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Portland Fret Works

4.8 ★★★★★ 141 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Portland, Oregon

Vintage specialist Repairs & setups

Musical instrument shop offering a range of services, including repairs and setups.

Plan your visit

  • Repairs & setups a repair bench comes up in reviews and the store's own info — call ahead for turnaround, since good techs run a queue
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (503) 249-3737
  • Website portlandfretworks.com

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12–6 PM
Thursday 12–6 PM
Friday 12–6 PM
Saturday 10 AM–2 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours can shift for holidays, clinics, and lesson schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

What's on the wall

Instrument and gear categories at Portland Fret Works, confirmed in players' own reviews and the store's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🎸 Electric Guitars 3 mentions

“Roy did a wonderful set up on my DiMarzio strat.”

All stores with electric guitars →

🎸 Bass Guitars 3 mentions

“I brought in a 99 American P-bass That I used to tour with back in my early 20s.”

All stores with bass guitars →

♻️ Used Gear 2 mentions

“I brought in a 99 American P-bass That I used to tour with back in my early 20s.”

All stores with used gear →

🔧 Repairs & Setups 21 mentions

“I first went into Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto but they were too busy and highly recommended Portland Fret Works, a shop I had not heard of before.”

All stores with repairs & setups →

🪕 Ukulele, Banjo & Folk 4 mentions

“I've got an old ('78) Ibanez 5-string banjo that needed lots of attention, new strings, neck adjustment, head torqued and whatever else might be needed to bring it back to life.”

All stores with ukulele, banjo & folk →

Brands they deal

Brands players name in their reviews of Portland Fret Works — the fastest way to tell what's actually hanging on the wall before you drive over.

🏷️ Fender

Who else deals Fender →

🏷️ Gibson

Who else deals Gibson →

🏷️ Martin

Who else deals Martin →

🏷️ Ibanez 3 mentions

“I've got an old ('78) Ibanez 5-string banjo that needed lots of attention, new strings, neck adjustment, head torqued and whatever else might be needed to bring it back to life.”

Who else deals Ibanez →

Brand mentions are mined from reviews and the store's own info — they tell you what's on the wall, not formal authorized-dealer status. If warranty coverage matters, confirm dealer status with the store or the brand's own dealer locator.

What players say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 141 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🔧 expert setups & repairs 25 mentions

“I first went into Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto but they were too busy and highly recommended Portland Fret Works, a shop I had not heard of before.”

🤝 fair trade-in offers 2 mentions

“They gave me a fair estimate of cost and a timeline of 4-6 working days.”

🧠 knowledgeable staff 5 mentions

“Took it to a couple so-called "banjo experts" and was met with varying degrees of disinterest and lack of knowledge.”

💵 good value 3 mentions

“and more to them and they always provide the best service at reasonable prices.”

From the reviews

I had my Ibanez Prestige RG2550Z, my most prized instrument that is in mint condition, refretted in stainless steel. Sam did an EXCELLENT job with this and I'm glad I went with Portland Fretworks for it. His communication was great and the work was complete quickly, punctually, and to a very high standard.

★★★★★ — Pavan, Jan 2026

My most recent guitar purchase had a wonky master volume pot so I took it to PFW for a diagnosis. I'm not a guitar techie, but I had a suspicion about the trouble. They immediately confirmed the problem that I guessed, but also an additional trouble.

★★★★★ — Ray, Jul 2022

Todd did a beautiful job, and a very difficult one at that, reshaped the back of neck, took a neck that was to large R8 Gibson Les Paul a very expensive one and made it very playable for me, I finished the neck in Watco Danish Red Mahogany a perfect match, could not be more pleased.

★★★★★ — John, Apr 2021

I've got an old ('78) Ibanez 5-string banjo that needed lots of attention, new strings, neck adjustment, head torqued and whatever else might be needed to bring it back to life. I play it open backed clawhammer style. It had lost it's punch, it's resonance, brightness and playability in general.

★★★★★ — Paul, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 141 reviews →

Where to find Portland Fret Works

3027 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR97211

Get directions

Guitar stores near Portland Fret Works

Trade Up Music

4.1 ★★★★☆ 89 reviews

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Repairs & setups fair trade-in offersknowledgeable stafffriendly staff

Spot to buy, sell, or trade guitars, drums, mics, keyboards & amps, plus lessons & repairs.

under a mile away

Rhythm Traders

4.8 ★★★★★ 169 reviews

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Buys used gear Lessons Repairs & setups Vintage specialist fair trade-in offersknowledgeable staffgood value

Sizable storefront featuring snare, African, Latin, acoustic & electronic drums, cymbals & hardware.

1.4 miles away

Eastside Guitar Repair

4.7 ★★★★★ 95 reviews

3904 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Ste C, Portland, OR

Repairs & setups expert setups & repairsknowledgeable staff

Repairs, set ups and fretwork on a variety of stringed instruments such as guitars, basses, mandolins and ukuleles at reasonable prices.

1.4 miles away

All guitar stores in Portland, OR →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and player reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this store? Claim your listing — it's free.