Questions about simple repair costs

gweimer · July 20, 2009, 02:30:05 PM

Here's a question about simple repair jobs, for both those who can do them on their own, and for those who have to have the work done by others.

What's the typical cost for something like a nut replacment, fret dressing, set-up, and other small jobs? I just took the Holy Crap bass to a new luthier to get a bone nut put on it. The job will cost me about $80. My normal luthier is extremely cheap, but I guess I never realized just how cheap he was.

Highlander · July 20, 2009, 03:59:20 PM

Definitely can't help you on this one, Gary...

Been doing almost all my own work over the years, except for the defretting of the RD and new frets on the PC (both by Peter Cook, but that was back in the early 80's...)

Why did you go to a new luthier...? whe you find a good one, why move...?

gweimer · July 20, 2009, 04:58:55 PM

My regular luthier is about an hour away, and is really backed up with work. He's pretty much worth every inconvenience I can imagine. I just dropped off the BaCHBird and the Magnatone with him last week. I figured for a simple nut, I'd go with someone close that comes recommended by people around here.

Dave W · July 20, 2009, 05:00:22 PM

Repair rates vary widely. IMO $80 just to replace the nut is high, but most shops will not replace the nut without doing a setup, and $80 for both would be reasonable.

gweimer · July 20, 2009, 05:19:25 PM

My normal guy does both for $65.

Dave W · July 20, 2009, 05:29:36 PM

That would be normal in some places, low in others.

drbassman · July 20, 2009, 06:04:14 PM

Here on Rochester you'd pay around $80 for a new nut and set up, which might include fret dressing as well. It's a seller's market really. Most guys set their prices based on their view of their value, not by any set scale or measurement.

Freuds_Cat · July 20, 2009, 07:16:24 PM

My luthier for the last 30 years has been Brian West here in Adelaide. The prices both you and Dave quoted definitely computes (after exchange rate) with what I pay.

Gary if you are interested in what we pay here, here is Brians General repair prices. Aus$ to the US$ is roughly 80 USc to 1 Aus$

http://www.fretco.com.au/General-Repairs.aspx

and here

http://www.fretco.com.au/Mods-and-Upgrades.aspx

SKATE RAT · July 20, 2009, 07:46:15 PM

i recently paid $70. for a new bone nut and set up at GC on my Epiphone guitar.nice job too. i asked a few places in NYC and $80 was the average.

gweimer · July 20, 2009, 08:04:13 PM

This new guy quoted me about $1200 for a refin on a bass. I think that sounds pretty outrageous.

Nocturnal · July 20, 2009, 08:16:05 PM

That seems high for a refin to me, but it would depend on the type of finish and how much work it required.

gweimer · July 20, 2009, 08:21:42 PM

I was talking about a simple black over an existing rust red. No real body prep needed other than possibly a light sanding.

Dave W · July 20, 2009, 10:43:19 PM

$1200 is outrageously high for that.

Freuds_Cat · July 20, 2009, 11:42:41 PM

Quote from: Dave W on July 20, 2009, 10:43:19 PM
$1200 is outrageously high for that.

Agreed. or a case of greed

Bass VI · July 21, 2009, 01:38:27 AM

Gary,
It's what I do, so for what it's worth......$80 for a new nut, set up (new strings?) fret dress, etc. seems about right, $65 or maybe a little less would be my "friend" deal.
$1200 for a refin (esp. if you're shooting over an existing finish and not stripping it down to bare wood and starting over) is outrageous.
Scott