home
A music shop is the fastest and most common choice. Most shops that sell guitars also restring them, usually while you wait or within a day or two. You walk in with your guitar, they remove the old strings, clean the fretboard, install new strings, and tune it. The cost typically ranges from $20 to $50 depending on the string type and your location.
A luthier — a specialist who builds and repairs guitars — will restring your instrument but usually charges more than a general music shop because they often do deeper work at the same time. If your guitar needs fret work, a neck adjustment, or bridge repair, a luthier is the right person. If you only need strings, a music shop is usually faster and cheaper.
A general repair shop that handles musical instruments can restring guitars, though quality varies widely. Call ahead to confirm they work on guitars and ask how long it takes. Some shops do good work; others treat it as a side service.
You can also restring the guitar yourself at home with basic tools — wire cutters, a string winder (optional but helpful), and new strings. This takes 20 to 45 minutes once you learn the process, and you save the labor cost. The strings themselves cost $5 to $15 per set.
Key Takeaways
- A local music shop is the fastest option and usually costs $20 to $50 for a complete restring.
- A luthier charges more but is worth it if your guitar also needs fret work, neck adjustment, or bridge repair.
- You can restring a guitar yourself at home with basic tools and new strings, which takes 20 to 45 minutes once you know the steps.
- Call ahead to confirm turnaround time and price, especially if you need the guitar back by a specific date.
- New strings cost $5 to $15 per set whether you install them yourself or pay a shop to do it.
How to find a music shop near you
Search "guitar restringing near me" or "music shop near me" in Google Maps or your phone's maps app. Look for shops with reviews that mention restringing service and reasonable turnaround times. Call before you go — ask how long it takes, what they charge, and whether they have your string gauge in stock if you have a preference.
If you live in a small town without a dedicated music shop, check pawn shops, instrument rental companies, and general repair shops. Many will restring guitars even if it is not their main business. Ask whether they use quality strings or if you can bring your own.
What to expect when you drop off your guitar
Bring your guitar in its case or gig bag. Tell the shop what string gauge you want — most shops will ask, and if you do not know, they will recommend a standard set for your guitar type. Acoustic guitars usually use medium-gauge bronze strings; electric guitars use lighter gauge nickel-plated steel.
Ask for a receipt with the date and estimated pickup time. Most shops restring guitars the same day or within 24 hours. Some shops will also clean the fretboard and polish the body while they have it, which adds a few dollars but keeps your guitar in better condition.
When you pick it up, the strings should be tuned to pitch and stable — they may go slightly flat over the first few hours as they settle, which is normal. If a string breaks or sounds dead within a week, most shops will replace it for free.
Mail-in restringing services
Several online services will restring your guitar if you mail it to them. You pack the guitar carefully, ship it to their address, they restring it, and mail it back. This takes one to two weeks total and costs $30 to $60 plus shipping both ways.
Mail-in services make sense if you live far from any music shop or if you want a luthier in another city to work on your guitar. The downside is the shipping cost and the time away from your instrument. For a straightforward restring, a local shop is almost always faster and cheaper.
Doing it yourself: tools and steps
You need new strings, wire cutters, and a way to wind the tuning pegs — either a string winder (a $10 tool) or your fingers. You also need a tuner, which can be a clip-on tuner ($15 to $30) or a free app on your phone.
The basic steps are: loosen the tuning pegs until the strings are slack, remove the old strings, clean the fretboard while it is exposed, insert the new strings into the bridge or bridge pins (depending on your guitar type), thread them through the tuning pegs, wind them tight, and tune to pitch. YouTube has thousands of videos showing the exact process for your guitar type — search "how to restring [your guitar type]" and follow along.
The first time takes longer because you are learning. By the third or fourth time, you will do it in 20 minutes. Many players restring their own guitars to save money and because they like knowing their instrument inside and out.
When to choose a luthier instead of a music shop
A luthier is the right choice if your guitar has problems beyond just needing new strings. If the action is too high or too low, the neck is bowed, the frets are worn, the bridge is lifting, or the tuning pegs are stiff, a luthier can diagnose and fix these issues while restringing. A music shop will restring it, but they may not catch or fix underlying problems.
Luthiers also work on vintage guitars, high-end instruments, and custom builds where a general shop might not have the informed. If your guitar is expensive or has sentimental value, a luthier is worth the extra cost.
Cost comparison: shop, luthier, and DIY
| Option | Cost | Turnaround | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music shop | $20–$50 | Same day to 24 hours | Quick restring, standard guitars |
| Luthier | $40–$100+ | 1–2 weeks | Expensive guitars, other repairs needed |
| Mail-in service | $30–$60 plus shipping | 1–2 weeks | No local shop available |
| DIY at home | $5–$15 (strings only) | 20–45 minutes | Save money, learn your guitar |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I restring my guitar?
It depends on how often you play. If you play daily, restring every one to three months. If you play a few times a week, every three to six months. If you play occasionally, once or twice a year. Strings sound duller and break more easily as they age, so restring when they sound dead or when one breaks.
Can I bring my own strings to a shop?
Most shops will restring guitars with strings you bring, though some charge a small labor fee ($10 to $15) instead of their usual restringing price. Call ahead and ask. If you have a specific brand or gauge you prefer, bringing your own ensures you get exactly what you want.
What if a string breaks right after restringing?
Most shops may provide their work for at least a week. If a string breaks or sounds defective within that time, bring the guitar back and they will replace it for free. Keep your receipt so you can prove when the work was done.
Is it cheaper to restring myself or pay a shop?
DIY is cheaper if you do it yourself — strings cost $5 to $15 versus $20 to $50 at a shop. But if you only restring once a year, the time and learning curve may not be worth it. If you play regularly and restring every few months, learning to do it yourself saves money over time.
Do I need to bring anything besides the guitar?
Just the guitar in its case or gig bag. Tell the shop what string gauge you want, or let them recommend one. If you have a preference for a specific brand, mention it, though most shops stock standard sets and can order specialty strings if needed.