Got "the works" setup for the D25

[chicagowineguy]

Funds having been somewhat limited, I waited until last week to bring the warhorse in to Chicago Fretworks for this:

"The Works:
# Sometimes refered to as a fret “dress” and setup, The Works includes precision level, re-crown and polish of your instrument’s frets along with complete set-up of truss rod, string height (action) and intonation. This work will minimize fret buzz, eliminate fret pitting and divits, and improve your overall tone! The whole instrument will be cleaned and polished and all hardware and electronics inspected, cleaned, and lubed."

Man, I thought this old girl sounded and played sweet when I got her (some of you will recall my...er...enthusiasm...), but now, damn, the action is so slick I'm comfortably barring a D at the 10th fret, and the overall tone has definitely improved...more sustain, and the bass doesn't seem compromised at all.

Next month I'm investing in new pins, saddle and nut, and the guys at the shop (Steve and Dan...the best!) think I can space the strings at the nut just a hair wider to facilitate fingerstyle. Funny how now the neck seems skinnier...the improved action obviously the reason...

Anyway, just an update, and a reminder, I suppose, that a good setup really really is a great investment!

 

[dane]

Sounds like the work I want done on my D-46. May I ask how much it set you back so I have some idea what I’m looking at? BTW, I lived in Lombard between the late 1950’s to the early 1970’s.

 

[FNG]

Sounds like the work I want done on my D-46. May I ask how much it set you back so I have some idea what I’m looking at? BTW, I lived in Lombard between the late 1950’s to the early 1970’s.

Thread hijack...

Hey Dane...when you gonna post some pics of your D-46?

 

[chicagowineguy]

Dane, Fretworks charges $75 for that comprehensive setup. They charged me 10 bucks for the strings. I think it was money very well spent! Next month, the new nut, saddle and pins, all bone, will be another 100.

 

[TonyT]

I think the Fonz could use some help in this area. Sounds like a pretty good price.

 

[Jeff]

Funds having been somewhat limited, I waited until last week to bring the warhorse in to Chicago Fretworks for this:

"The Works:
..... Funny how now the neck seems skinnier...the improved action obviously the reason...

Anyway, just an update, and a reminder, I suppose, that a good setup really really is a great investment!

+1, I just spent similar money having some frets tweaked & a PU wired in my F20-. Little bugger plays like an electric all the way up to the soundhole. Worth every dime.

My guy charges more like $125 - $150 for a complete fret level/dress/setup full meal deal.

 

[dane]

Dane, Fretworks charges $75 for that comprehensive setup. They charged me 10 bucks for the strings. I think it was money very well spent! Next month, the new nut, saddle and pins, all bone, will be another 100.

$75…WOW! :shock: That seems like a really good price, and money well spent! Well done.

My guy charges more like $125 - $150 for a complete fret level/dress/setup full meal deal.

Still worth every nickel if it’s done right and apparently yours was as it plays so well. I think that’s about what I paid back around 1990.

Thread hijack...

Hey Dane...when you gonna post some pics of your D-46?

I just looked at the thermometer this morning and its 24 degrees. It’s going to have to warm up a bit before I take it outside. I love the way the sun plays on the grain of the wood. So you’ll have to wait a little longer to get your guitar porn fix off of The Mistress. :wink: But it’s coming…I promise.

 

[killdeer43]

Bit the bullet for "the works" on my '79 D-25 and it probably sounds better than it did in....'80. I know that it sounds really good right now and it was certainly worth 200 clams!

Joe

 

[TonyT]

I think the Fonz could use some help in this area. Sounds like a pretty good price.

Aaaaand it's game on. Just dropped The Fonz off for "The Works". Steve told me that we should be a couple of years away from a reset. He also pointed out a tiny crack where the neck meets the body, and also told me that I need to humidify a bit better, but all in all he thought I had me a pretty nice guitar. Can't wait to get him back. Kinda like leaving your kid at the hospital.

 

[coastie99]

Kinda like leaving your kid at the hospital.

I took my kids to the hospital ........ asked the people there, did they want to buy them for medical experiments ?

They told me, in an unnecessarily rude way I thought, to go away !

 

[5thumbs]

I’m really glad to hear of your good experience! I brought my 1979 D40 there this week for the same treatment. Steve proved to me what I knew but really didn’t want to admit – it’s time for a neck reset.

I told them to just give her “the works” setup, but based on your satisfaction (and good things I’ve heard from a few others) I think I’m going to blow the moths out of my wallet and give them the go-ahead for the reset. I’m waiting right now for an estimate.

That’s going to put the brakes on the case of GAS I’ve gotten since I started visiting this forum, though!

 

[taabru45]

They told me, in an unnecessarily rude way I thought, to go away ![/quote]

Kids now days have don't have the manners we were taught.... :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[creeksideguy]

I took my D-25 in for a set up last year and went all out and had an ivory nut and saddle made for it. I never really gave too much thought to bridge and nut material but what a difference! I guess the originals were plastic. Worth the extra money for sure.

Lee

 

[chicagowineguy]

I took my D-25 in for a set up last year and went all out and had an ivory nut and saddle made for it. I never really gave too much thought to bridge and nut material but what a difference! I guess the originals were plastic. Worth the extra money for sure.

Lee

Yep, that's next for me...probably next week a bone nut and saddle and pins. I'm hoping for better sustain, and even better clarity in the mids. One thing I'm looking forward to is having Steve and Dan space the nut slots just a hair wider...the neck is so comfortable now, but I'd like a bit more room to facilitate fingerstyle. Ah, the tinkering is so much fun!

 

[chicagowineguy]

Hey, Tony and Thumbs...I am really glad I could steer you to Fretworks and Steve and Dan! Great guys, both! Umm...I hope you mentioned me...the referrals might help next week when they quote me an estimate...! Sorry...I'm Italian...I just think that way!

 

[fab467]

Umm...I hope you mentioned me...the referrals might help next week when they quote me an estimate...! Sorry...I'm Italian...I just think that way!

That's too funny and rings true to these ears. Heard "did you mention my name" or "did you tell them I sent you" many times in similar situations... :lol:

 

[TonyT]

Hey, Tony and Thumbs...I am really glad I could steer you to Fretworks and Steve and Dan! Great guys, both! Umm...I hope you mentioned me...the referrals might help next week when they quote me an estimate...! Sorry...I'm Italian...I just think that way!

I did indeed.

"We like Dave. It's always a Guild or a Yamaha."
/Steve

 

[chicagowineguy]

"We like Dave. It's always a Guild or a Yamaha."
/Steve

LOL! That is so true...they did a great job on my old FG160, which I then gave to a dear guitar-playin' buddy, who then misspent lots of money at Third Coast on a "poor man's neck re-set" before bringing it to Steve and Dan who did more for less, if you know what I mean. They'll be seeing me again, soon, for aforementioned work on the beloved D25. Chicago LTGers, send those guys your business, they're good people! PS anybody have a FG110 or 140 they're not playing let me know! PSS I put my two other Guilds up on EBay...the GAD50 sold, the DV4 didn't...which is funny 'cause the DV4 is more desirable...I'm just swapping guitars...sell a dread Guild and find an OM size or the F4CE I wrote about...if anyone has any interest in the DV4 let me know...

 

[TonyT]

"We like Dave. It's always a Guild or a Yamaha."
/Steve

LOL! That is so true...they did a great job on my old FG160, which I then gave to a dear guitar-playin' buddy, who then misspent lots of money at Third Coast on a "poor man's neck re-set" before bringing it to Steve and Dan who did more for less, if you know what I mean. They'll be seeing me again, soon, for aforementioned work on the beloved D25. Chicago LTGers, send those guys your business, they're good people! PS anybody have a FG110 or 140 they're not playing let me know! PSS I put my two other Guilds up on EBay...the GAD50 sold, the DV4 didn't...which is funny 'cause the DV4 is more desirable...I'm just swapping guitars...sell a dread Guild and find an OM size or the F4CE I wrote about...if anyone has any interest in the DV4 let me know...

Since they've got it anyway, I'm thinking about giving the green light for the bone saddle and nut.

 

[chicagowineguy]

Since they've got it anyway, I'm thinking about giving the green light for the bone saddle and nut.

You should, Tony! What did they quote you? Around $100?