Guitar setups,
dialed in like
an instrument should be.

Precision setups, expert repairs, and bespoke fretwork from a working luthier. Two-day turnaround while the rest of Austin waits two weeks.

Book a Setup → View Services
or call 512-693-8982
★★★★★
Had several of my guitars taken care of by Drew. He’s who you can trust!
Acacia Hsu
★★★★★
Fastest turnaround in Austin. Got my Strat back in under 48 hours and it plays like a completely different instrument.
Marcus Rivera
★★★★★
Drew’s attention to detail is unmatched. You can tell he builds guitars — the precision in his setups is on another level.
Jake Thornton

The Best Austin Guitar Repair

Is your guitar fighting you back? Down here in Austin, the heat and humidity don’t just take a toll on us—they do a number on our instruments. Most guitars hit the shelf without a proper setup, and even a premium build can lose its edge after a few seasons or a few long sets on 6th Street.

Unlock the Soul of Your Instrument

That’s where Blue Chaparral Guitar Works comes in. From precision setups and fretwork to deep-dive repairs, I dial in your instrument to fit your specific playing style. You deserve a guitar that feels like an extension of yourself—smooth, reliable, and ready to play.

48h
Turnaround Guarantee
100%
Satisfaction Guaranteed
13
Point Setup Process
Drew Cave, Professional Luthier
The Craftsman

Crafting the Sound of Austin, One Player at a Time

Your instrument shouldn’t just be a tool—it should be an inspiration. As a builder of handcrafted bespoke guitars, I bring a maker’s eye to every repair. I don’t just look at specs; I look at how you play.

While most Austin shops are backed up for two weeks, I operate on a 48-hour turnaround. For a working musician, that’s the difference between making the gig and missing it.

Built for the Austin Scene

  • Precision Setups: Tailored to your touch, eliminating buzz and maximizing playability.
  • Expert Repairs: Structural fixes to electronic overhauls, handled with the care of a custom builder.
  • Your Partner on Stage: I’m not just fixing hardware; I’m helping you find the voice of your instrument.

When you choose Blue Chaparral Guitar Works, you’re working with a local craftsman who’s as invested in your sound as you are.

What We Do

Services

Every instrument gets the same precision and care that goes into a handcrafted custom build.

Electric Setup

13-point precision setup. Truss rod, action, intonation, electronics check, and a deep clean. Stage-ready in 48 hours.

From $85

Floyd Rose Setup

Floating bridge balance, spring tensioning, locking nut calibration. Dive bombs without the headaches.

From $110

Bass Setup

Optimized action for clarity and punch. Hardware tightened, neck relief dialed, frets polished.

From $85

Acoustic Setup

Saddle and nut filing, hydration check, action correction. Breathe life back into your wood — the Austin humidity angle.

From $85

Fret Dressing

Diamond-precision leveling, crowning, and mirror polish. Eliminates buzzing and choke-outs. Setup included.

From $150

Electronics & Pickups

Define your voice. 1 pickup $50 · 2 pickups $90 · output jack $50 · copper foil shielding $50.

From $50
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How It Works

The 13-Point Standard

More than a tune-up. A complete performance overhaul from a builder who plays what he fixes.

01

Diagnostic Scan

Deep inspection for structural health, fret wear, and electronic integrity. Catching small issues before they become mid-set disasters.

02

Dialing the Relief

Precision truss rod adjustment to hit the sweet spot — typically .010" for electrics and .012" for basses. Fast, buzz-free foundation.

03

Action Optimization

Bridge height fine-tuned at the 12th fret (acoustic) or 17th fret (electric/bass). Effortless playability without sacrificing resonance.

04

Electronics De-Gunking

DeoxIT treatment on all pots, tightened components, dead-silent signal path. No more scratchy volume knobs.

05

Fret Polishing

Every fret meticulously cleaned and high-polished to a mirror finish. Reduces friction for effortless bends.

06

Fretboard Hydration

Deep-clean and premium conditioning oils for rosewood, pau ferro, and ebony. Keeps the board silky and prevents cracking in the Texas heat.

07

Fresh Strings & Nut Lubrication

New strings paired with lubricated nut slots — the secret to killing the “ping” and locking in rock-solid tuning stability.

08

Tuner Torqueing

Every tuning machine checked for play and torqued to spec. Holds pitch even under the heaviest playing.

09

Hardware Rattle-Proofing

Every body screw — pickguard, bridge, control plate — tightened to kill sympathetic vibration. The only thing rattling should be your strings.

10

Pickup Height Balancing

Dialed to the "Goldilocks zone" — hot, punchy output without magnetic pull killing your sustain.

11

Precision Intonation

Saddle-by-saddle calibration so your guitar plays in tune on an open G and a 15th-fret solo.

12

The Showcase Clean

Final detail and buff-out. Your guitar should look as good as it sounds when it leaves the bench.

13

The Bench Test

I don’t just look at gauges. I play the guitar — bends, chords, lead lines — to ensure the soul of the instrument is exactly right.

Get this for your guitar →
Investment

Transparent Pricing

No surprises. No hidden fees. Just honest pricing for honest work.

Standard Setups

Starting at
$85
  • 13-point electric setup
  • Deep clean & conditioning
  • 48-hour turnaround
  • Floyd Rose from $110
Most Popular

Fret Dressing

Starting at
$150
  • Level, crown & mirror polish
  • Full setup included
  • Diamond-precision system
  • The "new guitar" feel

Structural Repair

Starting at
$59
  • Fret end smoothing $59
  • Bridge re-glue $120
  • Headstock repair $120+
  • TUSQ nut replacement

Electronics

Starting at
$50
  • 1 pickup swap $50
  • 2 pickup swap $90
  • Output jack $50
  • Copper foil shielding $50

Maintenance & Extras

Starting at
$35
  • Restring & clean $35
  • Tuner swap $45 direct / $75 w/ drilling
  • Paint touch-ups & crack repair by quote
  • Bespoke builds & full restoration by quote

Strings In Stock

Starting at
$10
  • D’Addario Nickel Wound (9–42 / 10–46) $10
  • D’Addario Phosphor Bronze (12–53) $12
  • Bring your own strings — no upcharge
  • Specialty gauges available on request

48-hour guarantee 48-hour guarantee applies to string changes and standard setups. Pro setups and specialty services require 1–2 weeks.

Ready to hear the difference?

Book your setup today and get your guitar back in 48 hours — playing better than the day you bought it.

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Get in Touch

Contact

Hours

Mon–Sun · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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