BASIC SETUP
$80
FULL SETUP
$120
UPGRADES AND MODIFICATIONS
$100 – 500
Payment in cash, check, or PayPal accepted

Basic Setup – $80
Includes the most critical adjustments which should be done periodically for any instrument
- Basic cleaning and light polishing
- Positioning and adjustment of the bridge for sweet intonation
- Refinement and sizing of nut and bridge slots for smooth tuning and easy playability
- Inspection and adjustment of truss rod
- Elimination of sharp fret and nut edges
- Elimination of buzzing and rattling
- Choice of D’addario EJ73 or EJ74 strings
(Other types of strings available, ask before appointment) - Inspection to verify:
- Overall instrument geometry
- Cracks
- Joints and seam separations
- Bracing structure
- Neck and truss rod structure

Full Setup – $120
A Full Setup results in the lowest possible action and even intonation all the way up the board.
Includes all steps involved in a basic setup, plus the following:
- Fret leveling and dressing
- Fret crowning and polishing
- Bridge fitting to ensure full contact of bridge feet with the mandolin top
- Correction of excessive bridge height (if possible without replacement)
Sometimes a full setup is not possible because the mandolin requires repair or modification in order to be made playable.
These might require actions such as:
- Neck reset
- Re-fret
- Truss rod repair
- Fretboard replacement
- Instrument structural repair (back, sides, top, bracing, etc.)
These types of repairs are not our specialty. We will not begin work if we do not believe a complete and correct result is possible from a Basic Setup or Full Setup.

Upgrades and Modifications
Sometimes a new bridge, tuning machines, or tailpiece can make all the difference between an instrument being a wall hanger or an inspiring musical tool.
Jacobson Interlocking-Beam Bridge, including hand-fitting
$250 including a Full Setup
Unique fully-adjustable, fully-supported bridge in your choice of woods and materials including ebony, maple, carbon fiber, aluminum, and other exotic hardwoods and engineering-grade materials
New nut (brass, bone, or synthetic options available)
$250 including a Full Setup
Florida Scooping
$250 including a Full Setup
Rubner teflon-bearing tuning machines:
$150-250 including a Full Setup
(depending on options)
Rubner RmP-bearing tuning machines:
$300-550 including a Full Setup
(depending on options)
Replacement Rigel tailpieces:
$250 including a Full Setup
(includes custom engraving)
Cast, violin-style, or machined tailpiece upgrades:
$150-350 including a Full Setup
(depending on options)
Custom Armrest:
$150-350 installed (depending on options)
Setting up a Kentucky KM-140S
This series shows the complete process of setting up a KM-140S, from assessment to final optimal playability.
Theory, tools, and techniques needed are discussed, and enough information is given to do this yourself if you like.