Personal Luthier
Less Work. More Music.

You share your playing experience, we identify the things fighting you, and you get simple answers on how to make your guitar work with you, not against you.

How it works

Our process, step by step:

1. You provide information about what works and what doesn't using our online form.

2. We analyze your answers to determine how your instrument fits (or doesn't fit) your musical wants and needs.

3. You receive a written assessment, your Individual Fit Assessment or Individual Tone Assessment (IFA or ITA, or both) with design recommendations and next steps.

Pricing:
Individual Fit or Tone Assessment (IFA or ITA): $250
Both assessments (IFTA): $425
*individual assessments include design guidance for one instrument and one follow up (email or 20-minute phone call).

Add ons:
Extended Assessment (includes multiple instruments and two additional follow ups): $350 for tone or fit; $600 for both tone and fit.

Build-Ready Specification Add-On (BSA) : $150
(a range of physical specifications that inform the building of a guitar by us, you, or a builder of your choice).

Setup Specification Add-On (SSA): $150
(for those not looking for a new guitar, we offer a written range of physical setup specifications intended to optimize your experience with your current guitar).

Have you completed your assessment form and need to submit payment? Visit our Order Page to purchase your assessment.

Not sure? Take our five-question quiz to learn more.

1. Are you looking to work or compensate less to get the tone or feel you want?

2. Do you wish your rig fit you (and your musical dreams) better?

3. Are you looking for guidance without sales pressure?

4. Are you tired of endless brand options and forum opinions?

5. Do you want to stop spending time compensating for your guitar and spend more time doing what you love about the guitar?

If you answered yes to any of these, Personal Luthier may be able to help.

Have you completed your assessment form and need to submit payment?
Visit our Order Page to purchase your assessment.

Terms

Effective: October 2, 2021
Last modified: January 16, 2026

Personal Luthier and Richardson Guitars & Effects provide educational, design, and instrument-specification services related to guitar design, setup, ergonomics, and playability. These services are not medical advice, not physical therapy, and not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. No medical claims are made, and no guarantees are offered regarding pain reduction, injury prevention, or physical improvement.

All recommendations, specifications, and assessments are based on information provided by you, the client, and are intended solely for use in musical instrument design, setup, and playability considerations. Individual results may vary.

By engaging with these services, the client acknowledges that:

• Playing a musical instrument carries inherent physical risk

• Clients are responsible for their own physical condition, playing habits, and health decisions

• Any changes made to instruments or playing approach/technique or any other actions resulting from use of this website, content we create that appears on other site or media, and our products and services are undertaken voluntarily and at the client’s own sole risk.

Personal Luthier and Richardson Guitars & Effects are not responsible for injury, discomfort, or outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of provided information, specifications, or recommendations. If a client experiences pain, numbness, injury, or any other physical condition, they are encouraged to consult a qualified medical professional and seek timely and appropriate medical treatment..

Use of this website and its services constitutes acceptance of these terms.

Limitations of Liability: Personal Luthier and Richardson Guitars & Effects shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind directly or indirectly resulting from, or related to in any way, any service or product provided by us or any of our associates, and you agree to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify Personal Luthier and Richardson Guitars & Effects and all our other associates against any claims relating to such service or product. You agree that, should you seek and have just cause for a refund, you shall be limited to an amount equal to, but never exceeding, the base rate for any service you receive. Further, should any pre-existing, manufacturer’s or others, warranty on your instruments, instruments in your care, and/or instruments for which you are authorized to receive service become void or altered in any way due, directly or indirectly, to Personal Luthier and Richardson Guitars & Effects products and/or services, you agree to accept sole responsibility for said termination or alteration of said warranty and agree to hold harmless, defend any indemnify Personal Luthier and Richardson Guitars & Effects, and all of our associates, against any related claim.