Price for a proper guitar set-up?

**cjm** · 11-21-2011, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

"I beg ta diffa sir" . . . (again, Tombstone, Doc Holiday/Val Kilmer)

in post number 18, jmstritt indicated that the owner told him it needed "additional truss rod adjustment and fret dressing". While truss rod adjustment, any amount of it, should be included as part of a plain vanilla set up . . . fret dressing definitely would, and should represent additional costs . . . which should first be authorized, or at least explained when the guitar is picked up and paid for. Also, I do agree with the OP that quality, price and time are key factors to be considered. But, it always needs to be confirmed up front. If the OP dropped of his guitar and said "I need it done right and I need it back fast" . . then the shop said, "well, I can do that and here's what it's going to cost you" . . . I'm sure the OP would have said "OK, do it". and he wouldn't have felt as though he got "the raw end of this deal". It's all just a matter of good communications.

You're not paying attention, Patrick. The fret dressing and truss rod adjustments were done, BUT at no additional charge. It was done for the regular price of $120.00 for an archtop guitar setup.

**WhoisLevang** · 11-21-2011, 05:57 PM

It seems high to me, but I recently had a set up done at this place-
Music Central- Official Site- Home (no affiliations with me, just where I got it done) and they are fairly well recognized as having the best luthier/tech in the area; Jeff Lathrop. A little truss rod adjustment and a little fret dressing were done, and even with a set of strings it was 50 bucks + tax.
BUT- I did not need it back in any set time. Even so, it was done in less than a week and I'm very happy with the playability.
My two pennies worth-

**Philco** · 11-21-2011, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

Wow. I guess I'm getting a good deal! My tech will dress the frets, lightly oil the fingerboard, adjust the truss rod, set the action, and do the intonation with a big Conn Strobo Tuner for $40. We agree on a time for me to bring it in, and he does it while I watch - maybe takes an hour - and consults with me while he does it. He talks a blue streak while he works, and it sometimes seems like he's not paying close enough attention to what he's doing, but he knows what I like and always does a great job.

Hi Tom, The "big Conn Strobe Tuner' you mentioned is now available as an iPhone or iPad app for around $20....well actually it's a Peterson. Makes doing harmonic setups a breeze. Extremely accurate.
Search for "iStroboSoft"

**Tom Karol** · 11-21-2011, 07:38 PM

Philco - that's cool! But does it cut nut slots deeper? He does that too! I supply the new strings though.

Jeez, next thing you know someone will come out with a guitar that tunes itself! Oh wait ... Gibson already did that!

And finally (dinner's almost ready), yeah I think Conn bought Peterson - or the other way around - at some point.

**Patrick2** · 11-21-2011, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by cjm

You're not paying attention, Patrick. The fret dressing and truss rod adjustments were done, BUT at no additional charge. It was done for the regular price of $120.00 for an archtop guitar setup.

Yeah . . . I've reread that sentence and see that I misinterpreted it. So then, in essence, the tech says to the OP . . . "well, yeah . . I charge $120 for a set up . . . a PRO set up . . but, in this particular case, I really had to extend the time and effort to justify the $120". Then, my question is this . . . if the guitar didn't need to make an additional adjustment to the truss rod and dress the frets, as he said he did . . . would he have then reduced his fee to the normal $70? I don't think so. I would avoid this guitar tech like the plague. At the end of the story, the OP is very happy with his guitar . . . that's most important. He has also probably learned (hopefully) to assume nothing and confirm everything.

**merritt stone** · 11-21-2011, 08:11 PM

I take my guitars to a trained Luthier. Upon dropping of my instrument we talk about what I would like done. Most recently I recieved a new guitar, equipped with a light string guage. So, I had him adjust the truss rod, and make sure the intonation was correct/ check to make sure there were no problems. Total came to a mere $27.

P.S. Overcommunication is never the problem

P.P.S. Avoid a place that only uses a flat rate; that's absurd.

**Patrick2** · 11-21-2011, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by merritt stone

I take my guitars to a trained Luthier. Upon dropping of my instrument we talk about what I would like done. Most recently I recieved a new guitar, equipped with a light string guage. So, I had him adjust the truss rod, and make sure the intonation was correct/ check to make sure there were no problems. Total came to a mere $27.

P.S. Overcommunication is never the problem

P.P.S. Avoid a place that only uses a flat rate; that's absurd.

I absolutely agree with the avoid a flat rate theory. But, please explain further . . was this a final set up when you took delivery on the new guitar? Because if it was . . in my opinion you paid $27 too much . . . even with the new strings. That should have been done as a courtesy to the sale.

**cjm** · 11-21-2011, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

Yeah . . . I've reread that sentence and see that I misinterpreted it. So then, in essence, the tech says to the OP . . . "well, yeah . . I charge $120 for a set up . . . a PRO set up . . but, in this particular case, I really had to extend the time and effort to justify the $120". Then, my question is this . . . if the guitar didn't need to make an additional adjustment to the truss rod and dress the frets, as he said he did . . . would he have then reduced his fee to the normal $70? I don't think so. I would avoid this guitar tech like the plague. At the end of the story, the OP is very happy with his guitar . . . that's most important. He has also probably learned (hopefully) to assume nothing and confirm everything.

I would avoid him for "normal" setup work, too -- because I would do it myself.

BUT...this guy does not have a "normal" rate of $70.00 for archtops. He charges $120.00 for archtops.

**merritt stone** · 11-21-2011, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

I absolutely agree with the avoid a flat rate theory. But, please explain further . . was this a final set up when you took delivery on the new guitar? Because if it was . . in my opinion you paid $27 too much . . . even with the new strings. That should have been done as a courtesy to the sale.

Nope, this thing was right off the 'bay, so a set up was an order. Especially because it travelled all the way from Japan (I live in the Northeast US). It was a setup completely beside the sale of the guitar.

**Patrick2** · 11-22-2011, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by cjm

I would avoid him for "normal" setup work, too -- because I would do it myself.

BUT...this guy does not have a "normal" rate of $70.00 for archtops. He charges $120.00 for archtops.

So then . . you would be OK with a flat rate of $120 for a set up of an arch top . . . just because it's an arch top? Meaning, $120 if a guitar tech checks it over and it needs nothing and he gives it back to you without even touching it . . . . or, conversley .. . $120 if he checks it over and it needs 3 hours work??? I would not.

As mentioned earlier .. .the flat rate stuff really doesn't work *for me*. Charge me for what a guitar needs and consequently for what you do . . . but, don't charge me just because of the type of a guitar I bring you to work on.

**cjm** · 11-22-2011, 01:29 AM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

So then . . you would be OK with a flat rate of $120 for a set up of an arch top . . . just because it's an arch top? Meaning, $120 if a guitar tech checks it over and it needs nothing and he gives it back to you without even touching it . . . . or, conversley .. . $120 if he checks it over and it needs 3 hours work??? I would not.

As mentioned earlier .. .the flat rate stuff really doesn't work *for me*. Charge me for what a guitar needs and consequently for what you do . . . but, don't charge me just because of the type of a guitar I bring you to work on.

As I've said before, most setup work is something I wouldn't pay for: I would do it myself. But I have no objection to a flat rate business model. Guitar players usually want something for nothing, even though they don't perform for free themselves...and a flat rate is actually a way of avoiding many disputes.

But I'm the sort of guy who doesn't usually order a beer without asking the price first and I firmly believe that is a prerequisite to complaining after the fact.

**Patrick2** · 11-22-2011, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by cjm

As I've said before, most setup work is something I wouldn't pay for: I would do it myself. But I have no objection to a flat rate business model. Guitar players usually want something for nothing, even though they don't perform for free themselves...and a flat rate is actually a way of avoiding many disputes.

But I'm the sort of guy who doesn't usually order a beer without asking the price first and I firmly believe that is a prerequisite to complaining after the fact.

Well, in the OP case, it was the flat rate that caused the dispute. In fairness though, it was also the fact that the OP didn't know what the flat rate was . . or what the flat rate price included, or didn't include. So then, just so we can agree to agree on this matter . . . I too will agree that a flat rate can work . . . IF . . . the flat rate cost and what it includes are fully stated . . (just incase the buyer "forgets" to ask the seller) and agreed upon before the fact . . and not discovered after the fact.

**bborzell** · 11-22-2011, 02:23 PM

I get setups at a fairly closeby repair and custom shop. It's generally considered the most reliable setup shop within 100 miles or so.

Setups for my arch top, semi hollow and solid body were each $65, included strings. I doubt that they consider any of their setups as less than "pro".

Obviously, fret work could add to the price, but I have had instances where light dressing was done at no additional charge. While I would have no issue with paying for additional necessary work, the rationale offered for the $120 charge by the shop in question rings a bit hollow.

**Bobsynth** · 11-22-2011, 03:50 PM

Here on the Eastern shore of Md the price is about $50 at most places, but they are not done by true Luthiers.

**AcornHouse** · 11-22-2011, 04:04 PM

Man, those worms are tough to get back in after the can's been opened!

**jazzbow** · 11-22-2011, 06:10 PM

What you should go by is 'time taken' plus consumables to do any work to any instrument whether it's a new nut, refret, electrical, structural work etc.

A set up for a guitar is one of the easiest things to do especially if you have the right tools. I charge £30 and £5 for no name strings, customer supplies strings if need be. One post mentions a set up done in an hour for $40 which is about right. $120 figures out at 3 hours or 2.5 hours and the rest towards the retail store costings.

I was looking to open a small shop/store (running a retail outlet 'aint cheap!). After doing the math it meant I had to restring a lot of guitars/sell strings/equipment just to keep the bank manager happy before I could put food on the table! I just work from home at the moment.

I always quote for work before anything is done, that the customer is happy with the price and then factor in the value of the instrument and you have a go or not (a neck reset on a ply top Antoria acoustic is only worth the investment for sentimental reasons)!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not defending the $120 cost, you always price your services accordingly to generate good will and future sales/work and that's how techs should work. £30/$40 per hour is about right for skill and guarantee, luthiers however are a different breed and their pricing would scale up.