How much does a guitar setup cost in South Africa?Expect roughly R400–R500 for a basic setup (without strings), per 2012 forum pricing — but that's old data, so treat it as a ballpark and get current quotes. What you get Standard work: Alan Ratcliffe, our Guitar Doctor, lists a setup as action (nut and bridge), intonation, truss rod and pickup height 3. Basses get exactly the same treatment — it's just a guitar's bass version 2. Not included: fret dressing and fret filing are generally beyond a basic retail-store setup and cost extra 3, 2. Why prices vary Guitar condition: Alan notes that worn frets or a poor fret dress only show up once the action comes down, which adds work 3. For full fretwork (re-frets), price depends on bound/set necks, maple vs rosewood boards and labour — he recommends getting a few luthiers to quote in person, as most won't price it without seeing the guitar 6. Communication: peterleroux says tell the tech how you play and what you want — there's no universal "perfect" setup, only one for your style 5. DIY option Learn it yourself: electrics are designed to be user-serviceable with common tools; Alan Ratcliffe does setups mostly by eye and feel, not special tools 1. Members DDDR4LYF and Tokai-SA did their own setups and only paid a shop for fret filing 2. The forum's prices date back to 2010–2014, so post a current recommendation or ask for fresh quotes from members near you. From these forum threadsGuitar setup (2010): Alan on why special setup tools aren't neededBass Guitar setup and service (2012): Members' R400-R500 setup experience, no strings includedWhat exactly is involed in the initial setup of a guitar? (2009): What a proper setup actually covers, per AlanPoll : How important is a well setup instrument (Guitar/Bass) (2016): How to get the setup that suits your playing styleCost of a Re-Fret for an electric guitar (2013): Alan's factors that push refret prices up or down
