Structure
We assess the bridge-to-soundboard joint, bracing, cracks and earlier wood repairs. Where the reported problem calls for it, inspection also covers the inside of the body.
Guitar Lab · Selected Vintage Guitars
Vintage guitar restoration
We repair and restore vintage guitars with attention to their structure, playability and original components. At Guitar Lab in Poznań, Poland, our work combines wood and glue-joint repairs with neck, fret, hardware and finish work.
Each restoration starts with an assessment of the individual instrument. Previous repairs, original parts and your intended use inform the scope. Acceptance and transport of guitars from elsewhere in Europe are agreed before shipping.
GUITAR LAB / POZNAŃ
What restoration covers
We assess each area separately, because one list of symptoms can lead to quite different kinds of work.
Neck and frets
We assess the fingerboard, frets and nut. Then we establish whether a setup or fret dressing is enough, or whether the frets need replacing.
Hardware and electronics
We check tuners, bridge hardware, pickups and wiring. Working original parts stay where that is practical and matches your expectations.
Diagnosis before a quote
A loose bridge, worn frets and a finish chip are three different problems. First we establish what affects playing or weakens the structure, and what is simply a sign of use. Only then do we prepare a scope of work and a quote that lists each stage separately.
Original parts and finish
Where practical, we preserve original components and finish. Cosmetic work, such as touch-ups, polishing or removing traces of earlier modifications, is agreed separately. Restoration does not automatically mean refinishing the whole guitar. The patina can stay if that is what you prefer.
Preparing the instrument for continued use
Structural repairs, fretwork and setup form a coordinated plan. The final adjustment takes account of your chosen strings, tuning and playing style. A single repair or routine service may be sufficient; a more extensive restoration follows the needs of the individual guitar.
Case studies
From our workbench
These three projects show different scopes, from structural repairs on acoustics to neck work that kept the body’s patina.
Morris / GUITAR LAB
Restoring an acoustic guitar: from diagnosis to setup. Morris WL-35
When does an acoustic need more than a setup? Our Morris WL-35 project shows how to organise the work around the instrument’s actual condition.
Read the case study
Canyon / GUITAR LAB
Bridge regluing and brace repairs on an acoustic guitar. Canyon W-70
The bridge outside and the braces inside the body need separate checks. Here is how these repairs are prepared, and why glue alone is not enough.
Read the case study
Ibanez / GUITAR LAB
Why fingerboard preparation matters when refretting. Ibanez Musician
New frets need a stable seat. This project explains fret-slot preparation and a restoration that preserves the character of an older instrument.
Read the case studyGUITAR LAB / EUROPE
How we work
The process is transparent, and we decide on each next step together.
Conversation and inspection
Tell us about the symptoms, any known repairs and your plans for the instrument. Photos help with a first conversation, but we confirm the scope once we have seen the guitar.
Plan and quote
We separate structural repairs, neck work, hardware and cosmetics. You decide which stages go ahead.
Repair and setup
After the agreed work, we set up the instrument. We then explain what was done and what to keep an eye on in future.
Frequently asked questions
Does every vintage guitar need a full restoration?
No. A single repair and a setup are often enough. The scope follows the condition of that instrument and your expectations, not its age.
What determines the cost of restoration?
The instrument’s condition, structural repairs, fretwork, required parts and agreed finish work determine the scope and cost. Photos help us begin the discussion; the detailed scope and quote are agreed after inspection and before repairs start.
Does the guitar need refinishing?
Finish work is agreed separately. It may involve local touch-ups, polishing or retaining existing signs of use. The condition of the finish and the owner’s expectations guide the approach.
Do you accept guitars from abroad?
Acceptance of the instrument and the method of transport are agreed individually before shipping. Please do not send a guitar without contacting us first.
GUITAR LAB / SELECTED VINTAGE GUITARS
Let’s talk about your guitar
Send the model, photographs of the whole guitar and close-ups of the damage. Describe the symptoms, any known previous repairs and the restoration you have in mind. Include the country from which you would send the instrument to our workshop in Poznań, Poland.
ul. Dąbrowskiego 307, 60-406 Poznań, Poland+48 789 093 840
shop@selectedvintageguitars.com