Guitar Services
Customer notice -
I am currently fully booked for workshop jobs. I'm not able to take on new work, but will update this page as soon as the books re-open for new bookings. Thank you for your kind support, patience and understanding.
Many thanks,
James
If you're local to me (Stourbridge, West Midlands) I offer a small selection of in house services that help provide additional support to the range of products I make, stock and offer here. These services include installation of my pre-wired harness kits, re-wiring, installation of pickups such as those I stock from McNelly and Seymour Duncan, and installation of the Tesi Switch kill switch buttons too.
If you aren't local or If you need some more substantial repair work, I also have listed some techs I know and trust for this below to hopefully help!
Want to see the latest guitars that have passed through! Check out my new work-bench blog HERE
Appointments for drop-off / collection can be made by contacting myself at james@homeoftone.co.uk
Appointment times are available 9-5 Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri and I can accomodate for Saturday AM also. I'm afraid evenings are now no longer viable for myself. Both my young family and I appreciate your kind understanding about this going forward.
Fret level, crown and polish (includes set-up) plus strings - £120 inc VAT
New nut made from bone or GraphTech material, from scratch - prices starting at £75 inc VAT
Pickup Swap - Depending on instrument and task, prices start from £35 inc VAT plus pickups
Electronics Install - Labour for removal of old wiring, and fitting of one of my own harnesses or fresh install, prices from £40 inc VAT plus parts
Basic hour rate 'bench' fee - £35 inc VAT per hour
Basic intonation adjustment only - £35 inc VAT
This might be useful if you're happy overall with the setup of your guitar, action etc, but are struggling with it's intonation. For this I'll double check the neck relief (as excessive neck relief, forward bow for example can have a negative effect on accurate intonation) and then correct the bridge saddles for accurate intonation.
Basic string action/radius adjustment only - £35 inc VAT
This might be useful if you don't want a full setup, but would like the action(string height) improved. More often than not, particularly on instruments with individual string saddles, the saddle radius is not set correctly to suit the fretboard radius. So when adjusting the action, I will also address the radius for improved consistent action across the strings.
In house wired '50s style' harness made and fitted into an 80s Tokai, with Jupiter bumblebee caps
I have over 20 years experience of playing and toying with guitars meaning your guitar will be in very safe (and very caring!) hands. I am also fully insured.
If you're interested in a Home of Tone set up, then drop by the contact box or e-mail me at james@homeoftone.co.uk and get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you!
Custom wiring and additional cavity routing done for a modded PJ bass
Endorsements and reviews -
Luke Evans -
“James has worked his way through my collection and has squeezed every ounce of playability out of each one. From straightforward clean down and setup, to a 7 string multiscale project which included a complete new harness, pickups, fret dress and a seriously head banging couple of days to get the intonation bang on.
Can’t recommend him enough, very helpful and an experienced craftsman”
Ashley Oakes -
" James it plays absolutely wonderfully! Thank you. The set up you provided also made a huge difference in comparison to how it arrived to you. Also, never played with these strings and they're brilliant (Elixir Optiweb). Feels like a new guitar"
Andy Baker -
"Thanks for all your help with it. Plays better now, and the new wiring harness really has brought out the best from the pickup. I'm loving it at the mo!"
JD -
"James' set up of my guitar has made it an absolute pleasure to play. Excellent communications throughout, good value and a quick turnaround. I won't be going anywhere else for set-ups."
Phil Oakley -
"James has fitted his V loom, done some tweaking, helped fit some Seth Lover pickups and made sure it all works perfectly and is future proofed from my ham fisted wiring attempts . Amazing experience , very unexpected and most refreshing . I am a customer for life and cannot recommend Home of Tone enough ."
Marc Cartwright -
"Hey James. Wowsers!!! the jazzmaster is amazing....
Ali Malik -
"Hi james, just wanted to give you an update, the guitar sounds and plays so well, I can't put it down! You're a wizard and I appreciate all the hard work you've put into it."
Brian Cheadle -
"James carried out a Repair, on my telecaster including new bridge pick up,control plate rewire,new 3 way switch,new,jacking point & complete restring.he also. Helped me o by collecting guitar for inspection.James was first class in his communications a pleasure to deal with & all @ a very reasonable price"
Danny -
"James was really helpful with my guitar, it didn't need a huge amount of work but the changes he made have made a noticeable difference to how easy and comfortable it is to play."
Matt Gurney -
"Recently had some modification work and a setup for my Les Paul done by James. I cannot recommend him and his company enough. From initial enquiry all the way through the process James was extremely helpful and very professional. The work carried out was exceptional and I couldn't be happier! My guitar now looks and plays like a dream, will certainly be using James for all future guitar work. Thanks again!"
If you like seeing some of the interesting guitars that cross my path, perhaps give me a follow over on my social media where I share a lot of this work there!
Not local to the Home of Tone or need more substantial repair work carrying out?
I have come to know and respect a number of talented guitar repairers in my time and am more than happy to recommend their work if you need something more local to you, or more substantial than the services I offer. These are local to me, and not so local to me, but all well deserve a shout out for their level of work. Hopefully they can help if you do need more significant repair work carrying out.
Dafydd Owens Guitar - Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Jake Willcock (Willcock Audio) - Swindon, Wiltshire
The Guitarkes Workshop (Kate Phillips) - Whitby, North Yorkshire
Andy Charles Guitars - Halesowen, West Midlands
Monty's Guitars - Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Huw Price - Cowbridge, South Wales
81 Guitar Works - Maidstone, Kent
Cygnus Guitars - Wilmslow, Cheshire
Customer notice -
I am currently fully booked for workshop jobs. I'm not able to take on new work, but will update this page as soon as the books re-open for new bookings. Thank you for your kind support, patience and understanding.
Many thanks,
James
These services include installation of my pre-wired harness kits, re-wiring, installation of pickups such as those I stock from McNelly, Seymour Duncan & Fender, and installation of the Tesi Switch kill switch buttons too. For more detailed information check out the FAQ's below.
Where are you based?
All work is carried out here at my humble office.
My office is based in Wollaston, Stourbridge, West Midlands (UK).
What services do you offer?
Services include;
- Installation of my pre-wired harness kits
This service is focussed on offering the 'complete package' so to speak in aftercare support for my range of pre-wired kits. If you don't fancy installing the kit yourself, then I offer installation services in-house to do it for you
- Re-wiring. (case by case basis)
Although I do primarily focus on installation of my own pre-wired kits, if you have a guitar model that isn't featured in my pre-wired kit product range, then I can offer re-wiring services in house suited to your model of instrument. These will be handled case-by-case, and can discuss the model/specs etc before proceeding.
- Installation of pickups such as those I stock from McNelly, Seymour Duncan & Fender
I proudly offer a fantastic range of pickups in stock, and available to order. If you've seen a pickup set from what of the brands I offer that you would like to have installed too, then I happily offer that service for you here. Already have some new pickups though? Then I can happily install/swap those for you too.
- Installation of the Tesi Switch kill switch buttons too.
I have long stocked the brilliant range of kills witch buttons by Tesi Switch, and in an effort to further my aftercare for those, also offer installation/retrofit of these to your guitar. Whether you're looking to have one installed in place of an existing component, or have it completely retrofitted and added to your guitar, I can assit with making that happen.
- Control cavity shielding.
If you're planning a re-wire, why not make your guitar as quiet as it can be with professionally installed copper foil cavity shielding. I will correctly install this, neatly and efficiently throughout the cavity/where required prior to a rewire.
- Wiring component replacement, such as replacing individual pots, caps, switches, jacks etc.
Got a faulty pot, switch or troublesome jack socket that needs replacement? Don't want/need to do a full rewire or harness install? Then I carry all of these kind of components in stock, as such, carrying out an individual component replacement is a service I offer.
Drop-off & Collection
Booked in Guitar/Bass drop-off and collection is handled by appointment, here at my humble office in Stourbridge.
After we have discussed your work, I have quoted for you and we've agreed to proceed, we'll organise a suitable date/time for you to come by and drop-off the guitar/bass with me.
Once the work is completed we'll discuss a convenient date/time for you to come by for collection.
I personally don't feel comfortable with having instruments shipped to me via courier for work. I have catered for this in the past, but it adds further stresses and worry for it's safe transit, and also doesn't allow me to personally talk through and show the work carried out prior to the customer taking the guitar away happy. As such, I have decided that I won't be offering in-house services on instruments that are shipped to me. I'm afraid it will only be booked in if you are able to bring the guitar in, and collect it when completed in person.
How do I book in?
Bookings are handled via email - james@homeoftone.co.uk
Please note, that I am currently closed for bookings but will update here when ready to accept new bookings/work as soon as possible.
Pricing
General 'bench' Hour rate - £48 inc VAT per hour
Pickup Swap - Depending on instrument and task, prices start from £48 inc VAT plus pickups plus parts (where required)
Electronics Install - Labour for removal of old wiring, and fitting of one of my own harnesses or fresh install, prices from £48 inc VAT plus parts
Tesi Switch kill switch button install - Due to the variety of ways a kill switch button could be installed, what model the guitar is etc, this is quoted on a case-by-case basis, prices from £48 inc VAT plus parts
I'm not local, could you recommend any other techs and luthiers that could help with similar work?
Absolutely! Here is a list of luthiers and techs I have gotten to know and trust over the years.
Some are still fairly local to me, and I have added them to this list as they offer a broader range of luthier repair services that you may require too which may be of help compared to the more limited selection of services I now offer
Some are dotted around the country and hopefully there will be one listed that is local and convenient for you to visit.
Dafydd Owens Guitar - Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Jake Willcock (Willcock Audio) - Swindon, Wiltshire
The Guitarkes Workshop (Kate Phillips) - Whitby, North Yorkshire
Andy Charles Guitars - Halesowen, West Midlands
Monty's Guitars - Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Huw Price - Cowbridge, South Wales
81 Guitar Works - Maidstone, Kent
Cygnus Guitars - Wilmslow, Cheshire
C-Jay's - Walsall, West Midlands
Do you carry out setups?
I am not currently taking on setup based work I'm afraid. But it may be something I reintroduce as a service offered again in the future.
Get in touch
Have some questions about the services offered, or to book in?
