If you are looking to get your guitar set-up, please:
📞 Call/Text/WhatsApp: 0771 2892410 (Mon-Sun, 12pm-9pm)

Guitar Servicing & Repairs

Get Your Guitar Playing at Its Best

A professional setup is the most important thing you can do for your guitar—and your playing. Whether you’re struggling with high action, tuning instability, or just want effortless playability, a precision setup can transform your instrument.

With over 25 years of experience, I’ve worked on thousands of guitars, from budget models to high-end vintage instruments. I studied guitar in London at the Guildhall School of Music, the Guitar Institute of Technology, and the Gateway School of Music. For a decade, I was part of a dedicated team at Wesley Guitars Ltd, where we sold and set up over 25,000 guitars, basses, mandolins, and banjos worldwide. Now, I focus on making every instrument—whether a £20 plank or a £10,000 vintage Gibson—play and sound as good as possible.

Ritchie Wetherell, Barnard Castle: “Awesome work, plays like a dream now, the reduced action gave me much more confidence playing high end bar chords this weekend. No more worrying about bum notes, cramp or shredding my fingers. Already recommended setup to a friend. Cheers.”

Deluxe Guitar Setup

Unlike many guitar techs, I don’t offer fret-dressing and setups as separate services. A proper setup starts with a perfectly leveled fretboard, so every setup I do includes fret leveling and profiling to ensure a flawless playing experience.

✅ Fret leveling & profiling – Creating a perfectly even playing surface
✅ Truss rod adjustment – Optimizing neck relief for comfort and stability
✅ Nut slot & saddle adjustments – Improving tuning stability and sustain
✅ Pickup height & intonation setting – Ensuring balanced tone and precise pitch
✅ Full hardware & electronics check – Making sure everything functions smoothly
✅ Fretboard cleaning & conditioning – Keeping your instrument in top shape

Bob Turnbull,: “I’ve been struggling to learn for the last 3 years. The guitar was killing my fingers. At one point I ever considered my teacher was the problem. John my Les Paul is a completely different guitar and now I can play power chords!”

Why Does Your Guitar Need a Setup?

Even brand-new guitars are often shipped with a factory setup that doesn’t suit every player. A custom setup tailored to your needs can:
🎸 Make playing effortless – No more fighting high action or buzzing frets
🎸 Improve tuning stability – No more constant retuning
🎸 Enhance tone & sustain – Get the best sound out of your instrument
🎸 Reduce hand fatigue – Play longer and more comfortably

Dave C, Darlington: “I’m not quite sure how you did it but the Chinese Squier that you setup for me plays better than the USA Strat (buzzes all over) that I paid £600 for. I’m definitely going to get my Guild done. Next week if you can please.”

Additional Services

I also offer:
🔧 Pickup upgrades – Enhance your tone with premium pickups
🔧 Broken headstock repairs – Seamless structural fixes
🔧 Partial & full refrets – Restore worn frets for a fresh feel
🔧 Tuning stability fixes – Solve nut and bridge issues for better tuning

📞 Call/Text/WhatsApp: 0771 2892410 (Mon-Sun, 12pm-9pm)
📍 Location: Barnard Castle, Darlington, Co. Durham
💬 Contact me for a free quote!

Katie K, Richmond: “John a quick note to let you know my guitar is bloody brilliant now. Stays perfectly in tune even when I use the whammy bar. Boyfriend has a Futurama guitar he would like doing.”

John Wesley Guitar Repairs
54 Victoria Road
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8HR