Instrument repair & service center
Guitar, bass & ukulele repair in Hilo, HawaiiKeeping your gear mean and clean since 2015.
Spencer and the repair team are committed to caring for your instrument. Transparent prices, thousands of parts on hand, and honest timelines when you drop off.
String changes · Cleaning & conditioning · Setups · Electronics · Pickup installs
The tech behind the bench
Spencer took his first guitar completely apart.
His first guitar was a Fender Squier. He brought it home in high school, took it completely apart, and put it back together. He and his guitars have been mostly inseparable ever since.
Spencer Ahuna is a graduate of the Guitar Program at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, and he has been the luthier here since the day Big Island Guitars opened in 2015. Every instrument on the bench gets the same time and attention as his own.
- Musicians Institute, Guitar Program graduate
- On the bench since the shop opened in 2015
- Thousands of parts on hand, special orders possible
What to expect
How a repair goes down
Drop it off
Bring your guitar, bass or ukulele by the shop during open hours. Tell us what feels off, or send a service ticket below first so we know it is coming.
Get an honest timeframe
Most regular service means leaving your instrument with us for a few days. Some repairs can take a week or two, or longer. We tell you the timeframe when you drop off, not after.
We do the work
We keep thousands of parts on hand. If your instrument needs something we do not stock, we can special order the component to complete the service.
Pick it up playing right
In a hurry? Same day repairs are sometimes possible for an additional fee. Just ask when you drop off.
Mail-in repairs, statewide
Live on another island?
We take mail-in setups and repairs from every Hawaiian island. Ship your guitar, bass or ukulele to the shop, Spencer's team services it at the same published prices on the menu above, and it ships back to you when the work is done.
Give us a call first so we can talk through the repair, shipping and timing before your instrument travels. Then start a service ticket below and mark which island it is coming from in the message.
Ship to
Big Island Guitars and Music Supply
1221 Kilauea Ave Ste 10
Hilo, HI 96720
Pack it well, loosen the strings a little, and put your name, phone number and home island inside the case.
Straight answers
Repair questions
Do not see yours? Call 808-969-9342 or email bigislandguitars@gmail.com.
How long will my repair take?
Most regular service means leaving your instrument with us for a few days. Some repairs can take a week or two, or longer, and we will give you an honest timeframe when you drop off. Same day repairs are sometimes possible for an additional fee.
How much does a string change cost?
A basic string change is $20 plus the cost of your choice of strings for most ukuleles, 6 string steel acoustics, electric guitars and electric basses. Classical or nylon 6 strings, 12 string steel guitars and 8 string ukuleles are $25 plus strings, and Floyd Rose or locking tremolo systems are $30 plus strings. Single string changes are sometimes possible, starting at $5.
Are strings included in the price?
Service prices cover the labor, and you add the cost of your choice of strings. Pick the set you like and we will put them on.
What instruments do you service?
We normally service guitars, basses and ukuleles, acoustic and electric. Playing something else? Please email us at bigislandguitars@gmail.com and we will let you know if we can help.
Do I need an appointment to drop off my instrument?
No appointment needed. Bring your instrument by the shop at 1221 Kilauea Ave Ste 10 during open hours. You can also send us a service ticket through this page first so we know what is coming.
Can you do same day repairs?
Sometimes, for an additional fee. Each instrument requires time and attention, so most service means leaving your instrument for a few days. Ask us when you drop off and we will tell you straight.
Do you install pickups?
Yes. Pickup installations start at a $45 labor charge plus the cost of your choice of pickup. We carry L.R. Baggs, Fender, DiMarzio and Parente Custom pickups.
What if you do not have the part my instrument needs?
We keep thousands of parts on hand, and if your repair needs something we do not stock, we can special order the component to complete your service.
Book a drop-off
Tell us what is going on.
Fill out a service ticket and we will know what is coming before you walk in. Then bring your instrument by the shop at 1221 Kilauea Ave Ste 10, Hilo, HI 96720 during open hours.
Rather talk story? Call 808-969-9342 or email bigislandguitars@gmail.com.
Other instruments? Email us first and we will let you know if we can help.