Book an Appointment
October 11th, 2026
A good day to all you lovely string slingers & tone tinkerers,
At last, and with much more delay than initially expected, the doors (and the appointments) are open again for booking!
With the new and improved workspace opening up again, I’m introducing some changes to how the work will be handled here at the Stairway. It’s all good stuff, and I’ve tried to keep things clear and open, with options available for everyone. If the day you’re trying to book doesn’t show up, chances are it’s full, but there’s a new short term waitlist in case the time you were hoping for isn’t available, and you would like to be informed if something opens up.
My old system of ‘Bronze, Silver, and Gold’ setup tiers is being replaced with a new, updated and simplified two-option version. Everything is still handled on a fully bespoke case by case basis, by someone with almost 30 years in the business (me!), and in keeping with that, my Central London hourly rates are £99 + VAT.
With that in mind, I am introducing the brand new ‘FLY-BY’ Service for quicker, smaller jobs and incidental work. I know things are getting tighter out there, and everyone’s wallet is getting pushed harder, mine too! So I’ve come up with the all-new, cheaper, FLY-BY service. A lot of problems are smaller, simpler, and only need a short time to solve. This is the quickest, no-frills, sort-it-out service solution in London: £60 + VAT for 30 minutes with me, one on one, to look at what you need. You bring your instrument in, we look at it together, get it sorted, and you can head out with your guitar or whatever else RIGHT AWAY.
So if you just need a little attention on something particular, this NEW service is for you! Just please remember that this is a speedy in and out type of service; it is unlikely you’ll be able to leave your guitar (or otherwise) with me in the workshop after the 30 minutes. I no longer have the storage space to keep things here, so if it needs more work, you will need to either pay for more time if it is available, or take it with you to book additional time and bring it back another day.
Standard Setups, bigger jobs, longer work, and in-depth customisations as well as restorations will still be handled under the classic hourly rates. This is some of the highest level, most detailed work that you’ll find out there. If you’re looking for the no stone left unturned, every single corner and crevice covered type of service, then this is for you. Setups covered under this will look over every part of your instrument and be matched to your individual playing style, to get the absolute most out of your instrument! That’s not to say that all jobs will take an hour; some will still be under an hour, and if it takes less time, then I’m always fair & will charge less accordingly, of course.
As it has always been, please remember that ONE appointment is for ONE instrument; there’s unlikely going to be time to look at any more than that. You can try your luck, but don’t yell at me if I can’t do it all please!
And a last note: There’s still no paint and finishing I can offer in-house, and the amount of fretwork or headstock breaks I take on is extremely limited, if available
If you’re not sure what’s for you, get in touch with me via email, and I’ll try my best to help. Just remember: I haven’t had the chance to see your instrument in person, and as experienced as I am, it can sometimes be difficult to tell exactly what you’ll need & how much it will cost from a distance
Phew, that was quite a lot of info, wasn’t it?? I look forward to seeing you soon
Rock on into the sunset, you good people,
-Kevin