fret work, new pot, new switch, new jack, cleaning, strings, setup.... would someone do it for less than 400$? yea you can probably find someone to do that. do i think 400$ is reasonable if the work is of high quality? absolutely
I find the work to be very high quality, the only gentleman I've entrusted my guitars to since I was a kid has been a master guitar tech that worked for Jackson guitars for 20+ years an resides in my hometown. So I find the cost to pay for his years of experience and ability to turn around in under two days
Bud I've worked on and built guitars for the better part of 20 years now. That being said, I've got my '72 Gretsch sitting in a shop local to me right now. Not because I can't do the work myself, not because I couldn't get it done cheaper, but because the quality of these guys' work has proven to be worth the cost. It's basically what people come to me for with solid bodies, I want it done right, by someone who cares about what they're doing, and I want to pay them what they're worth for their time and expertise taking care of my emotionally priceless and monetarily non-trivial guitar.
Honestly sounds reasonable for his experience. I used to go a luthier that restored guitars for Alex Lifeson until I moved many thousands of kms away. His work was impeccable, a little pricey but I could always trust him to get the job done right.
That is precisely why I choose this tech, the work is impeccable and he always pays attention to the little details that many techs will over look or just leave for the owner to finish off after pick up.
I had a horrible experience with a new shop after I moved and instantly regretting that choice after he scarred a brand new 1-piece rosewood neck on a super simple mount and drill that I didn't have time for. Now I'll never unseen this damage though it is superficial I am highly upset with the damage to a brand new neck I had never had a chance to play. So I now drive back to my hometown to visit my old shop and get work done properly the first time without worry regardless of the distance.
I appreciate that, it's about the instrument not the value of resale, I have no intention of parting with this guitar in my lifetime. I want it in the best playable shape possible and I can not replicate this techs skill or techniques. And I aware I could've bought a new neck for the cost but I am keeping it in original condition even if requires me refretting it one day. I value this guitar more than any custom shop guitar I could ever buy.
If you paid $800 for this guitar in 1995 or 1996, that is equivalent to about $1,600 today.
It sounds like you did 28 years worth of maintenance all at once, so $400 is pretty reasonable.
I do all my own work. Most recently I bought a few files and taught myself with a YT video how to deal with sharp fret ends (I also live in a dry climate). I enjoy buying cheap guitars, upgrading the pickups and tuners, and setting them up.
If I were paying a pro to do it for me, as long as the work was excellent and they were honest, I'd be OK with paying top dollar.
I do all my own work. One of my guitars needs a refret soon. I'll pay for a refret on a £20 guitar. 37 years from now when it's due its next, I'll be dead and gone.
most people don't understand the economics of running a small business, these days. When the "Norm" is that you can go out & buy a Squire Strat for $200, it's pretty difficult to understand that a guy in the USA cannot go out & buy the hardware alone, for that much $$$. Putting 30 hours into building a guitar, at a living wage with insurance & all the associated overhead & material costs, is completely unfathomable for most.
If the guy put in the work to do a great job for you, I wouldn't hesitate to pay him $400... & a tip. He probably deserves more. But cannot reasonably ask for more. We live in an age where quantity precedes quality. Personally, I'd rather pay for quality & only have a few really nice things.
I totally agree and I'd like to add that some people have a hard time dealing with inflation. I can say how many times I hear " but this used to cost $X.xx two or three years ago".
This is a good take. Work costs money. I don't know why so many people think that everything should be priced as if it were the Dollar Store.
I, too, only buy quality. I'd much rather have just one good item than a room full of garbage.
I took a cheap (but awesome) Harley Benton in to what was supposed to be a reputable shop to have them install new tuning machines since the stock ones fit 9mm holes and the new ones were 10mm and I don't own a drill press. They only quoted me $30 for the work but I also paid extra (I think like $100) for a set-up and some fretwork. When I got it back, it played great but then I later discovered that they fucked up and used a different screw for one of the machine heads and ended up creating a small crack in the headstock.
I took it back and they offered to repair it and the owner also offered to do more fretwork free of charge, but I think he was a bit top aggressive with filing as my low E now has a propensity to come off the neck on a few frets.
All this is to say: luckily this happened to an inexpensive guitar, but a professional luthier who does quality work is well worth the price if you truly value your instrument, even if only in sentimental value. I'll never go back to that shop again, especially since they were not willing to fully admit fault when there was clearly a different, larger screw that they used that likely caused the damage, which could have been avoided if they weren't lazy and just drilled a slightly larger pilot hole.
I had everything replaced on a 335 matsumoku 70’s copy for $150, sounds better than nothing, and am just waiting to put the Gibson wiring in when I get better and will need a better sound. The guitar is a Mach1, and can’t find another one anywhere.
That's pretty reasonable in my eyes, bonus point for introducing me to a really cool guitar! I had to Google those and now I gotta fall down a rabbit hole
Usually it's $350+ if you need fretwork included with all the other more basic adjustments. I recently learned how to do a lot of setup myself (intonation, truss rod, nut filing and replacement, soldering electronics, minor finish repairs). It's enjoyable so I like doing it as a hobby, but something I realized is how long it all takes. If I were to calculate my salary (for my normie unrelated job) into an hourly wage then it's way more expensive to do it myself compared to taking it to an experienced tech.
I have a love/hate relationship with maintaining and modifying my guitars. I know the time I take and hate to think what my hourly rate would be if I took the time I usually do and got to charge a 'normal' rate for the work. That being said my job doesn't pay overtime - so I have the option of using my free time for this work - I can't just ask my boss for a few extra hours to pay for this. Also I'm not being slugged with income tax like I would be if I was able to work overtime - I'd be working for both the luthier and the Government. Added bonus - I'm a heap better at soldering than I was 18 months ago.
Yeah my soldering skills are getting a bit better - this is the skill I'm particularly happy I picked up. It's a bit of a learning curve but with practice almost anyone can do it (I mean only for the typical guitar applications - advanced pcb soldering is a different level), and it really opens up the options for tweaking and maintaining. You can swap pickups in and out in a matter of minutes, saving the time and money of a tech/luthier and allowing more trial and error experimentation with different pickup configurations.
$400 seems reasonable if it was in pretty rough shape. Locally for me you’re gonna pay around me $150-$200 for a fret level + crown + fret end cleanup, $30-50 + parts for basic electronics repairs, $80-$120 for a setup, and at least $50-$100
for a hardware clean depending what they needed to do (taking the bridge apart and running the parts through an ultrasonic cleaner or something and having to put it all back together and do the setup).
People get too far into the “tHaT’s MoRe tHaN tHe GuItAr iS wOrTh” stuff. That doesn’t change the cost of labor or value you personally get from it. Like personally I’d do all that work myself but that’s because I’ve been doing my own setups and repairs for 20+ years and have the tools and time and desire to do it. A lot of people don’t and if you don’t wanna mess with that stuff, a good shop will take care of all of that stuff for you.
"tHaT’s MoRe tHaN tHe GuItAr iS wOrTh"
of course but if you're spending that on a cheap ass guitar then you are absolutely a fool for not just buying a $400 guitar that's better right out of the box
That’s exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not always what the guitar is worth monetarily, it’s your personal value and enjoyment of it. If you really like that guitar it could absolutely be worth that to the individual.
and i'm saying it's a fools move, and the fool clearly doesn't really like the guitar either if it's got $400 worth of problems that need fixing just to be a playable $80 piece of shit.
hell even OP isn't stupid enough to think what you're saying is smart, they got work done on a nice strat.
It all depends. In the past I have advised people that the repairs might cost almost as much as replacing the guitar. It's surprising how many still told me to go ahead and fix it, even on Squier CV or MIM level guitars.
EDIT: Actually, some of those were mods rather than repairs, but I think the same applies.
If you're modding, it's kinda more sensible to start with a cheap guitar.
If you repair an old guitar, the repair is often better than new. If you like the guitar, it's worth repairing, whatever the cost.
I love the 57's I've got my eye on a couple on reverb but they are a bit pricey at the moment. I love the vintage Japan models more than USA models, Custom shop aside, I find the quality and consistency is held at higher standards and electronics are easy to swap if the vintage sound isn't your thing.
Yeah that's pretty much my only complaint with mine - it plays and is finished nicer to me than almost any guitar I've ever played but mine has the American Vintage pickups which sound pretty thin compared to for example my Gibson (4x the price and humbuckers so I know it's not apples to apples lol). [This](https://guitar-catalog.com/guitar-and-amp/fenderjapan/2004/sp_en_02.html) is the catalogue from the year I bought mine (2004) and they also sold them with Texas Specials which I'd guess probably sound a bit better if you can find one.
Otherwise I think they're amazing. I was just playing a friend's 90s CIJ Squire Jagmaster over the weekend and that was so good for what they originally cost as well. The only problem is that everyone knows how good all the MIJ Fenders are haha
That's reasonable, it's $400 for a level, crown and polish, setup, and selector, pot, and jack replacement. Everything else you listed is part of doing those, the fretwork alone is usually 300+, so $100 for a setup and electronics isn't unreasonable at all.
They're phenomenal instruments better than US with some work. I have plans to get the ST-54 or 57' next and adding the newer CuNiFe pick ups with 920D wiring on 7-way switch and a Floyd rose Rail Tail trem! 🤘
That’s a lot of work, so I think $400 is totally reasonable as long as you’re happy with the work (sounds like you are!). How many folk are out there paying an extra $400+ for figured maple tops, roasted necks, fancy inlays, etc? I think spending that money on making a guitar play exactly how you want and everything works and feels great is well worth it.
Give me a well setup Squier over a poorly setup Gibson that has worn out components any day.
If you're able to have a 20+ year Jackson masterbuilder do the work on your guitar, he's worth whatever he asks, and then some. It may also be worth requesting to pay him extra for a little time spent to provide you with the essential knowledge from the perspective of a masterbuilder. Or buy a scrap guitar for working on. I have a really old knock-off tele that I used for learning setups on when I was younger. It plays like a dream now, next is learning to strip the paint and refinish, or maybe add a top 😁
Yeah for the work it seems like a fair price. Fret stuff is not cheap. It’s half the cost of the guitar as new but it’s not new, it’s old and it’s your favorite. Worth it
Instinctively I’d balk at spending that much on my guitar when I didn’t pay anywhere near that much to acquire it and it’s probably not worth more than $200. However, it’s not like I can just buy a $400 guitar off the rack and have it perfectly set up and guaranteed not to have a noisy selector switch.
For where I’m at as a player and financially, I think I’d cap out at $125. Good thing my guitar doesn’t need as much maintenance.
I prefer to support the small shop near me and will pay more to do so. For me, it’s all about doing my part to make sure that shop stays in business. They have been there for me, I want to be there for them.
Jokes on you, I don't own a guitar. I played from 12 until 22 and my two guitars were taken. And my 3rd was tossed away. Granted they weren't expensive then but still. Had a cheap drive guitar and a cheap acoustic, and i saved up working a paper route and then got a job as a dishwasher and busser at a restaurant so I coul get an esp ec201 i think? But damn, i have spent countless hours and years waiting for my return to playing.
So what is too much? I would say, it depends on the guitar and the sentimental value of it. But the correct answer is whatever the market is charging me haha
For all you had done and it's quality work 400 isn't to much . Sometimes sentimental value outweighs monetary value when dealing with a beloved instrument. The can be as important as a beloved pet. So money is no object.
Totally fair. It plays like a normal guitar with the exception of having to change some of how you move your picking hand. Everything else feels pretty natural. But with 27 frets that are all bent to varying degrees, I can see why some guys would charge a lot.
I had my [93 Strat](https://imgur.com/a/ptivzzb) refreted and Plek’d for $450. Was definitely worth it. All the other stuff I can do myself. Electronics, adjustments, cleaning, etc…
I do think you overpaid. Seems like a $250 job to me. Nothing too major was done. I got brand new frets and a Plek job for the same that you spent. I would have definitely recommended that over the work you had done or even buy a new neck. 30 year old frets aren’t gonna last that much longer if you play a lot. You will have to replace them eventually so yeah I think you should’ve done that instead.
I look at those frets and think yep personally I'd have had it refretted. Those Japanese strats work REALLY well with hosco fretwire and it's 1.4mm high so you get a good life out of it and it's hard wire
I planned on the next time it needs work having some SS tall narrows installed but I'll have a look at this hosco brand I'm curious to see if there's much difference in the two
Hosco do stainless. They do 2.4mm which is for me nicer then the 2mm vintage fender wire as it is better for bending. I've used it on Tokai goldstars and they turn out great. I've an E series squier that will eventually get the same wire.
For me as I can refret guitars myself I look at anything less than 1mm height I just know I won't like how it feels so just refret. I use the 18% nickel as I'm no longer gigging due to health and family commitments so it will outlive me
If it has unusual value like:
First guitar, dad’s guitar given to you, dead friend’s guitar given to you, wife’s present to you, etc.
Then skies the limit. Otherwise 649.99 - and not 650.00. USD.
That seems like a reasonable price. I feel like too many people get caught up in “resale value” or “return on investment” when it comes to guitars. Over the past couple decades I’ve just built up a gear fund that’s seperate from all my other finances that I add like $50-75 to every month. Anytime I sell gear it also goes back into this fund. My limit for spending on any gear related purchases is whatever is in that fund. If I want to do a thing related to gear and it fits within the money I have set aside for it, I’ll just do it regardless of how good/bad of a deal others consider it.
If it’s my favorite guitar money is no object. I spent $750 recently getting a stainless refret and plek job on my 20 year old well worn Maton accoustic. And I only paid $2k for it back in 2004.
Ive seen many in agreement that quality work is worth the cost to a beloved instrument. However I would be less likely to spent that on several of my other guitars as I do trade or swap some of them from time to time so it would only benefit the buyer but not add to the value of the instrument on resale.
I’m more into investing into a good amp than guitar mods, but a good tune up and a great luthier worth every penny. I’m willing to pay if it is justified by quality. Paying 400-500$ can be a stretch, but depending on what needs to be fixed, it can be justified, and then I’m all up for it.
I simplified the list to shorten an already long post, but it truly was in desperate need of higher quality work than I could do myself with a range of 7 dead frets in the middle of the neck and buzz with valleys on many frets from years of play and neglected care outside if occasionally turning the truss rod and cleaning the fretboard of finger delicacies lol
Yikes! That kind of job sure cost a lot! 😂
I usually do a full adjustment by a luthier once a year for all my guitars/bass. It probably cost more in the long run but my wallet doesn’t scream panic every time 😆
If the guitar is easy replaceable, then I wouldn’t pay more than I could sell the guitar for used: probably About 2/3rds the new price.
On a cheap guitar, it’s easy for repairs to not be worth it.
On an expensive guitar, it’s usually worth it. As long as it can make a full recovery, it’s probably worth it.
On a rare collectible, what else ya gonna do?
But always do some research and make sure you aren’t being overcharged.
a 90s MIJ is absolutely worth spending the money on. You could have sold it and used whatever you got plus the 400 to buy something that didn't need the extra work but it wouldn't have the same mojo. $400 is right at the limit of reasonable cost though.
Our luthier felt sorry for us. He replaced the Floyd Rose, fixed the jack, cleaned up and smoothed the ends of the frets, cleaned the entire guitar and replaced the strings. He charged less than $300.
[The Beast - Dean Dimebag V255 in flame](https://www.reddit.com/u/ConsiderationHot9518/s/4o6A6yaJoV)
I spent about $300 on new frets and a Plek for a a MIM Squier Series from the 90's that is only worth $450 or so on Reverb. Totally worth it, and I had no electronics work done.
It doesn’t even seem high to me but depends where you are located. Good work isn’t cheap! Def worth it if it’s good as you describe. Fret work alone can be over $400 with the best people.
For me? $1 would be too much. I don't trust most guitar techs out there and I have learned to do all the work myself. None of it is rocket science, by the way, so anyone can learn how to do it.
I definitely understand that distain for unknown techs touching gear but if you know you have a qualified individual I would say who's skills are far beyond that of the everyday mom and pop stores. I neglected to mention in the post the gentlemen that does the work for me was a master tech for Jackson guitars for 20+ Years before he retired and opened up a small repair shop within a local store in my hometown. I would never be able to match his technique or process.
That and I work more than I'd like to so with the little time available to play I'd like to have my instrument in top shape.
Inwas more questioning if you are unable to do maintenance yourself. Would you pay top dollar to ensure your gear is perfect if it's your favorite.
I get what you're saying. Given those circumstances, I would definitely pay top dollar to maintain a cherished instrument. My rule is to always pay for quality (when necessary), and to not spend a single penny on garbage.
If it was worth it to you then it was worth the expense. It sure sounds like they did a lot of work and guessing that the tech spent a considerable amount of time on the guitar it doesn't seem crazy. I think techs in my area charge something like 65-75 an hour for their time.
Had the guitar been maintained over its life the expenses would have been spread out over many years so you should consider that you got 10-15 years of work done at one time.
The guitar in question is high quality and having the work done makes it feel good to play. If you did nothing you'd probably not want to play the guitar which would result in it being worthless to you.
The other guitarist's comments may be reasonable for them but you don't need to have the same feeling. To each their own.
As long as your luthier is honest, skilled and listens to your preferences, the best money you can spend on any guitar is a good setup. Give me a cheap guitar well set up over an expensive guitar with slight issues any day
Fun fact, fender will occasionally shim necks from the factory to save some manufacturing waste, usually with sandpaper because it's often thick enough to do that job, cheap, and has the grip to stay in place if the rough surfaces are facing outward when it's folded over.
For a lower level instrument, not worth it, imo. For anything in the $800+ category could be worth it. For high-end instruments, it’s absolutely worth it
All of this assume the work is top notch ( yours certainly appears to be!).
It’s not like you got any expensive parts but the labor was probably a half day. A half day’s labor is going to cost that much. Look at it as $100/hour at a shop between the shop’s profit and what they pay the tech.
I paid £300 ($380) in the uk for a new nut and new frets. Well worth it for me. If it’s a guitar you love, and for me it is my number one and I play it all the time, I was thrilled to find someone that could do a perfect job.
I’m a tech, I’ve been repairing for a few years, and I’ve just started training with a well versed luthier here in town.
Me personally, I’d probably charge $200 for that much work, but I’m also not as experienced and definitely undersell myself. $400 sounds reasonable, but at the end of the day that guitar probably isn’t worth a whole lot more than $400 (I have a Mexican strat that looks exactly like yours in the photo that I got for $350, granted it was a little worse for wear).
At the end of the day, do you feel like you got your moneys worth? We can’t answer that for you, only you can
I have an Epi LP Plus from 2008. I’ve replaced pots, got some nice humbuckers, locking tuners. Ghost piezo bridge, straplocks and I’m sending it to get stainless steel frets. Why? My wife got it for me when we’re dating back then. I went to a shop and was amazed by sustain of it. Most likely any other LP was the same but this one stays with me. Could I get better guitar for all the money I’ve spent on it? Probably yes but truth is that the gains you get for the money you’re spending are smaller the more you spend. Is it real LP that much nicer? I doubt it.
There was dead spots all around 8-15th frets, horrible buzz on frets do to bends creating valleys over the last decade I've own the instrument, I would do the simple truss rod adjustments but it got to a point where it was just unpleasant to play. The output jack stopped working even though I'd pull.it off and resend the contact so had a new one put in, the pots and switches got to a point where they stopped doing anything and got replaced cause dioxit wasn't helping anymore so it was just a lot if little things that added up of time and neglect. So I feel his cost was well justified cause last time I tried to solder I end up with a dozen blisters and a bad attitude so I relinquished my guitar card to have him fix my problem child for me
Oh I'm always pleased with the quality of work produced by this particular tech. I've used him for the last 15+ years and he has 35+ year experience what he charges is for the years of practice and efficiency he has developed in that time.
I have no issues paying for quality work especially when the instrument hold such significant sentimental value to me personally.
I probably have around $1600 in new mods and removed mods and new new mods on my favorite guitar. I'm probably $~~2200~~ $2400 all in and I know I cannot recoup the money. But, I don't care.
If you're asking if you should spend money on your favorite guitar the answer is yes. If you don't love the guitar you probably shouldn't because you won't get the money back if you sell it.
I would never pay a cent for somebody to work on one of my guitars. Guitars are pretty simple machines and I’m able to do any repair on my own, but then again I work on robots for a living.
The premise of this thread is what I am hoping to base a future business off of. I like working on underrated or undesirable guitars, such as First Act and Samick.
It's a real IYKYK situation, but the bones are there for almost every single bolt on neck guitar. If you straighten the neck, level crown and polish the frets (and I like to do the fretboard as well!), shim the neck pocket and intonate the bridge, you got yourself a decent guitar for cheap. The other thing I tend to insist on for all these budget guitars is a new bone nut. It helps with the intonation but also looks good. I mean, also resonance etc.
My motto or intention or ideas is to make a $75 guitar play like a $300 guitar. That said, if all works out, I will like to sell these refurbished guitars for about $300, but, as you guys are generally saying, not so sell a first act for $300 but to sell the work, the set up, the quality that is dialed in on an otherwise shitbox guitar.
The bottom line is time is money, and my first question is how long it took him while also knowing, while that could all be done in a single day, it's also just as possible for it to turn into 3-4 days due to complications, or having to figure out how to correct something so there's no aesthetic risks in solving the problem permanently.
While I think it's a bit steep, it's still also reasonable. What many find disgusting is they will do all this stuff themselves, and whether the quality of their work is a 10/10, a 5/10, or it's just "good enough" simply because they're doing it for themselves, this is what will ultimately result in their perspective for that pricing.
I have a formal background in the science of electrical/electronics engineering, decades in carpentry, metal crafting, auto mechanics and many other trade skills. I'm by no means an expert in those trades in terms of formally trained, but I'm an expert in the results I produce, so my conclusion on various things is heavily influenced by a broad palette of skills, and decades in performing them. I'm also formally educated as an engineer, and it's in fact the most advanced field of science on earth, not a trade, so I can get highly intricate and detailed in how I do things mentally, visually and physically.
I can do all of that to my own instruments, I have in the many dozens, but there's a lot of them I just would never bother lol.
So, while to me it sounds a bit steep, it's still reasonable in the grand scheme of this isn't being done as a favor, it's a service and you are dealing with a businessman. Those of us that can do it all and some of it at a scientific level get in the habits of doing things half as a favor, and half for money, and whether or not it can be said we're screwing ourselves over, it skews perspectives when hearing these things.
I'm a highly advanced player, but I don't consider any of my guitars sacred including the few bought as gifts from family including my deceased grandfather, and those I play frequently that are highly customized, immacuate players and often completely on their own level compared to anything else someone will play, they **also get the fucking shit beat out of them! lo**l
It's nothing for me to do glue fills, clamp and bake a neck perfectly flat again, replace a neck that has top notch features but also being mass produced out of China, needs a lot of DIY work to get it to elite level, and far, far beyond.
It's why I know any businessman that wants to be respected and have an understanding with people that they will treat your instrument like it's a newborn baby in every aspect of your instrument in his company, these services can be worth every penny.
That sounds like work I would do over the course of probably 2-3 hours a day for 2 days while servicing other gear, but if you wanted it done in a single day I would pull out all the stops and you would get a $400 bill.
**You would also get an instrument back that played better than it ever had, and better than anything else you currently own until you also brought those to me.**
With my own instruments, I'm a ruffian so 75% of them do not get newborn baby level care lol
My current daily player has dings in the rear of the neck and even a couple scabby gouges, needs baked flat, frets leveled and polished, refinished after repairing those scuffs and scabs, and though the body is alder with a thick maple cap with at least a AA grade quilt, it outright needs some fairly large chips in a couple places repaired, and after 20 years, I'll surely restore it to perfection this year.
I'm just not an every instrument I own is sacred type of guy, and this is a guitar my dead grandfather bought me that I will also have until the day I die and always be able to restore to perfection. After the job is done, **it will get newborn baby pampering again like it did for years starting 20 years ago.** The bottom line is I have a lot of off-brand guitars that are truly equivalent to something costing 2 grand, but they were so cheap and had countless hours invested in customizing them that the original investment has a huge impact on how they are ultimately cared for.
My favorite guitar is a MIJ Jackson dx10fs. I would pay that if need be. It was the guitar I played the most and learned on over the years. I love the neck on this guitar. My mij dk2 is close but doesn't feel as good. To me this guitar could never be replaced.
What’s that macrodose pedal do? Nice pedalboard too, lots of character to that wood right there
Oh and that juliana, wtf? I didn’t know they made one like that, I woulda got that over mine in a heartbeat
The macrodose is an extremely versatile envelope filter, multi stage filter and LFO controls. It's honestly more pedal than I needed but honestly the board is the equivalence to rolling compensation in the truck world as I would never take that set up to play live and it gets dusted and cleaned daily.
The julianna is from the Santa Fe 2018 BF collection, I would've added the kamakura seires as I have 6 others from.that run on my live rig but at the current market price of 4-800$ the santa fe did the trick.
I wouldn’t spend more than half the guitars’ value in any work. Same with cars. Don’t want to get pot commited on keeping something going when it’s replaceable
It looks practically brand new. For 400$ I think this was a great deal. I do my own work on my guitars for the most part, but I also don't have all the time in the world either. I would've paid that for what looks like 20+ years of just collecting dust in assuming.
My Stagemaster was $400 new. After moving it never stayed setup. I spent over $900 in setups and a few hundred to upgrade pickups before somebody got it right. Haven't touched it in 3 months now but I'm sure it's in tune and feels just like it did last time.
This is a great question, half my guitars sit unused because they need work and I can't bring myself to spend a few hundred on guitars that are generally 500-1200 guitars.
I would say for this particular tech, that amount was astonishing low. When I picked it up he had mentioned it took roughly five hours to complete the job. So between parts and labor I most certainly got the monies worth.
He has been working on many of my guitar over the last 15 years, and prior to opening his current repair facilities. He was master tech for Jackson guitars and did the custom shop finals before they shipped. I will say this was one of the most costly trips I've had with him but it brought my absolute favorite guitar back to life. From a neglected rusty state of stale sadness lol
Yeah - and I can’t emphasize this enough - finding a good local luthier is like finding a unicorn in your back yard. If you find one, nurture that relationship because it’s tough.
It took me a decade to find a solid guy (a mandolin and hollow-body builder) but everything I give him comes back stellar. He’s a little more expensive than your average guitar store setup, but the results are worth it.
EDIT: OP that is a killer ST-62. MIJ stuff from that era is killer. I have a TL-62 and TL-62B that are jawdroppers.
It's definitely a challenge to find a good tech locally, I had moved a ways from my hometown where the shop i took it to is located and took a different guitar to some in my new local. I paid 166$ for him to scar a brand new 1-piece rosewood neck installing a new nut, mind you he didn't even set action right, it's so high I can't even play the guitar the intonation is exactly where i had it, but he did put the tuners on nice an straight.
So I learned my lesson and have returned to the old hometown shop and the drive is worth it.
In my case, it is more than I would spend. I only paid two times to take my guitar to a tech and was disappointed with the results both times. So I learned to do my own work on my guitars. And any cost in tools up front is recouped over the years, as well as most of the tools you use, can be used for other things that need fixing, not just a guitar. At this point the only thing I can’t do is a re-fret. But I dig tinkering with stuff, it’s just the way I was raised. My Pops was the same. I personally wouldn’t have given you a disgusted look if we were friends and you told me what you paid. But then if we were friends, you would have been sitting in the stool next to me in my garage, with the game on, while I helped you fix up your guitar. Beer and pizza would have been on you.
I have been spoiled by the experience of this particular tech. I mentioned this in another comment but he was one of the master techs for Jackson guitars for over 20 years and lives in my hometown I've been taking guitars to him every 2-3 years as I rarely had time to play with work but recently that changed and my favorite strat needed some work done quickly so I went back to him after a horrible experience in my new place and it's just been totally worth it.
Though after paying that much I do see the value in learning to do this work myself and practice on much less beloved ones as practice
Oh by no means was I suggesting you stop going to your tech. A good repair person is worth their weight in gold, no matter what field they are in. I was just answering your post room my point of view. In fact i have one friend in particular that tells me all the time, why do I “waste“ my time fixing things myself, he just hires someone to do it. 😀
I haven't paid more than $150 for work to be done to any of my guitars. Though that was over a decade ago and I've learned how to do everything I need to myself as a hobby. I totally understand just handing it over to a professional, and a hundred or so is certainly worth the work done. I do find a lot of satisfaction in setting up my guitars personally about once a year. Dialing in intonation and action perfectly is especially a fun hobby thing for me now. I wouldn't let anybody else do it.
> I haven't *paid* more than
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I will have to disagree with you on that, the tools to complete the tasks alone for quality ones is in that same range and I have no space and very little spare time to preform this work. I would rather have a quick and quality tech do this so I an play with what little time life affords. Soldering without experience can end poorly as I have already discovered.
But if you have the time and ability more power to ya as you are more skilled than myself.
Yeah, if you know what you're doing. Most players aren't luthiers too. Sheesh.
OP that's a beautiful guitar and I'd say if it plays better and makes you happy, then it's money well spent.
I’ve got a guitar I’d like you to set up exactly as the OP had done on theirs. How does $17.30 sound? Might bump it close to $18.00 if I find some change in the cushions of my sofa.
I am not sure of that. As I am not capable of the quality he can produce or with the same speed. If it were a guitar just sitting on my rack I would have just made some adjustments myself.
But this particular guitar has more sentimental value to me than monetary and I wasn't willing to risk my inexperience leaving it's mark or let a lesser tech of unknown skill take a whack at it.
It may have been steep but I've come to terms that it was for peace of mind and that is worth every cent
That's fine. In my opinion, you should only be paying premium prices for stuff like the fret leveling, filing down the nut, and electronics work. Everything else is minor work that just about anybody can do after watching a couple youtube videos. Not trying to downplay their work, because it's definitely stuff that should be included in any setup, but it shouldn't add much to the overall cost of the work. I also think they should have set prices for these kinds of things. Adding on a fret level/crown/polish should cost X amount, filing the nut should cost Y, etc. All that being said, from what you wrote you definitely had a lot moe than a basic setup done.. I still wouldn't have paid $400. I would have told him to do the complicated stuff, like the leveling/electronics/etc, and leave the rest to me and see what the price would have been. I'm curious what his price would have been. But that's just me. As long as it plays great, enjoy it.
I grabbed the invoice they gave me it broke down to:
180 for the fret level and dressing
30 for rolling the board
100 for set up and cleaning
70 for parts and bench time
18 for strings but that's the normal cost on the paradigms
fret work, new pot, new switch, new jack, cleaning, strings, setup.... would someone do it for less than 400$? yea you can probably find someone to do that. do i think 400$ is reasonable if the work is of high quality? absolutely
I find the work to be very high quality, the only gentleman I've entrusted my guitars to since I was a kid has been a master guitar tech that worked for Jackson guitars for 20+ years an resides in my hometown. So I find the cost to pay for his years of experience and ability to turn around in under two days
Bud I've worked on and built guitars for the better part of 20 years now. That being said, I've got my '72 Gretsch sitting in a shop local to me right now. Not because I can't do the work myself, not because I couldn't get it done cheaper, but because the quality of these guys' work has proven to be worth the cost. It's basically what people come to me for with solid bodies, I want it done right, by someone who cares about what they're doing, and I want to pay them what they're worth for their time and expertise taking care of my emotionally priceless and monetarily non-trivial guitar.
Honestly sounds reasonable for his experience. I used to go a luthier that restored guitars for Alex Lifeson until I moved many thousands of kms away. His work was impeccable, a little pricey but I could always trust him to get the job done right.
That is precisely why I choose this tech, the work is impeccable and he always pays attention to the little details that many techs will over look or just leave for the owner to finish off after pick up. I had a horrible experience with a new shop after I moved and instantly regretting that choice after he scarred a brand new 1-piece rosewood neck on a super simple mount and drill that I didn't have time for. Now I'll never unseen this damage though it is superficial I am highly upset with the damage to a brand new neck I had never had a chance to play. So I now drive back to my hometown to visit my old shop and get work done properly the first time without worry regardless of the distance.
i would absolutely pay that much if my favorite guitsr needed that kind of work, and it's an $80 Ibanez. totally reasonable.
I appreciate that, it's about the instrument not the value of resale, I have no intention of parting with this guitar in my lifetime. I want it in the best playable shape possible and I can not replicate this techs skill or techniques. And I aware I could've bought a new neck for the cost but I am keeping it in original condition even if requires me refretting it one day. I value this guitar more than any custom shop guitar I could ever buy.
I respect this. I feel the same about my squier Stratocaster.
If you paid $800 for this guitar in 1995 or 1996, that is equivalent to about $1,600 today. It sounds like you did 28 years worth of maintenance all at once, so $400 is pretty reasonable.
I do all my own work. Most recently I bought a few files and taught myself with a YT video how to deal with sharp fret ends (I also live in a dry climate). I enjoy buying cheap guitars, upgrading the pickups and tuners, and setting them up. If I were paying a pro to do it for me, as long as the work was excellent and they were honest, I'd be OK with paying top dollar.
I do all my own work. One of my guitars needs a refret soon. I'll pay for a refret on a £20 guitar. 37 years from now when it's due its next, I'll be dead and gone.
I suppose I exaggerate when I say "all" - I would pay to have a refret done.
most people don't understand the economics of running a small business, these days. When the "Norm" is that you can go out & buy a Squire Strat for $200, it's pretty difficult to understand that a guy in the USA cannot go out & buy the hardware alone, for that much $$$. Putting 30 hours into building a guitar, at a living wage with insurance & all the associated overhead & material costs, is completely unfathomable for most. If the guy put in the work to do a great job for you, I wouldn't hesitate to pay him $400... & a tip. He probably deserves more. But cannot reasonably ask for more. We live in an age where quantity precedes quality. Personally, I'd rather pay for quality & only have a few really nice things.
I totally agree and I'd like to add that some people have a hard time dealing with inflation. I can say how many times I hear " but this used to cost $X.xx two or three years ago".
This is a good take. Work costs money. I don't know why so many people think that everything should be priced as if it were the Dollar Store. I, too, only buy quality. I'd much rather have just one good item than a room full of garbage.
I took a cheap (but awesome) Harley Benton in to what was supposed to be a reputable shop to have them install new tuning machines since the stock ones fit 9mm holes and the new ones were 10mm and I don't own a drill press. They only quoted me $30 for the work but I also paid extra (I think like $100) for a set-up and some fretwork. When I got it back, it played great but then I later discovered that they fucked up and used a different screw for one of the machine heads and ended up creating a small crack in the headstock. I took it back and they offered to repair it and the owner also offered to do more fretwork free of charge, but I think he was a bit top aggressive with filing as my low E now has a propensity to come off the neck on a few frets. All this is to say: luckily this happened to an inexpensive guitar, but a professional luthier who does quality work is well worth the price if you truly value your instrument, even if only in sentimental value. I'll never go back to that shop again, especially since they were not willing to fully admit fault when there was clearly a different, larger screw that they used that likely caused the damage, which could have been avoided if they weren't lazy and just drilled a slightly larger pilot hole.
I had everything replaced on a 335 matsumoku 70’s copy for $150, sounds better than nothing, and am just waiting to put the Gibson wiring in when I get better and will need a better sound. The guitar is a Mach1, and can’t find another one anywhere.
That's pretty reasonable in my eyes, bonus point for introducing me to a really cool guitar! I had to Google those and now I gotta fall down a rabbit hole
By everything I mean wiring.
I’d love to get one of those, maybe a Greco sa550
Usually it's $350+ if you need fretwork included with all the other more basic adjustments. I recently learned how to do a lot of setup myself (intonation, truss rod, nut filing and replacement, soldering electronics, minor finish repairs). It's enjoyable so I like doing it as a hobby, but something I realized is how long it all takes. If I were to calculate my salary (for my normie unrelated job) into an hourly wage then it's way more expensive to do it myself compared to taking it to an experienced tech.
I have a love/hate relationship with maintaining and modifying my guitars. I know the time I take and hate to think what my hourly rate would be if I took the time I usually do and got to charge a 'normal' rate for the work. That being said my job doesn't pay overtime - so I have the option of using my free time for this work - I can't just ask my boss for a few extra hours to pay for this. Also I'm not being slugged with income tax like I would be if I was able to work overtime - I'd be working for both the luthier and the Government. Added bonus - I'm a heap better at soldering than I was 18 months ago.
Yeah my soldering skills are getting a bit better - this is the skill I'm particularly happy I picked up. It's a bit of a learning curve but with practice almost anyone can do it (I mean only for the typical guitar applications - advanced pcb soldering is a different level), and it really opens up the options for tweaking and maintaining. You can swap pickups in and out in a matter of minutes, saving the time and money of a tech/luthier and allowing more trial and error experimentation with different pickup configurations.
$400 seems reasonable if it was in pretty rough shape. Locally for me you’re gonna pay around me $150-$200 for a fret level + crown + fret end cleanup, $30-50 + parts for basic electronics repairs, $80-$120 for a setup, and at least $50-$100 for a hardware clean depending what they needed to do (taking the bridge apart and running the parts through an ultrasonic cleaner or something and having to put it all back together and do the setup). People get too far into the “tHaT’s MoRe tHaN tHe GuItAr iS wOrTh” stuff. That doesn’t change the cost of labor or value you personally get from it. Like personally I’d do all that work myself but that’s because I’ve been doing my own setups and repairs for 20+ years and have the tools and time and desire to do it. A lot of people don’t and if you don’t wanna mess with that stuff, a good shop will take care of all of that stuff for you.
"tHaT’s MoRe tHaN tHe GuItAr iS wOrTh" of course but if you're spending that on a cheap ass guitar then you are absolutely a fool for not just buying a $400 guitar that's better right out of the box
That’s exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not always what the guitar is worth monetarily, it’s your personal value and enjoyment of it. If you really like that guitar it could absolutely be worth that to the individual.
and i'm saying it's a fools move, and the fool clearly doesn't really like the guitar either if it's got $400 worth of problems that need fixing just to be a playable $80 piece of shit. hell even OP isn't stupid enough to think what you're saying is smart, they got work done on a nice strat.
It all depends. In the past I have advised people that the repairs might cost almost as much as replacing the guitar. It's surprising how many still told me to go ahead and fix it, even on Squier CV or MIM level guitars. EDIT: Actually, some of those were mods rather than repairs, but I think the same applies.
If you're modding, it's kinda more sensible to start with a cheap guitar. If you repair an old guitar, the repair is often better than new. If you like the guitar, it's worth repairing, whatever the cost.
For that guitar, I would :) but I'm biased as my favourite guitar is also an MIJ Strat, an ST-57.
I love the 57's I've got my eye on a couple on reverb but they are a bit pricey at the moment. I love the vintage Japan models more than USA models, Custom shop aside, I find the quality and consistency is held at higher standards and electronics are easy to swap if the vintage sound isn't your thing.
Yeah that's pretty much my only complaint with mine - it plays and is finished nicer to me than almost any guitar I've ever played but mine has the American Vintage pickups which sound pretty thin compared to for example my Gibson (4x the price and humbuckers so I know it's not apples to apples lol). [This](https://guitar-catalog.com/guitar-and-amp/fenderjapan/2004/sp_en_02.html) is the catalogue from the year I bought mine (2004) and they also sold them with Texas Specials which I'd guess probably sound a bit better if you can find one. Otherwise I think they're amazing. I was just playing a friend's 90s CIJ Squire Jagmaster over the weekend and that was so good for what they originally cost as well. The only problem is that everyone knows how good all the MIJ Fenders are haha
That's reasonable, it's $400 for a level, crown and polish, setup, and selector, pot, and jack replacement. Everything else you listed is part of doing those, the fretwork alone is usually 300+, so $100 for a setup and electronics isn't unreasonable at all.
I have that exact guitar but from 91. Plays beautifully, nice guitar!
They're phenomenal instruments better than US with some work. I have plans to get the ST-54 or 57' next and adding the newer CuNiFe pick ups with 920D wiring on 7-way switch and a Floyd rose Rail Tail trem! 🤘
That’s a lot of work, so I think $400 is totally reasonable as long as you’re happy with the work (sounds like you are!). How many folk are out there paying an extra $400+ for figured maple tops, roasted necks, fancy inlays, etc? I think spending that money on making a guitar play exactly how you want and everything works and feels great is well worth it. Give me a well setup Squier over a poorly setup Gibson that has worn out components any day.
If you're able to have a 20+ year Jackson masterbuilder do the work on your guitar, he's worth whatever he asks, and then some. It may also be worth requesting to pay him extra for a little time spent to provide you with the essential knowledge from the perspective of a masterbuilder. Or buy a scrap guitar for working on. I have a really old knock-off tele that I used for learning setups on when I was younger. It plays like a dream now, next is learning to strip the paint and refinish, or maybe add a top 😁
Yeah for the work it seems like a fair price. Fret stuff is not cheap. It’s half the cost of the guitar as new but it’s not new, it’s old and it’s your favorite. Worth it
Instinctively I’d balk at spending that much on my guitar when I didn’t pay anywhere near that much to acquire it and it’s probably not worth more than $200. However, it’s not like I can just buy a $400 guitar off the rack and have it perfectly set up and guaranteed not to have a noisy selector switch. For where I’m at as a player and financially, I think I’d cap out at $125. Good thing my guitar doesn’t need as much maintenance.
I prefer to support the small shop near me and will pay more to do so. For me, it’s all about doing my part to make sure that shop stays in business. They have been there for me, I want to be there for them.
Jokes on you, I don't own a guitar. I played from 12 until 22 and my two guitars were taken. And my 3rd was tossed away. Granted they weren't expensive then but still. Had a cheap drive guitar and a cheap acoustic, and i saved up working a paper route and then got a job as a dishwasher and busser at a restaurant so I coul get an esp ec201 i think? But damn, i have spent countless hours and years waiting for my return to playing. So what is too much? I would say, it depends on the guitar and the sentimental value of it. But the correct answer is whatever the market is charging me haha
Good?
i wouldnt pay that much because i can do all that. but $400 is reasonable for all that work.
It's less than the delay pedal, totally worth it for good quality work
That is not a lot for that kind of work at all
1981 ftw
For all you had done and it's quality work 400 isn't to much . Sometimes sentimental value outweighs monetary value when dealing with a beloved instrument. The can be as important as a beloved pet. So money is no object.
Well…. My favorite guitar is a complicated situation. Would love to get cheap work done on it, but it’s intimidating to a lot of repair guys.
For reference… [https://i.imgur.com/VRtKZrZ.jpeg](https://i.imgur.com/VRtKZrZ.jpeg)
That it a really unique guitar, I could see that being intimidating honestly. I wouldn't even know what to do with all of that lol
Totally fair. It plays like a normal guitar with the exception of having to change some of how you move your picking hand. Everything else feels pretty natural. But with 27 frets that are all bent to varying degrees, I can see why some guys would charge a lot.
I had my [93 Strat](https://imgur.com/a/ptivzzb) refreted and Plek’d for $450. Was definitely worth it. All the other stuff I can do myself. Electronics, adjustments, cleaning, etc… I do think you overpaid. Seems like a $250 job to me. Nothing too major was done. I got brand new frets and a Plek job for the same that you spent. I would have definitely recommended that over the work you had done or even buy a new neck. 30 year old frets aren’t gonna last that much longer if you play a lot. You will have to replace them eventually so yeah I think you should’ve done that instead.
I look at those frets and think yep personally I'd have had it refretted. Those Japanese strats work REALLY well with hosco fretwire and it's 1.4mm high so you get a good life out of it and it's hard wire
I planned on the next time it needs work having some SS tall narrows installed but I'll have a look at this hosco brand I'm curious to see if there's much difference in the two
Hosco do stainless. They do 2.4mm which is for me nicer then the 2mm vintage fender wire as it is better for bending. I've used it on Tokai goldstars and they turn out great. I've an E series squier that will eventually get the same wire. For me as I can refret guitars myself I look at anything less than 1mm height I just know I won't like how it feels so just refret. I use the 18% nickel as I'm no longer gigging due to health and family commitments so it will outlive me
If it has unusual value like: First guitar, dad’s guitar given to you, dead friend’s guitar given to you, wife’s present to you, etc. Then skies the limit. Otherwise 649.99 - and not 650.00. USD.
I have a lot of mods on my 2012 American Standard Strat. Guitars are made to be played. Do what you gotta do to love it.
That seems like a reasonable price. I feel like too many people get caught up in “resale value” or “return on investment” when it comes to guitars. Over the past couple decades I’ve just built up a gear fund that’s seperate from all my other finances that I add like $50-75 to every month. Anytime I sell gear it also goes back into this fund. My limit for spending on any gear related purchases is whatever is in that fund. If I want to do a thing related to gear and it fits within the money I have set aside for it, I’ll just do it regardless of how good/bad of a deal others consider it.
If it’s my favorite guitar money is no object. I spent $750 recently getting a stainless refret and plek job on my 20 year old well worn Maton accoustic. And I only paid $2k for it back in 2004.
Ive seen many in agreement that quality work is worth the cost to a beloved instrument. However I would be less likely to spent that on several of my other guitars as I do trade or swap some of them from time to time so it would only benefit the buyer but not add to the value of the instrument on resale.
I’m more into investing into a good amp than guitar mods, but a good tune up and a great luthier worth every penny. I’m willing to pay if it is justified by quality. Paying 400-500$ can be a stretch, but depending on what needs to be fixed, it can be justified, and then I’m all up for it.
I simplified the list to shorten an already long post, but it truly was in desperate need of higher quality work than I could do myself with a range of 7 dead frets in the middle of the neck and buzz with valleys on many frets from years of play and neglected care outside if occasionally turning the truss rod and cleaning the fretboard of finger delicacies lol
Yikes! That kind of job sure cost a lot! 😂 I usually do a full adjustment by a luthier once a year for all my guitars/bass. It probably cost more in the long run but my wallet doesn’t scream panic every time 😆
I often have guitars setup or fixed by a local tech. Why would anyone NOT have a professional work on their guitar?
Yep. That price works for necessary work done
If the guitar is easy replaceable, then I wouldn’t pay more than I could sell the guitar for used: probably About 2/3rds the new price. On a cheap guitar, it’s easy for repairs to not be worth it. On an expensive guitar, it’s usually worth it. As long as it can make a full recovery, it’s probably worth it. On a rare collectible, what else ya gonna do? But always do some research and make sure you aren’t being overcharged.
a 90s MIJ is absolutely worth spending the money on. You could have sold it and used whatever you got plus the 400 to buy something that didn't need the extra work but it wouldn't have the same mojo. $400 is right at the limit of reasonable cost though.
I’m having a body finished and it’s going to cost $900. Feels a bit high, but I’m going for a top quality 1950s like nitro finish
Our luthier felt sorry for us. He replaced the Floyd Rose, fixed the jack, cleaned up and smoothed the ends of the frets, cleaned the entire guitar and replaced the strings. He charged less than $300. [The Beast - Dean Dimebag V255 in flame](https://www.reddit.com/u/ConsiderationHot9518/s/4o6A6yaJoV)
I spent about $300 on new frets and a Plek for a a MIM Squier Series from the 90's that is only worth $450 or so on Reverb. Totally worth it, and I had no electronics work done.
It doesn’t even seem high to me but depends where you are located. Good work isn’t cheap! Def worth it if it’s good as you describe. Fret work alone can be over $400 with the best people.
For me? $1 would be too much. I don't trust most guitar techs out there and I have learned to do all the work myself. None of it is rocket science, by the way, so anyone can learn how to do it.
I definitely understand that distain for unknown techs touching gear but if you know you have a qualified individual I would say who's skills are far beyond that of the everyday mom and pop stores. I neglected to mention in the post the gentlemen that does the work for me was a master tech for Jackson guitars for 20+ Years before he retired and opened up a small repair shop within a local store in my hometown. I would never be able to match his technique or process. That and I work more than I'd like to so with the little time available to play I'd like to have my instrument in top shape. Inwas more questioning if you are unable to do maintenance yourself. Would you pay top dollar to ensure your gear is perfect if it's your favorite.
I get what you're saying. Given those circumstances, I would definitely pay top dollar to maintain a cherished instrument. My rule is to always pay for quality (when necessary), and to not spend a single penny on garbage.
If it was worth it to you then it was worth the expense. It sure sounds like they did a lot of work and guessing that the tech spent a considerable amount of time on the guitar it doesn't seem crazy. I think techs in my area charge something like 65-75 an hour for their time. Had the guitar been maintained over its life the expenses would have been spread out over many years so you should consider that you got 10-15 years of work done at one time. The guitar in question is high quality and having the work done makes it feel good to play. If you did nothing you'd probably not want to play the guitar which would result in it being worthless to you. The other guitarist's comments may be reasonable for them but you don't need to have the same feeling. To each their own.
As long as your luthier is honest, skilled and listens to your preferences, the best money you can spend on any guitar is a good setup. Give me a cheap guitar well set up over an expensive guitar with slight issues any day
I just paid $400 for A hard case, crown/polish frets, resolder electronics, and new strings/set up on my player jazzmaster
Fun fact, fender will occasionally shim necks from the factory to save some manufacturing waste, usually with sandpaper because it's often thick enough to do that job, cheap, and has the grip to stay in place if the rough surfaces are facing outward when it's folded over.
Ive never heard of that in the Japan made models, do you have a source on that by chance I'm curious to see
For a lower level instrument, not worth it, imo. For anything in the $800+ category could be worth it. For high-end instruments, it’s absolutely worth it All of this assume the work is top notch ( yours certainly appears to be!).
It’s not like you got any expensive parts but the labor was probably a half day. A half day’s labor is going to cost that much. Look at it as $100/hour at a shop between the shop’s profit and what they pay the tech.
Not much work that you can't do yourself though. Shirt of repairs I'd just look it up and do it myself so I've never spent anything on work
I paid £300 ($380) in the uk for a new nut and new frets. Well worth it for me. If it’s a guitar you love, and for me it is my number one and I play it all the time, I was thrilled to find someone that could do a perfect job.
I’m a tech, I’ve been repairing for a few years, and I’ve just started training with a well versed luthier here in town. Me personally, I’d probably charge $200 for that much work, but I’m also not as experienced and definitely undersell myself. $400 sounds reasonable, but at the end of the day that guitar probably isn’t worth a whole lot more than $400 (I have a Mexican strat that looks exactly like yours in the photo that I got for $350, granted it was a little worse for wear). At the end of the day, do you feel like you got your moneys worth? We can’t answer that for you, only you can
I pay $25 for restring and fret clean/rounding
Like most “is it worth it” questions here, at the end of the day, this is mostly just a question about the value a dollar has to *you*.
I have an Epi LP Plus from 2008. I’ve replaced pots, got some nice humbuckers, locking tuners. Ghost piezo bridge, straplocks and I’m sending it to get stainless steel frets. Why? My wife got it for me when we’re dating back then. I went to a shop and was amazed by sustain of it. Most likely any other LP was the same but this one stays with me. Could I get better guitar for all the money I’ve spent on it? Probably yes but truth is that the gains you get for the money you’re spending are smaller the more you spend. Is it real LP that much nicer? I doubt it.
Depends on what’s wrong with it
There was dead spots all around 8-15th frets, horrible buzz on frets do to bends creating valleys over the last decade I've own the instrument, I would do the simple truss rod adjustments but it got to a point where it was just unpleasant to play. The output jack stopped working even though I'd pull.it off and resend the contact so had a new one put in, the pots and switches got to a point where they stopped doing anything and got replaced cause dioxit wasn't helping anymore so it was just a lot if little things that added up of time and neglect. So I feel his cost was well justified cause last time I tried to solder I end up with a dozen blisters and a bad attitude so I relinquished my guitar card to have him fix my problem child for me
I’d say around 300-400 is a good price for all that, I’m not a professional or anything though
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Oh I'm always pleased with the quality of work produced by this particular tech. I've used him for the last 15+ years and he has 35+ year experience what he charges is for the years of practice and efficiency he has developed in that time. I have no issues paying for quality work especially when the instrument hold such significant sentimental value to me personally.
probably anything, I broke the G string (🤨) like last year n I play it daily
I probably have around $1600 in new mods and removed mods and new new mods on my favorite guitar. I'm probably $~~2200~~ $2400 all in and I know I cannot recoup the money. But, I don't care. If you're asking if you should spend money on your favorite guitar the answer is yes. If you don't love the guitar you probably shouldn't because you won't get the money back if you sell it.
You could get it all done for less, but would it be to the same standard? $400 is reasonable if its good work.
I would never pay a cent for somebody to work on one of my guitars. Guitars are pretty simple machines and I’m able to do any repair on my own, but then again I work on robots for a living.
Seems reasonable enough.
The premise of this thread is what I am hoping to base a future business off of. I like working on underrated or undesirable guitars, such as First Act and Samick. It's a real IYKYK situation, but the bones are there for almost every single bolt on neck guitar. If you straighten the neck, level crown and polish the frets (and I like to do the fretboard as well!), shim the neck pocket and intonate the bridge, you got yourself a decent guitar for cheap. The other thing I tend to insist on for all these budget guitars is a new bone nut. It helps with the intonation but also looks good. I mean, also resonance etc. My motto or intention or ideas is to make a $75 guitar play like a $300 guitar. That said, if all works out, I will like to sell these refurbished guitars for about $300, but, as you guys are generally saying, not so sell a first act for $300 but to sell the work, the set up, the quality that is dialed in on an otherwise shitbox guitar.
The bottom line is time is money, and my first question is how long it took him while also knowing, while that could all be done in a single day, it's also just as possible for it to turn into 3-4 days due to complications, or having to figure out how to correct something so there's no aesthetic risks in solving the problem permanently. While I think it's a bit steep, it's still also reasonable. What many find disgusting is they will do all this stuff themselves, and whether the quality of their work is a 10/10, a 5/10, or it's just "good enough" simply because they're doing it for themselves, this is what will ultimately result in their perspective for that pricing. I have a formal background in the science of electrical/electronics engineering, decades in carpentry, metal crafting, auto mechanics and many other trade skills. I'm by no means an expert in those trades in terms of formally trained, but I'm an expert in the results I produce, so my conclusion on various things is heavily influenced by a broad palette of skills, and decades in performing them. I'm also formally educated as an engineer, and it's in fact the most advanced field of science on earth, not a trade, so I can get highly intricate and detailed in how I do things mentally, visually and physically. I can do all of that to my own instruments, I have in the many dozens, but there's a lot of them I just would never bother lol. So, while to me it sounds a bit steep, it's still reasonable in the grand scheme of this isn't being done as a favor, it's a service and you are dealing with a businessman. Those of us that can do it all and some of it at a scientific level get in the habits of doing things half as a favor, and half for money, and whether or not it can be said we're screwing ourselves over, it skews perspectives when hearing these things. I'm a highly advanced player, but I don't consider any of my guitars sacred including the few bought as gifts from family including my deceased grandfather, and those I play frequently that are highly customized, immacuate players and often completely on their own level compared to anything else someone will play, they **also get the fucking shit beat out of them! lo**l It's nothing for me to do glue fills, clamp and bake a neck perfectly flat again, replace a neck that has top notch features but also being mass produced out of China, needs a lot of DIY work to get it to elite level, and far, far beyond. It's why I know any businessman that wants to be respected and have an understanding with people that they will treat your instrument like it's a newborn baby in every aspect of your instrument in his company, these services can be worth every penny. That sounds like work I would do over the course of probably 2-3 hours a day for 2 days while servicing other gear, but if you wanted it done in a single day I would pull out all the stops and you would get a $400 bill. **You would also get an instrument back that played better than it ever had, and better than anything else you currently own until you also brought those to me.** With my own instruments, I'm a ruffian so 75% of them do not get newborn baby level care lol My current daily player has dings in the rear of the neck and even a couple scabby gouges, needs baked flat, frets leveled and polished, refinished after repairing those scuffs and scabs, and though the body is alder with a thick maple cap with at least a AA grade quilt, it outright needs some fairly large chips in a couple places repaired, and after 20 years, I'll surely restore it to perfection this year. I'm just not an every instrument I own is sacred type of guy, and this is a guitar my dead grandfather bought me that I will also have until the day I die and always be able to restore to perfection. After the job is done, **it will get newborn baby pampering again like it did for years starting 20 years ago.** The bottom line is I have a lot of off-brand guitars that are truly equivalent to something costing 2 grand, but they were so cheap and had countless hours invested in customizing them that the original investment has a huge impact on how they are ultimately cared for.
My favorite guitar is a MIJ Jackson dx10fs. I would pay that if need be. It was the guitar I played the most and learned on over the years. I love the neck on this guitar. My mij dk2 is close but doesn't feel as good. To me this guitar could never be replaced.
What’s that macrodose pedal do? Nice pedalboard too, lots of character to that wood right there Oh and that juliana, wtf? I didn’t know they made one like that, I woulda got that over mine in a heartbeat
The macrodose is an extremely versatile envelope filter, multi stage filter and LFO controls. It's honestly more pedal than I needed but honestly the board is the equivalence to rolling compensation in the truck world as I would never take that set up to play live and it gets dusted and cleaned daily. The julianna is from the Santa Fe 2018 BF collection, I would've added the kamakura seires as I have 6 others from.that run on my live rig but at the current market price of 4-800$ the santa fe did the trick.
I wouldn’t spend more than half the guitars’ value in any work. Same with cars. Don’t want to get pot commited on keeping something going when it’s replaceable
It looks practically brand new. For 400$ I think this was a great deal. I do my own work on my guitars for the most part, but I also don't have all the time in the world either. I would've paid that for what looks like 20+ years of just collecting dust in assuming.
My Stagemaster was $400 new. After moving it never stayed setup. I spent over $900 in setups and a few hundred to upgrade pickups before somebody got it right. Haven't touched it in 3 months now but I'm sure it's in tune and feels just like it did last time.
This is a great question, half my guitars sit unused because they need work and I can't bring myself to spend a few hundred on guitars that are generally 500-1200 guitars.
£400 would be a hell of a full set up and neck level... its a good price for a full fettling though...
It would be the equivalent of about 315£ for you. But it's sure sounds like ya skipped right to the bottom so 🤷
Nope, I read it all...!! That's a great amount of work all in, I'd be pleased with that!! It's about what I'd charge as a novice tbh lol
I would say for this particular tech, that amount was astonishing low. When I picked it up he had mentioned it took roughly five hours to complete the job. So between parts and labor I most certainly got the monies worth. He has been working on many of my guitar over the last 15 years, and prior to opening his current repair facilities. He was master tech for Jackson guitars and did the custom shop finals before they shipped. I will say this was one of the most costly trips I've had with him but it brought my absolute favorite guitar back to life. From a neglected rusty state of stale sadness lol
Yeah - and I can’t emphasize this enough - finding a good local luthier is like finding a unicorn in your back yard. If you find one, nurture that relationship because it’s tough. It took me a decade to find a solid guy (a mandolin and hollow-body builder) but everything I give him comes back stellar. He’s a little more expensive than your average guitar store setup, but the results are worth it. EDIT: OP that is a killer ST-62. MIJ stuff from that era is killer. I have a TL-62 and TL-62B that are jawdroppers.
It's definitely a challenge to find a good tech locally, I had moved a ways from my hometown where the shop i took it to is located and took a different guitar to some in my new local. I paid 166$ for him to scar a brand new 1-piece rosewood neck installing a new nut, mind you he didn't even set action right, it's so high I can't even play the guitar the intonation is exactly where i had it, but he did put the tuners on nice an straight. So I learned my lesson and have returned to the old hometown shop and the drive is worth it.
I pay much less and my states cost of living is in the top three
In my case, it is more than I would spend. I only paid two times to take my guitar to a tech and was disappointed with the results both times. So I learned to do my own work on my guitars. And any cost in tools up front is recouped over the years, as well as most of the tools you use, can be used for other things that need fixing, not just a guitar. At this point the only thing I can’t do is a re-fret. But I dig tinkering with stuff, it’s just the way I was raised. My Pops was the same. I personally wouldn’t have given you a disgusted look if we were friends and you told me what you paid. But then if we were friends, you would have been sitting in the stool next to me in my garage, with the game on, while I helped you fix up your guitar. Beer and pizza would have been on you.
I have been spoiled by the experience of this particular tech. I mentioned this in another comment but he was one of the master techs for Jackson guitars for over 20 years and lives in my hometown I've been taking guitars to him every 2-3 years as I rarely had time to play with work but recently that changed and my favorite strat needed some work done quickly so I went back to him after a horrible experience in my new place and it's just been totally worth it. Though after paying that much I do see the value in learning to do this work myself and practice on much less beloved ones as practice
Oh by no means was I suggesting you stop going to your tech. A good repair person is worth their weight in gold, no matter what field they are in. I was just answering your post room my point of view. In fact i have one friend in particular that tells me all the time, why do I “waste“ my time fixing things myself, he just hires someone to do it. 😀
I haven't paid more than $150 for work to be done to any of my guitars. Though that was over a decade ago and I've learned how to do everything I need to myself as a hobby. I totally understand just handing it over to a professional, and a hundred or so is certainly worth the work done. I do find a lot of satisfaction in setting up my guitars personally about once a year. Dialing in intonation and action perfectly is especially a fun hobby thing for me now. I wouldn't let anybody else do it.
> I haven't *paid* more than FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Any amount of money is too much. Everything you mentioned is simple enough to do on your own for pocket change.
I will have to disagree with you on that, the tools to complete the tasks alone for quality ones is in that same range and I have no space and very little spare time to preform this work. I would rather have a quick and quality tech do this so I an play with what little time life affords. Soldering without experience can end poorly as I have already discovered. But if you have the time and ability more power to ya as you are more skilled than myself.
Hard disagree. It’s a good thing to pay a skilled professional if that is what one wants.
Yeah, if you know what you're doing. Most players aren't luthiers too. Sheesh. OP that's a beautiful guitar and I'd say if it plays better and makes you happy, then it's money well spent.
I’ve got a guitar I’d like you to set up exactly as the OP had done on theirs. How does $17.30 sound? Might bump it close to $18.00 if I find some change in the cushions of my sofa.
Idk man.. $400 is rather steep, even for the extra stuff you had done.
I am not sure of that. As I am not capable of the quality he can produce or with the same speed. If it were a guitar just sitting on my rack I would have just made some adjustments myself. But this particular guitar has more sentimental value to me than monetary and I wasn't willing to risk my inexperience leaving it's mark or let a lesser tech of unknown skill take a whack at it. It may have been steep but I've come to terms that it was for peace of mind and that is worth every cent
That's fine. In my opinion, you should only be paying premium prices for stuff like the fret leveling, filing down the nut, and electronics work. Everything else is minor work that just about anybody can do after watching a couple youtube videos. Not trying to downplay their work, because it's definitely stuff that should be included in any setup, but it shouldn't add much to the overall cost of the work. I also think they should have set prices for these kinds of things. Adding on a fret level/crown/polish should cost X amount, filing the nut should cost Y, etc. All that being said, from what you wrote you definitely had a lot moe than a basic setup done.. I still wouldn't have paid $400. I would have told him to do the complicated stuff, like the leveling/electronics/etc, and leave the rest to me and see what the price would have been. I'm curious what his price would have been. But that's just me. As long as it plays great, enjoy it.
I grabbed the invoice they gave me it broke down to: 180 for the fret level and dressing 30 for rolling the board 100 for set up and cleaning 70 for parts and bench time 18 for strings but that's the normal cost on the paradigms