Any good luthier's in Neberg/Portland area??

[masmith]

Does anyonme know of any good luthiers? I need a setup and action readjusted along with a clear pickguard. I don't want to pay alot either.

P.S. Oregon.

[Brackett Instruments]

I can't help you since I'm in NC but I know how hard it is to find someone I trust with my guitars. The guy that works on mine has been retired for over 10 years but I can still get him to do my major repairs. He's got me started doing my set-ups and minor stuff. He's got my 1967 D18 right now doing a neck re-set and re-fret.

[masmith]

None, that sucks....

[Quake17]

Try Todd Mylet at Portland Fretworks (503) 249-3737. He did an outstanding neck reset on my Martin a year ago and both Portland Music and Artichoke Music use him (they are VERY different types of music stores). A friend of mine built his own kit and had Todd do the set-up for him.
He's in NE Portland north of the Alameda area.

Good luck!

Grant

[boogiebill]

Todd has a very good rep. But, ...

When I had to have the neck repaired on my 1975 Martin D-28, I chose Kerry Char of Char Lutheries. He is in Northwest Portland, over by the University. Kerry is a builder, and you should see some of his exquisite 000s and classical guitars.

I had fallen with the D-28, and snapped the headstock off. Because of the nature of the break, I chose to have a new neck put on. Kerry did a marvelous job of pulling the old neck and re-setting the new neck. The guitar came back to me wonderfully set-up. I have had him work on three other guitars since then, and I am taking him another one this week.

When working with any luthier, good communication is essential.

You can reach Kerry at (503) 289-5980. Please mention my name.

Bill Cone

[vhc512m]

Jim Prior at Pioner Music (downtown Portland) did a neck reset on my Taylor 512 that I am very happy with. http://www.pioneermusicco.com/repair.html

[Bluecoat]

Originally Posted by boogiebill

Todd has a very good rep. But, ...

When I had to have the neck repaired on my 1975 Martin D-28, I chose Kerry Char of Char Lutheries. He is in Northwest Portland, over by the University. Kerry is a builder, and you should see some of his exquisite 000s and classical guitars.

I had fallen with the D-28, and snapped the headstock off. Because of the nature of the break, I chose to have a new neck put on. Kerry did a marvelous job of pulling the old neck and re-setting the new neck. The guitar came back to me wonderfully set-up. I have had him work on three other guitars since then, and I am taking him another one this week.

When working with any luthier, good communication is essential.

You can reach Kerry at (503) 289-5980. Please mention my name.

Bill Cone

What do these guys charge for set ups?

[Quake17]

I'm not certain but I believe it was about $35 for a standard set-up. I found Todd to be reasonably priced but it's not a real quick turn-around time. I'd recommend calling around.

Grant

[masmith]

Thanks for all teh info guys! My 314kce is having problems. The high strings were buzzing so I lossened up the truss rod. They don't buzz now, but the action is very high. I think that Taylor set it up wrong or something. My problem is that I work in McMinnville, so it's hard for me to get into Portland, and it's hard for me to pay like $40 for someone to sand the saddle and twist the rod- but then again I don't have the knowlege to do it myself....

[Bluecoat]

Thank you Grant!

[min7b5]

I've gotten good reports from Pioneer Music

[Heliman]

Originally Posted by masmith

Thanks for all teh info guys! My 314kce is having problems. The high strings were buzzing so I lossened up the truss rod. They don't buzz now, but the action is very high. I think that Taylor set it up wrong or something. My problem is that I work in McMinnville, so it's hard for me to get into Portland, and it's hard for me to pay like $40 for someone to sand the saddle and twist the rod- but then again I don't have the knowlege to do it myself....

You don't happen to work for Evergreen, do you? Six or seven years ago I flew out to Newberg to pick up a helicopter at Precision Helicopters. We had to wait a few day for them to complete the annual, so we headed to McMinnville. At Evergreen, we saw the Spruce Goose (Unassembled and in the huge greenhouses) and went inside to the museum. A couple of guys were in the process of reassembling the #2 prototype of the Hughes 269. It was Howard Hughes personal ship that he learned to fly. The guys there were just volunteers and were doing the best they could to reassemble it, but they really had little experience with the aircraft. The fellow I was with had owned a half dozen or more of the 269's over a period of 25 years. He is also extremely knowledgeable of the mechanics of the aircraft. Anyway, when those two guys found out how much Jim knew about the aircraft, they would not let him leave! We stayed there over two hours answering their questions.

Sorry I'm no help regarding luthiers in that area. Come to North Carolina and I'll try to hook you up!

Respectfully yours,

Heliman

[Howlin Bob]

Best by far is Kerry Char in north Portland. The 12th a Fret is good and Barrett Coughlin is also super if you just need a set-up.

Pioneer Music closed last year.

Good luck.

Bob

[Billy Boy]

I'd stick with Fretworks if price is that important to you...it's a very good shop at shop prices...there are many luthiers in the Portland area, but they charge luthier prices...Kerry Char is certainly one I'd recommend...John Greven is another...but, start with Fretworks...they do excellent work...

[Fred]

I've had good luck at Portland Fretworks. Very pleasant to deal with, knowledgeable people. Possibly bot the cheapest, but good value for the quality of their work.