Askem Guitar Works – Guitar setup, repair and restoration.
Over 30 years experience working on guitars and basses,
carrying out guitar set-up, repair and restoration work.
Based in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. UK.
Whether your instrument is new or old, affordable or vintage, get in touch here to see
what I can do to ensure it plays and sounds it’s very best, allowing you do the same.
Be sure to take a look at the Instagram and Facebook pages too.
Ben serviced my Epiphone to deal with a problem of breaking strings too frequently, as well as a couple of other niggle, and he’d attended to everything within 24 hours. Lovely guy too!
Ben is super friendly and very professional and being a guitarist himself really understands how to set a guitar up and get it right credit where credit is due I would highly recommend Ben 100% will be using Ben again thank you
For my 21st b’day, my mam and dad bought me a gorgeous custom made guitar that previously belonged to my guitar teacher, lead guitarist with a mega popular Yorkshire band, New Jersey Turnpike. A million years later, Ben worked his magic restoring it. It’s never sounded better and he did an AMAZING job. I am in awe. Xx
Ben did a superb job in setting up my Taylor 712ce. I can thoroughly recommend him
Ben was quick in identifying and fixing the issues with my guitar and was very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain things in specific detail- which was greatly appreciated as I now know more about how the guitar is put together and how to maintain it. My instrument now plays far better! Would highly recommend his services and will be using them in the future.
Response from the owner 13:34 04 Jun 25
Thank you! 
Took my acoustic guitar to Ben just needing some adjustment to pickup. Did all this with new strings and clean up of fret board within 24 hours which is superb. Really nice guy as well, so will definitely use again if I ever need work to my guitar again 👍
Response from the owner 10:03 19 May 25
Thanks Stephen, great to meet you. 
I’d struggled for a year or so with various setups of my Ibanez JSM100 before taking the guitar to Ben. Ben investigated and discovered several problematic frets, sending me a video demonstrating what he’d found. Ben completed a full setup and sent a series of photographs of the work in progress. Guitar is now plays and sounds great. Very pleased with the work carried out by Ben and can highly recommend.
Response from the owner 16:19 01 May 25
Thanks very much, great to meet you. 
Ben was great, refretted my strat + (can be seen on the Instagram page) and set up my partscaster. They play great. Great communication. Nice guy to do business with. Would do business again. David Ford.
Response from the owner 23:19 10 Mar 25
Thanks very much David. 
Ben was brilliant! Knowledgable, helpful and friendly. Went above and beyond, discussed all areas of the process with care & attention and my acoustic guitar has come back very happy indeed!
Will be heading back, without doubt, when I need his skills again.
Will be heading back, without doubt, when I need his skills again.
Response from the owner 10:20 04 Dec 24
Thanks so much Jake, it was a real pleasure to meet you. 
I was referred to Ben to sort out a small issue with a used Gretsch I’d purchased. As I was travelling the same day he dealt with the issue quickly & efficiently.
First class service.
First class service.
Response from the owner 13:57 03 Dec 24
Thanks very much Kevin, nice to meet you. 