The Same - Just Better

We want your guitar to INSPIRE you.

In this first video I introduce you to a customers guitar which is about to go into our workshop for setup and I show you just how many modifications and improvements will be made to the guitar.



This second video shows the guitar going through the workshop process. This process takes around an hour but dont worry - its just highlights!

Its Not Always A Happy Ending

One of my favorite adverts was one by Honda which said at Honda they don't use the word "OK" and instead they use the phrase "What If".  I LOVED that advert and found it so inspiring.  This is the premise of every guitar setup we undertake.  If that means rejecting guitars and starting again - that is exactly what we do.

No Time To Watch the Videos? Here Is the Summary...

If you have bought a guitar beforeyou will know all too well that not every guitar feels or plays the same. You may also know that due to the nature of the major component of the guitar (wood) that they can feel great one moment and awful the next (say for example after traveling half way around the globe on a boat - from some factory in the far east to the UK!) Richards Guitars offers a unique service offering the more discerning/knowledgeable buyer a host of "players benefits" which will ensure that ANY guitar purchased will give you years of enjoyment - regardless of the price paid. I can demonstrate that a guitar purchased from Richards Guitars will... Sound Better Pickups need to be balanced and adjusted accordingly for the optimum output. The height of the strings on an acoustic will effect the overal tone and volume. The break angle of string over saddle will also effect the volume, tone and energy that remains in the string. A poorly cut nut will sap tone and can cause various rattles and buzzes.Feel Better Mass produced guitars always suffer to a varying degree from sharp burs on the edges of the frets where they have been cut off in production. By spending time "softening" these edges it makes a massive difference to the feel of the guitar. From a sharp, scratchy feel when moving your hand up and down the fretboard to a guitar that feels like it has been played in for years.Play Better It is rare that there isn't a marked improvement on the playability of a guitar once it has been through our workshop. No matter what you pay whether it be £119 or £1119 every instrument new or used leaves our workshop fit to be played by beginner or professional. Of course, if you have a preference then the guitar will be setup to play just how you like it. I want the guitar to play like yourguitar.Stay In Tune - Longer A bold claim? Not really! We pay close attention to the nut of the guitar by default when setting up our guitars. If the nut is cut too tight on the strings then they pinch (that clicky sound when you tune or detune). The clicking noise is the sound of the string pinging into position. In other words it is not moving freely so when you go to tune your guitar it will be at one pitch but when you bend the string or use the tremolo the string "pings" into its actual pitch - now out of tune! People blame the tremolo for poor tuning on guitars but it is actually usually the nut which is to blame.Look Better Thats right! Our guitars even look better than guitars bought from any other store!! A visual check is made on every guitar. We are always looking for cosmetic issues and will take the price into account. I have rejected "flame top" guitars with not enough flame, guitars with poorly aligned inlays, buff marks, dinks and dents - most scenarios have occurred over the years - all rejected on behalf of the customer. On guitars which may have been poorly buffed at the factory we even have a T-Cut which helps remove excess scratching to give surfaces like black gloss a wonderful pristine sheen. Every guitar we sell is polished of course and the only dust you will see on the guitar will have landed on it from the box we put it in for packing! Want more reasons to buy from Richards Guitars? After Sales support My live help facility isn't just for people who want to buy guitars but also people who have bought guitars. I am here for anyone who needs the help, most hours of the day, most days. I always say "If I am in, its on". Thats the general rule.A second guitar setup to your new guitars standard for just £35.00 - Got a guitar at home that you think could be improved? Drop it in and we will do over £55 worth of work for just £35 6 & 12 month checks and "re-sets". A FREE follow up service for any of my customers. We will ensure your guitar plays like the day it left our store (minus your own wear and tear of course!) saving you £££ on pricey guitar technicians bills. If we find any parts that are failing that are not due to normal wear and tear we will replace them free of charge! Over the past 20 years I have worked hand in hand with suppliers, reporting back with fault "trends" and ways to improve products supplied to us. Companys I have dealt with have been listening intently over the years and we know what value our input has brought to their brands. To summarise, a guitar supplied by Richards Guitars will not just feel like a new guitar, it will feel like YOUR guitar. * Due to the need to check your intonation & adjust accordingly you must bring in your guitar with BRAND NEW strings fitted (original guage as setup when sold) OR pay our technician to remove your old strings and fit new ones - guide price £16.00 including strings. It is impossible to check intonation accurately with old strings. Past 2 Years Of Customers (Image only shows some of the UK!)* Every red marker represents someone who I have supplied a guitar to,  possibly starting with guidance and advice online, telephone or in store.  I have provided a guitar meticulously quality controlled and set up to their personal specification.  I have personally play tested prior to dispatch and have continued to provide back up and support via my live chat service...