Electric Rebuilds

The Concept

Import guitars — the kind coming out of factories in China and South Korea — are often built on tooling and spec sheets that used to belong to major American brands. The necks are straight, the bodies are resonant, the fits are tight. What lets them down is almost always what's inside: cheap potentiometers, generic switches, anonymous pickups, and wiring that was clearly an afterthought.

The rebuild concept is simple: start with an import that has good bones, rip out everything that's holding it back, and replace it with parts that actually do the job. The result is an instrument that plays and sounds like something worth significantly more than what you paid for it.

What Gets Replaced

• Electronics: CTS or Bourns pots, Switchcraft switches and jacks, cloth-wire harness
• Pickups: Often replaced with Side Quest Pickups hand-wounds, voiced for the instrument
• Tuners: Swapped for locking or quality vintage-style machines
• Saddles and nut: Bone or compensated brass where appropriate
• Strap buttons: Replaced with strap locks as standard
• Setup: Full fret level and polish, nut slots, intonation, action dialled in

The Result

Near US build quality for a bit cheaper than Mexican build price. Think Fender American vs. Fender MIM — that's the gap these rebuilds are trying to close, at a lower total cost.

Completed rebuilds are listed in the shop. Or bring your own guitar in for a custom rebuild quote.