Was this guitar repair too expensive?

[Brucebubs]

I'd rather overpay for good work than underpay for bad.

[Br1ck]

It is funny, in a twisted sort of way, that we in the SF Bay Area always think that high rates are reasonable. Goes with the territory.

[fngrpck]

I would think that rather high;

Fret leveling-100 to 140
New Saddle-100
Reglue bridge-100
Set-up-75

But that's me, YMMV

[Scott of the Sa]

I was thinking I needed at least a partial 5 or 6 fret job. I called a really well known repair shop first. It seemed around $400.00 to do the work. I don't know how busy they were. I found a second shop closer to home, and I figured his price for the same thing would be closer to $300.00 but he was so busy that I probably would have to leave my guitar with him for a couple of months. My friend just had the same work done on his Martin as well as a new nut, and his guy was in the $200.00 range could have been $250 or $275. I may have this guy do the work... If he can get right on it.

[rmp]

the bridge reset alone was probably half the cost. that is very detailed work and sometimes, it's not easy to do it right,, getting all the old glue off and the site prepped properly.

[Golffishny]

I tend to agree with Bruce. I've saved money in the past and was unhappy with the results. If your friend likes the results, don't pick at the details.

[mirwa]

Fret level and setup 145
New saddle 70
Bridge remove and refit 120

Steve

[ArchtopLover]

Originally Posted by Lost Sheep

Now, removing and resetting a neck is a job I would never tackle, even on a $10 guitar. I know my limits.

The total price does seem a little steep. But if the work was done well, then it was worth it.

I began my journey repairing guitars by learning how to replace and sculpt new nuts and saddles on my, now long gone, collection of flat-tops.

At this point in my guitar repair career, neck resets are the easy repairs. Taking a back off and re-gluing braces, now that's time consuming and difficult.

[Yrksman]

Originally Posted by Golffishny

I tend to agree with Bruce. I've saved money in the past and was unhappy with the results. If your friend likes the results, don't pick at the details.

That’s the point. Was it a good job and what was the cost relative to the value of the guitar? It’s the opposite of paying peanuts to get monkeys.

[FLRon]

I'm in the camp of if the work makes my guitar enjoyable to play again, it's worth it to ME.

I've got a 64 D-21 that needs at least $1000 worth of work based on today's cost of repairs. As it sits it is unplayable, so even though $1000 is a lot of money to this retired guy, it is more than worth it if I can once again play the guitar.

Those of you who have access to great luthiers and techs are fortunate. Here in SW Florida they are very hard to come by.

[gfirob]

They are going to charge you as much as they can get away with in that market, just like everybody else. In my state I have been quoted $600 from one guy for a neck set and $200 from another guy and both of them are quite good. Just look at what their price per hour is. This is not brain surgery and unless the guitar in question is a high value vintage or custom, I don't see much point in paying a fortune for fairly basic work. Most people would agree that paying a lot will not guarantee a flawless fix.