Electric Guitars Melbourne - Schecter, Dean, Ibanez, ESP & More
Electric Guitars Melbourne - Professional Setup & Expert Advice
Angkor Music Melbourne: Electric guitars with professional guitar tech setup included, on-site workshop for repairs and modifications, and genuine playing expertise from working musicians with decades of combined experience. Established 2013, our staff bring extensive backgrounds in guitar repair, performance, and technical work spanning 25+ years. Comprehensive stock across Schecter, Dean, Ibanez, ESP, Cort, and our NVE house brand. Every guitar receives professional setup from our qualified guitar technician. Located 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona. Call (03) 8360 7799.
What separates Angkor Music from online retailers and stores without technical capability: we have a qualified guitar technician on-site performing professional setups, repairs, and modifications daily. This isn't a retail-only operation - our workshop handles everything from basic setup work through complete electronics rewiring, fret leveling, nut replacement, and structural repairs. When you buy an electric guitar from us, it's been through our tech's hands for complete setup inspection before you take it home.
Our electric guitar selection spans entry-level through professional instruments across Schecter, Dean, Ibanez, ESP, Cort, Music Man, Wylde Audio, Jet, Hagstrom, Chapman, Heritage, Godin, and our NVE Guitars house brand offering professional features at $599. Our staff are working guitarists with decades of combined experience who understand these instruments from performance and technical work, and our guitar tech brings qualified expertise to setup and repair recommendations. Visit us at 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona or call (03) 8360 7799.
Why Workshop Capability Matters When Buying Electric Guitars
Most guitar retailers sell instruments straight from the shipping box with factory setup that varies wildly in quality. Manufacturers ship guitars set up for warehousing and transport, not optimal playing. Action is often set too high to prevent shipping buzz, intonation may be approximate, fret ends can be sharp, and electronics may have cold solder joints or scratchy pots that won't reveal themselves until you've owned the guitar for weeks.
Our guitar technician inspects and sets up every electric guitar before sale. This includes: precise action adjustment to your playing style (we ask how you play), accurate intonation setting using proper technique and tools, fret inspection for levelness and sharp edges, electronics testing including pot function and pickup output balance, neck relief optimization for string gauge and tuning, hardware tightness check, and nut slot examination for proper string seating. Guitars requiring fret work, nut replacement, or electronics repair get that work done before they're offered for sale - we don't sell instruments with problems hoping you won't notice.
This workshop capability continues after purchase. Need lower action three months later? Pickup replacement? Fret leveling after a year of playing? Electronics modification? These aren't services we send out - our tech handles them on-site. That ongoing relationship with someone who actually knows your specific instrument because they set it up originally is the practical difference between buying from a workshop-equipped specialist versus a retail-only operation or online store.
Electric Guitar Brands We Stock - Melbourne
Schecter Guitars
Premium modern metal specifications. Hellraiser series with active EMGs and quilted maple tops, Omen entry-level solid construction, Banshee performance-focused designs, Reaper extended-range 6/7/8-string configurations. Our tech handles Schecter's specific setup requirements including active electronics battery access and set-neck adjustments.
Range: $500-$2,500 | Speciality: Modern metal, high-gain
Dean Guitars
Iconic body shapes and rock tone. ML flagship double-cutaway, V models, Razorback Dimebag signatures, Cadillac traditional designs. Set-neck construction requires specific intonation approach our tech understands. Vendetta series entry-level with Dean aesthetics.
Range: $400-$2,000 | Speciality: Hard rock, metal, classic designs
NVE Guitars - Our House Brand
$599 HSS Strat-style with professional features. We control the entire process from manufacturing through setup. HSS configuration, quality hardware, proper fret work, comfortable neck. Our tech sets up every NVE to our standards - not factory standards - before sale. Challenges guitars costing $900-$1,200.
Price: $599 | Speciality: Exceptional value, versatile HSS
Ibanez Guitars
Modern rock/metal design leaders. RG series thin Wizard necks and double-locking trems, S series ultra-thin lightweight bodies, JEM Steve Vai signatures, Prestige Japanese construction. Our tech is experienced with Edge tremolo setup and Wizard neck relief requirements.
Range: $600-$3,000 | Speciality: Fast playing, technical metal
ESP Guitars
Professional specifications, accessible prices. LTD EC-1000 mahogany set-neck with EMGs, Horizon neck-through designs, MH series compact bodies. E-II series premium Korean manufacturing. Our tech handles active electronics and Tonepros bridge setup specific to ESP.
Range: $900-$2,500 | Speciality: Metal, hard rock, professional grade
What Professional Setup Actually Means - Technical Detail
"Setup" gets used as a marketing term by retailers who don't actually do the work. Here's what our qualified guitar technician does to every electric guitar before sale, and what these adjustments actually accomplish:
Action Adjustment
String height at the 12th fret set to playing style requirements. Metal players often need slightly higher action (2.0-2.5mm bass side) to accommodate aggressive picking without fret buzz. Blues and lead players may prefer lower (1.5-2.0mm) for easier bending. We ask how you play before setting action - there's no "standard" that suits everyone.
Intonation Setting
Saddle positioning so the 12th fret harmonic matches the fretted 12th fret note on every string. Requires proper technique using an accurate tuner and understanding of how string gauge, action height, and playing technique affect intonation. Set-neck guitars have limited adjustment range - our tech knows when compensation is needed elsewhere.
Neck Relief Optimization
Slight forward bow allowing string vibration clearance in middle frets while maintaining low action at nut and upper frets. Measured with feeler gauges at the 7th-9th fret with the string fretted at 1st and last fret. Typical relief: 0.010"-0.012" depending on string gauge and playing style. Truss rod adjustment requires understanding of seasonal wood movement.
Fret Inspection
Fret levelness checked across the neck using a straight edge. High frets cause buzz and intonation problems. Sharp fret ends cause discomfort and potential cuts. Our tech identifies fret issues before sale - guitars requiring fret leveling get it done in our workshop before they're sold, not after you've discovered the problem at home.
Electronics Testing
Every pickup position tested for output, every pot tested for smooth operation without scratching, pickup selector tested for reliable switching, output jack tested for solid connection. Active pickups checked for proper battery function and compartment access. Cold solder joints and loose connections identified and repaired before sale.
Hardware Check
Tuning machine tightness, bridge saddle security, strap button security, pickup height optimization for balanced output, tremolo spring tension and balance. Locking nut guitars checked for proper clamp pressure. These details affect tuning stability, sustain, and playability but are often overlooked in factory setup.
This is qualified technical work, not "tuning and wiping down." Our guitar technician has the tools, knowledge, and experience to identify problems and fix them properly. When something needs fret work, nut replacement, or electronics repair beyond basic setup, we do that work in our workshop before the guitar goes on the sales floor. You shouldn't discover setup problems after purchase - you should receive an instrument that plays correctly from the moment you take it home.
Pickup Configurations Explained - HSS, HSH, HH
Pickup configuration determines an electric guitar's fundamental tonal range and versatility. Understanding these differences helps match instruments to musical requirements:
HSS - Humbucker Single Single
Bridge humbucker provides thick, powerful tone for rock and metal lead work and rhythm playing. Neck and middle single-coils deliver authentic Stratocaster sparkle and clarity for clean funk, blues, and classic rock rhythm tones. Our NVE HSS at $599 uses this configuration - the most versatile setup for players who need genuine single-coil clean tones AND humbucker power from one instrument.
Best for: Players who split time between clean and distorted sounds, versatile session work, players who can't afford multiple specialized guitars, beginners exploring different styles.
HSH - Humbucker Single Humbucker
Humbuckers in bridge and neck positions provide consistent high-output tone at both extremes of the pickup selector. Middle single-coil adds clarity for clean position 2/4 combinations. Common on Ibanez RG models. More consistent output across positions than HSS but less authentic single-coil character for clean tones.
Best for: Rock and metal players who want thick neck pickup lead tone, players prioritizing output consistency, styles requiring powerful tone in all positions.
HH - Humbucker Humbucker
Dual humbuckers prioritize thick, powerful tone over single-coil versatility. Standard on most Schecter, Dean, and ESP guitars. Many modern HH guitars include coil-splitting allowing approximation of single-coil tones by deactivating one coil per humbucker.
Best for: Metal, hard rock, any style prioritizing maximum output and thick tone, players who don't require authentic single-coil character.
Price Guide - Electric Guitars Melbourne
Entry Level - $399-$999
Jet Guitars, Cort entry models, Dean Vendetta, Schecter Omen. Our NVE HSS at $599 is exceptional value in this bracket - professional features typically found on $900-$1,200 instruments.
Solid construction, reliable hardware, professional setup included. Ideal for students and developing players who need playable quality without major investment.
Intermediate - $999-$3,999
Ibanez RG Standard, Schecter Banshee, ESP LTD EC/MH series, Dean ML Select, Chapman ML1/ML3.
Enhanced pickups (Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, EMG), premium hardware, set-neck or neck-through construction, compound radius fretboards, coil-splitting. Recording and performance capable.
Professional - $2,500-$8,999
Schecter Hellraiser, Ibanez Prestige, ESP E-II, Music Man USA, Heritage guitars.
Hand-selected tonewoods, premium pickups, meticulous fret work, professional setup standards. Recording and touring grade instruments with investment-level build quality.
Ongoing Service - Not Just Point of Sale
Workshop capability provides ongoing value beyond the initial purchase. Your relationship with us doesn't end when you walk out with a guitar - it begins. Our guitar technician provides:
Setup Adjustments
Action adjustments as your playing evolves, seasonal neck relief adjustments for Melbourne's humidity changes, restringing with proper stretching and setup, tremolo rebalancing for different string gauges.
Fret Work
Fret leveling and crowning, fret polishing for smooth bends, fret end dressing for sharp edges, partial or complete refrets when wear becomes significant. Done on-site in our workshop with proper tools and technique.
Electronics Work
Pickup replacement and installation, electronics upgrades and modifications, pot replacement for scratchy controls, jack repair and replacement, active pickup battery systems, custom wiring configurations.
Structural Repairs
Nut replacement and proper slotting, bridge and tailpiece work, tuning machine replacement, strap button relocation, finish touch-up, neck pocket shimming, truss rod repairs where possible.
This is the practical difference between buying from a workshop-equipped specialist versus an online retailer or retail-only store. When your guitar needs work six months or two years after purchase, we're here with the technical capability to handle it properly. That ongoing relationship - with someone who knows your specific instrument because they set it up originally - is genuine value that extends far beyond the initial transaction.
Visit Our Melbourne Showroom - Altona
Try Before You Buy - Professional Testing Environment
Our Altona showroom provides relaxed, unpressured environment for hands-on guitar comparison across our complete range
Quality Amplification
Test guitars through proper amplification that reveals their actual tonal character. Compare pickups, neck feel, and ergonomics across brands properly amplified.
Working Musicians on Staff
Advice from guitarists who play these instruments, not just sell them. Honest recommendations based on your actual playing requirements and musical direction.
Technical Expertise Present
Our guitar technician can explain setup details, discuss modifications, and answer technical questions about construction, electronics, and hardware.
Location: 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona VIC 3018
Phone: (03) 8360 7799
Electric Guitars Melbourne - Professional Setup & Expert Advice
Angkor Music Melbourne: Electric guitars with professional guitar tech setup included, on-site workshop for repairs and modifications, and genuine playing expertise from working musicians with decades of combined experience. Established 2013, our staff bring extensive backgrounds in guitar repair, performance, and technical work spanning 25+ years. Comprehensive stock across Schecter, Dean, Ibanez, ESP, Cort, and our NVE house brand. Every guitar receives professional setup from our qualified guitar technician. Located 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona. Call (03) 8360 7799.
What separates Angkor Music from online retailers and stores without technical capability: we have a qualified guitar technician on-site performing professional setups, repairs, and modifications daily. This isn't a retail-only operation - our workshop handles everything from basic setup work through complete electronics rewiring, fret leveling, nut replacement, and structural repairs. When you buy an electric guitar from us, it's been through our tech's hands for complete setup inspection before you take it home.
Our electric guitar selection spans entry-level through professional instruments across Schecter, Dean, Ibanez, ESP, Cort, Music Man, Wylde Audio, Jet, Hagstrom, Chapman, Heritage, Godin, and our NVE Guitars house brand offering professional features at $599. Our staff are working guitarists with decades of combined experience who understand these instruments from performance and technical work, and our guitar tech brings qualified expertise to setup and repair recommendations. Visit us at 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona or call (03) 8360 7799.
Why Workshop Capability Matters When Buying Electric Guitars
Most guitar retailers sell instruments straight from the shipping box with factory setup that varies wildly in quality. Manufacturers ship guitars set up for warehousing and transport, not optimal playing. Action is often set too high to prevent shipping buzz, intonation may be approximate, fret ends can be sharp, and electronics may have cold solder joints or scratchy pots that won't reveal themselves until you've owned the guitar for weeks.
Our guitar technician inspects and sets up every electric guitar before sale. This includes: precise action adjustment to your playing style (we ask how you play), accurate intonation setting using proper technique and tools, fret inspection for levelness and sharp edges, electronics testing including pot function and pickup output balance, neck relief optimization for string gauge and tuning, hardware tightness check, and nut slot examination for proper string seating. Guitars requiring fret work, nut replacement, or electronics repair get that work done before they're offered for sale - we don't sell instruments with problems hoping you won't notice.
This workshop capability continues after purchase. Need lower action three months later? Pickup replacement? Fret leveling after a year of playing? Electronics modification? These aren't services we send out - our tech handles them on-site. That ongoing relationship with someone who actually knows your specific instrument because they set it up originally is the practical difference between buying from a workshop-equipped specialist versus a retail-only operation or online store.
Electric Guitar Brands We Stock - Melbourne
Schecter Guitars
Premium modern metal specifications. Hellraiser series with active EMGs and quilted maple tops, Omen entry-level solid construction, Banshee performance-focused designs, Reaper extended-range 6/7/8-string configurations. Our tech handles Schecter's specific setup requirements including active electronics battery access and set-neck adjustments.
Range: $500-$2,500 | Speciality: Modern metal, high-gain
Dean Guitars
Iconic body shapes and rock tone. ML flagship double-cutaway, V models, Razorback Dimebag signatures, Cadillac traditional designs. Set-neck construction requires specific intonation approach our tech understands. Vendetta series entry-level with Dean aesthetics.
Range: $400-$2,000 | Speciality: Hard rock, metal, classic designs
NVE Guitars - Our House Brand
$599 HSS Strat-style with professional features. We control the entire process from manufacturing through setup. HSS configuration, quality hardware, proper fret work, comfortable neck. Our tech sets up every NVE to our standards - not factory standards - before sale. Challenges guitars costing $900-$1,200.
Price: $599 | Speciality: Exceptional value, versatile HSS
Ibanez Guitars
Modern rock/metal design leaders. RG series thin Wizard necks and double-locking trems, S series ultra-thin lightweight bodies, JEM Steve Vai signatures, Prestige Japanese construction. Our tech is experienced with Edge tremolo setup and Wizard neck relief requirements.
Range: $600-$3,000 | Speciality: Fast playing, technical metal
ESP Guitars
Professional specifications, accessible prices. LTD EC-1000 mahogany set-neck with EMGs, Horizon neck-through designs, MH series compact bodies. E-II series premium Korean manufacturing. Our tech handles active electronics and Tonepros bridge setup specific to ESP.
Range: $900-$2,500 | Speciality: Metal, hard rock, professional grade
What Professional Setup Actually Means - Technical Detail
"Setup" gets used as a marketing term by retailers who don't actually do the work. Here's what our qualified guitar technician does to every electric guitar before sale, and what these adjustments actually accomplish:
Action Adjustment
String height at the 12th fret set to playing style requirements. Metal players often need slightly higher action (2.0-2.5mm bass side) to accommodate aggressive picking without fret buzz. Blues and lead players may prefer lower (1.5-2.0mm) for easier bending. We ask how you play before setting action - there's no "standard" that suits everyone.
Intonation Setting
Saddle positioning so the 12th fret harmonic matches the fretted 12th fret note on every string. Requires proper technique using an accurate tuner and understanding of how string gauge, action height, and playing technique affect intonation. Set-neck guitars have limited adjustment range - our tech knows when compensation is needed elsewhere.
Neck Relief Optimization
Slight forward bow allowing string vibration clearance in middle frets while maintaining low action at nut and upper frets. Measured with feeler gauges at the 7th-9th fret with the string fretted at 1st and last fret. Typical relief: 0.010"-0.012" depending on string gauge and playing style. Truss rod adjustment requires understanding of seasonal wood movement.
Fret Inspection
Fret levelness checked across the neck using a straight edge. High frets cause buzz and intonation problems. Sharp fret ends cause discomfort and potential cuts. Our tech identifies fret issues before sale - guitars requiring fret leveling get it done in our workshop before they're sold, not after you've discovered the problem at home.
Electronics Testing
Every pickup position tested for output, every pot tested for smooth operation without scratching, pickup selector tested for reliable switching, output jack tested for solid connection. Active pickups checked for proper battery function and compartment access. Cold solder joints and loose connections identified and repaired before sale.
Hardware Check
Tuning machine tightness, bridge saddle security, strap button security, pickup height optimization for balanced output, tremolo spring tension and balance. Locking nut guitars checked for proper clamp pressure. These details affect tuning stability, sustain, and playability but are often overlooked in factory setup.
This is qualified technical work, not "tuning and wiping down." Our guitar technician has the tools, knowledge, and experience to identify problems and fix them properly. When something needs fret work, nut replacement, or electronics repair beyond basic setup, we do that work in our workshop before the guitar goes on the sales floor. You shouldn't discover setup problems after purchase - you should receive an instrument that plays correctly from the moment you take it home.
Pickup Configurations Explained - HSS, HSH, HH
Pickup configuration determines an electric guitar's fundamental tonal range and versatility. Understanding these differences helps match instruments to musical requirements:
HSS - Humbucker Single Single
Bridge humbucker provides thick, powerful tone for rock and metal lead work and rhythm playing. Neck and middle single-coils deliver authentic Stratocaster sparkle and clarity for clean funk, blues, and classic rock rhythm tones. Our NVE HSS at $599 uses this configuration - the most versatile setup for players who need genuine single-coil clean tones AND humbucker power from one instrument.
Best for: Players who split time between clean and distorted sounds, versatile session work, players who can't afford multiple specialized guitars, beginners exploring different styles.
HSH - Humbucker Single Humbucker
Humbuckers in bridge and neck positions provide consistent high-output tone at both extremes of the pickup selector. Middle single-coil adds clarity for clean position 2/4 combinations. Common on Ibanez RG models. More consistent output across positions than HSS but less authentic single-coil character for clean tones.
Best for: Rock and metal players who want thick neck pickup lead tone, players prioritizing output consistency, styles requiring powerful tone in all positions.
HH - Humbucker Humbucker
Dual humbuckers prioritize thick, powerful tone over single-coil versatility. Standard on most Schecter, Dean, and ESP guitars. Many modern HH guitars include coil-splitting allowing approximation of single-coil tones by deactivating one coil per humbucker.
Best for: Metal, hard rock, any style prioritizing maximum output and thick tone, players who don't require authentic single-coil character.
Price Guide - Electric Guitars Melbourne
Entry Level - $399-$999
Jet Guitars, Cort entry models, Dean Vendetta, Schecter Omen. Our NVE HSS at $599 is exceptional value in this bracket - professional features typically found on $900-$1,200 instruments.
Solid construction, reliable hardware, professional setup included. Ideal for students and developing players who need playable quality without major investment.
Intermediate - $999-$3,999
Ibanez RG Standard, Schecter Banshee, ESP LTD EC/MH series, Dean ML Select, Chapman ML1/ML3.
Enhanced pickups (Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, EMG), premium hardware, set-neck or neck-through construction, compound radius fretboards, coil-splitting. Recording and performance capable.
Professional - $2,500-$8,999
Schecter Hellraiser, Ibanez Prestige, ESP E-II, Music Man USA, Heritage guitars.
Hand-selected tonewoods, premium pickups, meticulous fret work, professional setup standards. Recording and touring grade instruments with investment-level build quality.
Ongoing Service - Not Just Point of Sale
Workshop capability provides ongoing value beyond the initial purchase. Your relationship with us doesn't end when you walk out with a guitar - it begins. Our guitar technician provides:
Setup Adjustments
Action adjustments as your playing evolves, seasonal neck relief adjustments for Melbourne's humidity changes, restringing with proper stretching and setup, tremolo rebalancing for different string gauges.
Fret Work
Fret leveling and crowning, fret polishing for smooth bends, fret end dressing for sharp edges, partial or complete refrets when wear becomes significant. Done on-site in our workshop with proper tools and technique.
Electronics Work
Pickup replacement and installation, electronics upgrades and modifications, pot replacement for scratchy controls, jack repair and replacement, active pickup battery systems, custom wiring configurations.
Structural Repairs
Nut replacement and proper slotting, bridge and tailpiece work, tuning machine replacement, strap button relocation, finish touch-up, neck pocket shimming, truss rod repairs where possible.
This is the practical difference between buying from a workshop-equipped specialist versus an online retailer or retail-only store. When your guitar needs work six months or two years after purchase, we're here with the technical capability to handle it properly. That ongoing relationship - with someone who knows your specific instrument because they set it up originally - is genuine value that extends far beyond the initial transaction.
Visit Our Melbourne Showroom - Altona
Try Before You Buy - Professional Testing Environment
Our Altona showroom provides relaxed, unpressured environment for hands-on guitar comparison across our complete range
Quality Amplification
Test guitars through proper amplification that reveals their actual tonal character. Compare pickups, neck feel, and ergonomics across brands properly amplified.
Working Musicians on Staff
Advice from guitarists who play these instruments, not just sell them. Honest recommendations based on your actual playing requirements and musical direction.
Technical Expertise Present
Our guitar technician can explain setup details, discuss modifications, and answer technical questions about construction, electronics, and hardware.
Location: 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona VIC 3018
Phone: (03) 8360 7799
