How much does a guitar setup or repair cost in Missoula?
By The BTR Editorial Team · Last verified · Methodology
A standard guitar setup in Missoula costs $45–$115
for truss rod, action, intonation and a nut check. Most Missoula players pay about $75; a full refret runs $270–$620.
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Guitar Setup & Repair costs in Missoula are up around 3.3% over the past year, re-verified against 20+ sources in October 2026. The typical Missoula price is $75 per job, 6% below the US typical of $80 per job.
Year on yearIn Missoula, a standard guitar setup costs $45–$115, strings extra, and most players pay about $75. Smaller markets mean fewer shops but fair prices: fret leveling runs $110–$260 and a full refret $270–$620.
As a smaller market, Missoula prices a standard guitar setup under the national typical of $80. Fret and structural work is where the spread is widest: $270–$620 for a refret, depending on the frets and the fingerboard.
The base price assumes a playable guitar that needs adjusting, not fixing. If the tech finds worn frets, a cracked top or a loose bridge, that's a separate quote.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: guitar setup and repair cost in the USA.
$45–$115 for a standard guitar setup in Missoula, strings extra — typically $75. With strings fitted it's $55–$140; a full refret is $270–$620. Verified October 2026. Get free Missoula quotes →
- Standard setup: $45–$115 ($75 typical), strings extra
- Restring only $20–$45 plus strings; setup + restring $55–$140
- Fret level $110–$260; full refret $270–$620
- Acoustic neck reset $400–$1,150; bench rate $60–$100/hr
- Highest prices: Downtown Missoula & the Hip Strip; lowest: Lolo, Frenchtown & the Bitterroot
Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 20+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Labor only unless the row says otherwise — strings and parts extra. Missoula metro, re-verified October 2026.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard setup, electric or acousticper job | $45per job | $75 | $115 |
| Setup + restring (strings included)per job | $55per job | $85 | $140 |
| Bass setupper job | $50per job | $80 | $130 |
| 12-string or Floyd Rose setupper job | $65per job | $100 | $170 |
| Restring only (labor, strings extra)per job | $20per job | $30 | $45 |
| Fret level and crown (with setup)per job | $110per job | $180 | $260 |
| Partial refretper job | $160per job | $220 | $320 |
| Full refretper job | $270per job | $420 | $620 |
| Nut replacement (bone)per job | $55per job | $100 | $150 |
| Saddle replacement (acoustic)per job | $45per job | $95 | $130 |
| Output jack or pot replacementper job | $20per job | $40 | $65 |
| Pickup install (one)per job | $35per job | $55 | $80 |
| Acoustic pickup / preamp installper job | $70per job | $120 | $180 |
| Neck reset (acoustic)per job | $400per job | $660 | $1,150 |
| Headstock break repairper job | $140per job | $280 | $530 |
| Crack or brace repairper job | $90per job | $190 | $360 |
| Rush turnaround (48 hrs)add-on | $20add-on | $45 | $90 |
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Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 20+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Figures are for the Missoula metro area. Pickup and return, where offered, adds up to $60; shops in Downtown Missoula & the Hip Strip run highest.
Guitar repair prices across Missoula
Same city, four price bands. Busy counters cluster in Downtown Missoula & the Hip Strip, independent benches in Westside & Franklin to the Fort, and the lowest prices are around Lolo, Frenchtown & the Bitterroot.
Downtown Missoula & the Hip Strip
- Hourly
- $65–$110/hr
- Job
- $50–$130 / standard setup
Central shopping areas with the most choice of shops. Prices run at or a little above the city median, and turnaround is often quicker.
Westside & Franklin to the Fort
- Hourly
- $60–$100/hr
- Job
- $50–$115 / standard setup
Neighborhood shops and home-based techs who work on all kinds of guitars and basses. Good value for setups and fret work — ask about turnaround before you drop off.
University of Montana & the University District
- Hourly
- $50–$75/hr
- Job
- $45–$85 / standard setup
Part-time and mobile techs at the lowest rates in the area. Good for basic setups — ask how long they've been doing the work.
Lolo, Frenchtown & the Bitterroot
- Hourly
- $50–$75/hr
- Job
- $45–$85 / standard setup
The lowest prices in the metro. Mobile techs and home benches cover a lot of this area, and some will collect the guitar for a small fee.
Real-World Guitar Repair Costs in Missoula
Here's what common guitar setup and repair jobs cost in Missoula in 2026, standard setup, strings extra.
New guitar — setup after purchase
Most new guitars leave the factory with high action and a nut cut on the safe side. A setup with fresh strings costs $55–$85 at most Missoula shops and is the cheapest way to make a starter guitar easier to play — worth it for a kid who plays, too.
Buzzing acoustic — fret level + setup
Buzz that a setup can't fix usually means uneven frets. A level and crown with a setup is $110–$260 in Missoula, plus $10 or so for strings. If the frets are too worn to level, a full refret is $270–$620.
Vintage acoustic — neck reset
Older acoustics slowly pull forward until the action can't be lowered. A neck reset in Missoula runs $400–$1,150; if the frets are worn too, many techs refret at the same time — budget about $1,080 for both.
Bass — active electronics swap
Two pickups, new pots and jack, and a bass setup to finish: $140–$355 in labor in Missoula. The pickups and preamp are extra, and active systems can need routing for the battery.
Headstock snapped in a case
A clean break that's still attached is the cheaper end — $140–$280. A full break, reinforcement or finish touch-up pushes it toward $530. Don't glue it yourself first; it makes the repair harder.
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How much does a guitar setup cost in Missoula?
For a standard setup, budget $45–$115 in Missoula. Basses and 12-strings cost more — $50–$130 and $65–$170 — because there's more to adjust.
Bench work in Missoula runs about $60–$100/hr, though most jobs are flat-priced: $20–$65 for a jack or pot, $35–$80 for a pickup, $270–$620 for a full refret. Re-verified against 20 sources in October 2026.
Guitar repair fees and shop terms in Missoula (2026)
The headline price is for a standard setup: $45–$115. These are the lines that move the final bill — strings, parts, rush work and how the shop handles big jobs.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strings (one set, guitar) | $6 | $10 | $20 |
| Parts markup (pickups, nuts, tuners) | At cost | 10–25% | 30%+ |
| Bench / diagnostic fee | Free estimate | $40 | $75 |
| Rush turnaround (48 hrs) | $20 | $45 | $90 |
| Pickup and return | Drop off yourself | $25 | $60 |
| Deposit on major work (refret, neck reset) | None | 25–50% | 50% |
| Turnaround | 1–3 days | 1–2 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Warranty on work | 30 days | 90 days | 1 year |
Ask every Missoula shop whether strings are included. Two setup quotes of $75 can be $20 apart once strings and a bench fee are added.
What moves a guitar repair quote in Missoula:
- Job size — a setup is $45–$115; fret work starts at $110; structural repairs run into the hundreds.
- The instrument — basses cost $50–$130 and 12-strings or Floyd Rose guitars $65–$170 to set up.
- Fret condition — worn or uneven frets turn a setup into a fret level or a refret.
- Parts — a bone nut is $55–$150 and a pickup install $35–$80, plus the part.
- Turnaround — rush work adds $20–$90; busy shops quote weeks for big jobs.
Get the same five things from every Missoula shop: what the job covers, strings and parts, turnaround, warranty and the deposit. Compare those, not the headline price. Get a quote for your repair →
Guitar Repair Cost in Missoula by Job Size
Setup: $45–$115. Fret work: $110–$260 for a level, $270–$620 for a full refret. Structural: $400–$1,150 for an acoustic neck reset.
Worked example: a used acoustic bought in Missoula with buzzing frets and no pickup — a fret level with setup at $180, an acoustic pickup install at $120 and strings at $10 comes to $310 in labor and strings. Skip the pickup and it's $190.
Electrics, acoustics and basses cost about the same to set up — $75 is typical in Missoula — with basses a little higher at $80. Acoustics cost more when something goes wrong, because cracks, bridges and neck resets are hand work.
Missoula Guitar Repair Costs by Shop Type
| Shop Type | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Big-box store counter | $55–$100 | A first setup on a new guitar, restrings and simple fixes |
| Independent repair shop | $70–$100 | Most setups, fret work and electronics in Missoula |
| Luthier (builds and repairs) | $80–$115 | Acoustic cracks, neck resets and anything structural |
| Touring / pro tech | $100–$170 | Players gigging every week who want a guitar set up exactly their way |
| Mobile tech (comes to you) | $45–$80 | Setups and restrings at home — no drive, no drop-off |
| Music-store in-house tech | $55–$95 | Starter guitars, school-year checkups and quick turnaround |
| Boutique shop (vintage) | $110–$160 | Vintage and high-value guitars where original parts matter |
| DIY kit | $15–$75 for the kit | Not a provider. Small truss rod, action and intonation tweaks if you're handy — not fret, nut or crack work |
Pro setup vs DIY vs a new guitar in Missoula
A pro setup in Missoula costs $45–$115. A DIY setup kit costs $15–$75 once and covers the adjustments — truss rod, action, intonation — but not fret, nut or crack work. Those still need a tech.
Replacing the guitar only makes sense when the repair costs more than the guitar is worth. A full refret ($270–$620) or neck reset ($400–$1,150) on a guitar that cost $150–$300 new is a hard sell; a $75 setup on that same guitar almost never is.
What's included in a Missoula guitar setup (and what costs extra)
A standard setup covers truss rod adjustment, string height at the bridge, a nut check, intonation, pickup height on electrics, a fretboard clean and a tune-up. Usually extra:
- Strings — $6–$20 a set unless the shop includes them
- Nut or saddle replacement — $55–$150 for a bone nut, $45–$130 for a saddle
- Fret leveling — $110–$260 if the frets are uneven
- Rush turnaround — $20–$90 on top of the job
Ask whether strings are included. It's the most common surprise on a setup bill.
How much work it needs
A setup in Missoula is $45–$115. Fret work jumps to $110–$260 for a level and $270–$620 for a refret, and structural jobs like a neck reset run $400–$1,150.
The instrument
Basses cost $50–$130 to set up and 12-strings or Floyd Rose guitars $65–$170, because there's more to adjust and restring.
Fret condition
Worn or uneven frets can't be fixed by a setup. A level and crown ($110–$260) fixes most buzzing; deep wear means a partial ($160–$320) or full refret.
Parts and materials
A bone nut is $55–$150 and an acoustic saddle $45–$130. Pickups, tuners and preamps are priced on top of the labor.
The type of shop
Big-box counters sit at the low end, independent techs in the middle, and vintage specialists and luthiers at the top. In Missoula that's the difference between $45 and $115 for a setup.
Location — Downtown Missoula & the Hip Strip vs Lolo, Frenchtown & the Bitterroot
Shops in Downtown Missoula & the Hip Strip pay the highest rents and charge accordingly. Mobile and home-based techs around Lolo, Frenchtown & the Bitterroot are the cheapest in the metro.
Turnaround
Most setups take a few days to two weeks. Rush work adds $20–$90, and big jobs at busy shops can take over a month.
- Combine jobs.Having the nut or pickups done with a setup saves paying for the same restring and adjustments twice. Ask Missoula shops for a combined price.
- Ask if a fret level will do.A level and crown is $110–$260; a full refret is $270–$620. If the frets have enough height left, leveling is the cheaper fix.
- Keep acoustics humidified.A humidifier costs far less than a crack repair at $90–$360. Dry winters and air conditioning do most of the damage.
- Learn the small tweaks.A $15–$75 kit and a few videos cover string changes and small truss rod adjustments between pro setups.
- Skip the rush.Book ahead of a gig or recital. Rush work adds $20–$90 to the bill.
- Bring your own strings.Many shops let you supply the strings you like. Ask first — some only fit their own stock.
Missoula techs often quote at the counter or by text. Before you leave the guitar, get these in writing:
- Exactly what the setup covers — truss rod, action, nut, intonation, fret check
- Whether strings are included, and which brand and gauge
- Parts and their prices — nut, saddle, pickups, jack
- The bench rate for anything found once the work starts
- Turnaround time, and the rush price if you need it sooner
- A promise to call before doing extra work
- Warranty on the work
- Deposit for big jobs like a refret or neck reset
How much does a guitar setup cost in Missoula?
$45–$115 for a standard setup on an electric or acoustic, strings extra, and $75 is typical. With a new set of strings fitted it's $55–$140.
How much does it cost to restring a guitar in Missoula?
$20–$45 in labor plus $6–$20 for the strings. A setup with restring is $55–$140.
How much is a refret in Missoula?
$270–$620 for a full refret and $160–$320 for a partial. If the frets just need leveling, a level and crown is $110–$260.
How much does a bass setup cost in Missoula?
$50–$130, strings extra. A 12-string or Floyd Rose guitar is $65–$170.
How much is an acoustic neck reset in Missoula?
$400–$1,150, usually including a setup. If the frets are worn too, a refret at the same time adds $270–$620.
How much does it cost to fix a broken headstock in Missoula?
$140–$530. A clean break that's still attached costs the least; finish touch-up and reinforcement cost more.
How much do pickup and electronics repairs cost in Missoula?
A pickup install is $35–$80 per pickup, a jack or pot $20–$65, and an acoustic pickup or preamp $70–$180 — parts extra.
What is the hourly rate for a guitar tech in Missoula?
About $60–$100/hr for bench work. Most common jobs are flat-priced, so you'll only see the hourly rate on unusual repairs.
How long does a guitar repair take in Missoula?
A setup usually takes a few days to two weeks; fret work and neck resets can take longer. Rush service adds $20–$90 where the shop offers it.
How often should a guitar be set up?
Once a year for most players, or when the seasons change and the action moves. At $75 a setup in Missoula, that's the cheapest way to keep a guitar easy to play.
Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 20+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices for the Missoula metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.