Is This Normal

[Bikerdoc]

The guitars I took in on Saturday for some repair/touchup are finished. Here's a breakdown of the cost. Reasonable?

Gibson:
Dressed frets, re=crowned and buff all frets
Installed keys.
Restrung
Total for the Gibson is $40

Guild:
Dressed frets, re-crowned and buffed each fret,
Installed new bone nut, Installed new compensated bone saddle
Setup and restrung
Total for the Guild is $100

Peace

 

[GardMan]

Those prices don't sound out of line to me. Here in SLC, I pay $85-100 for new bone nut and saddle (+ new strings; prices are pretty soft at the shop I go to... sometimes it depends on Tom's mood.). Fretwork is extra... a full dress is ~$75-100, as I recall. I think I paid $45 to have him level and dress a couple high frets where the neck meets the body on my D-44.

 

[jazzmang]

Wow. My place here in Atlanta is significantly more that this! Its a good deal if its done well!

 

[Bikerdoc]

Wow. My place here in Atlanta is significantly more that this! Its a good deal if its done well!

I'll certainly let you know what I think of the work.

Peace

 

[TonyT]

Right in line with what I pay at Chicago Fretworks.

 

[bluesypicky]

Seems like a very decent pricing to me.

 

[adorshki]

HI Doc:
Sillycon Valley CA: Set up w/ strings, would include profiling and/or replacing saddle and nut if neccessary: $80.00 (bone replacements extra). Frets replaced $20.00 per, or complete fret job includes set up and fine adjustment if neccessary: $320.00, I got an introductory deal at $300.00 flat, work was EXCELLENT. Your pricing seems very reasonable from here!

 

[evenkeel]

Assuming the work was done well, those are very reasonable prices. In St. Pete a fret level and dress alone will set you back $100+/-. Add in a new bone nut and saddle and you are in for another $150.

 

[steverok]

I would guess I paid about twice that much for similar work.

 

[killdeer43]

That sounds good to me, Doc.
I have one getting an 'overhaul' right now and I'm planning in the neighborhood of a C note. Similar operations to yours, and as someone already mentioned, if the work is done well, it's worth the bucks. :wink:

Joe

 

[Bikerdoc]

WOW!!! I knew my Guild was holding back. What an absolutely amazing guitar I discovered with the upgrades and the new setup. I can't wait to have another one. BTW Joe, I'm taking care of that today.

Just thought I'd let ya'll know. Oh yeah, the Gibby has improved considerably as well but no longer a preference over 15.

Peace

 

[chazmo]

Doc, that's so awesome... It probably feels like you have a new guitar in your hands, right?

One thing that has (in my opinion) drawn folks into Taylors over the last 20 years has been their setups. Compared to, say, Martins, a Taylor off the wall in the store will usually play like butter. There's no reason why a Guild can't be adjusted to play easily too. It makes all the difference!

Twelvers are another group o' beasties that get maligned by many, many people because of playability. Well, I got news for them... a twelve can play (almost) as easily as a six. OK, it's not the same -- especially with the fingers of the right hand, but if you can't fret a 12 I claim it's just poorly adjusted. Assuming the neck is straight, a twist or two of a truss rod and maybe a little nut and saddle work, and you won't believe the difference.

Anyway, real glad to hear it doc. Enjoy!!!!

(and if you really want to blow your mind, try a jumbo F body. ... yeah, I'm not biased. )

 

[adorshki]

Doc, that's so awesome... It probably feels like you have a new guitar in your hands, right?
One thing that has (in my opinion) drawn folks into Taylors over the last 20 years has been their setups. Compared to, say, Martins, a Taylor off the wall in the store will usually play like butter. There's no reason why a Guild can't be adjusted to play easily too. It makes all the difference!

I'm beginning to think I was pretty lucky my D25 felt that way "out of the box"..(although I did get my pick of 3) I was always worried about losing that feel when I got the frets done. I thought that's how they were all s'posed to feel and that was part of the "mystique". Anyway a hearty congrats to you Doc. Glad to hear you no longer give the Gibby preference.... :wink:

 

[fungusyoung]

Doc, I did similar upgrades to both my D15 & D17 before selling them. It's all very worthwhile work to have done on those guitars. The price you paid is very reasonable... even more so since you are so happy with the 15 now.

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Doc, I did similar upgrades to both my D15 & D17 before selling them. It's all very worthwhile work to have done on those guitars. The price you paid is very reasonable... even more so since you are so happy with the 15 now.

And the D17 still sounds and plays wonderful. I had to open a couple of the nut slots a tiny amount when I switched to mediums, barely tweaked the truss rod once in a years time. Every one who has played it comments on how well it's set up.