The city that gave the world Sun Studio and Beale Street blues keeps a smaller repair scene than its Tennessee neighbor, but a solid one. Circle Music Center publishes a $90 setup, and El Segundo Guitars includes a fresh set of D'Addario strings with theirs. Veterans like Tom 'TK' Keckler, who has serviced B.B. King and Albert King, anchor decades of local know-how.
Memphis guitar shops that do setups
Every listing below was checked against the shop's own website or a current public source. Call ahead for exact pricing and turnaround.
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Ferner Fine Instruments (formerly Memphis Guitar Spa)
Binghampton · 2441 Autumn Ave · Memphis, TN 38112Luthier Kevin Ferner's shop is the continuation of the longtime Memphis Guitar Spa, which for years offered Mid-South stringed-instrument setups and restorations before shifting focus to custom-built guitars/basses and specialty finishing; the shop now operates by appointment only.
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El Segundo Guitars
Bartlett · 5724 Stage Road, Suite F · Bartlett, TN 38134Founded in 2025 by Blake Jarrell and Chris Pietrangelo, both Certified Guitar Repair Technicians trained at the Southeast Guitar Repair Academy; setups include a fresh set of D'Addario strings (or bring your own) and a 30-day warranty.
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Martin Music
Midtown · 1659 Poplar Ave · Memphis, TN 38104Family-owned Memphis guitar store operating since 1997, whose in-house luthier Robert Scoby performs everything from master setups to neck resets, refrets, and bridge reglues.
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Lane Music
Germantown · 9309 Poplar Ave · Germantown, TN 38138Operating since 1987, Lane Music serves greater Memphis with in-house guitar setups and repairs alongside a large new-and-used inventory spanning Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, and PRS.
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Circle Music Center
East Memphis · 5124 Poplar Ave, Suite 101 · Memphis, TN 38117Circle Music Center's published repair menu lists a $90 setup and a $180 fret-level-and-crown package (setup included); the guitar bench is run by tech Adam Lucchesi, who also operates his own ALOCDGR practice out of the same Poplar Ave location.
Setup $90 -
TK's Guitar Services
3098 Woodhills Dr · Memphis, TN 38128Tom "TK" Keckler has provided guitar and luthier services in Memphis for over 45 years, with a client history that includes B.B. King, Albert King, Elvis Presley, Pete Townshend, and Jeff Beck.
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rEvolve Guitar & Music Shop
Bartlett · 5832 Stage Rd · Bartlett, TN 38134rEvolve handles routine guitar maintenance and restrings in-house and partners with Mike Stoker's Guitar Repair for major repair work and Check Valve Amp Repair for amplifier service.
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Guitar Center Bartlett (Memphis)
Bartlett · 8000 US Hwy 64 · Bartlett, TN 38133This is a Guitar Center chain location offering a 22-point walk-in Signature Setup, a Platinum Setup with detailing, and electronics modifications; no appointment necessary.
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What a guitar setup costs in Memphis
US benchmarks, checked July 2026. A fret level and crown adds $85-$150, a restring alone runs about $25.
| Provider | Standard setup | Turnaround | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent local shop | $45-$90 | 2-3 days typical | Often the best value. Prices vary by shop and city. |
| Guitar Center | $60-$75 | Up to 1 week | Signature Setup with restring. Platinum tier runs $150+. |
| Sweetwater | $99 | Ship-in service | Plek Pro setup from $200. Parts and strings extra. |
| DIY with proper tools | One-time tool cost | About an evening | Tools pay for themselves after 1-2 setups and last for decades. |
Or set it up yourself in an evening
A pro setup in Memphis costs $45-$99 and most players need two per year. With precision tools you do the same three adjustments (neck relief, action, intonation) on your own bench, whenever your guitar needs it. FRTLZR precision tools pay for themselves after the first setup.
FRTLZR® Checkcard String Action GaugeMeasure and dial in your string action
Precision Feeler Gauges SetCheck neck relief at the truss rod stage
FRTLZR® Radius GaugeMatch saddle heights to your fretboard radius
FRTLZR® Fret Polishing Kit PREMIUMBring dull frets back to a mirror shine
Guitar setup in Memphis: common questions
How much does a guitar setup cost in Memphis?
Circle Music Center publishes a $90 setup, and its fret-level-and-crown package runs $180 with the setup included. El Segundo Guitars in Bartlett includes a fresh set of D'Addario strings with each setup, plus a 30-day warranty. For comparison, Guitar Center Bartlett charges $60 to $75 and Sweetwater about $99. A fret level and crown typically runs $85 to $150 elsewhere, and a restring alone is around $25.
Which Memphis shop is best for fretwork or a refret?
Circle Music Center's bench, run by tech Adam Lucchesi with over 20 years of experience, handles fret leveling, crowning, and refrets, with a published $180 fret-level-and-crown package. Martin Music's in-house luthier Robert Scoby also performs refrets and neck resets. El Segundo Guitars staffs Certified Guitar Repair Technicians trained at the Southeast Guitar Repair Academy.
Do I need an appointment for a guitar setup?
Policies vary. Guitar Center Bartlett takes walk-in setups with no appointment necessary, while Ferner Fine Instruments (formerly Memphis Guitar Spa) now works by appointment only. For independent benches like Circle Music Center or Martin Music, it is best to call ahead so the tech can schedule your instrument in.
How often should I get my guitar set up?
Most players benefit from a professional setup every six months, since seasonal shifts in temperature and humidity move the neck and change string action. Players who gig heavily, change tunings, or switch string gauges often may want one more frequently. A setup is also worth booking any time you notice buzzing, high action, or intonation drift.
Can I do a guitar setup myself instead?
You can handle the basics yourself. The three core adjustments (neck relief, action, and intonation) are measurable and repeatable with the right tools: a string action gauge, feeler gauges, and a radius gauge for accurate readings. More involved work such as fret leveling or a bone nut is better handled by a shop like Circle Music Center or Martin Music.
