I brought my L9 to the doctor today for it's first set up .

I also wanted him to  install a new BC ivory saddle . ($40.)

He checked it over with me while I was there and found a few things that needed work .

It had three loose frets that had lifted up .($45.)

The nut slots for  E and B string  were not filed deeply enough.($10.)

The neck truss rod  needs an adjustment ,Back bow ($15.)

He said the nut slot was typical of factory guitars , they dont take the time to properly deal with that .

The loose frets could be from normal  playing use or Winter dryness or combination of the two.

He is going to lower the action  and make it play like butter .....!  I told him to take his time no rush  , just do a good job , no pressure ...no stress !  Now all I have to do is  wait to get it back !
Tom

wait ? no loaner guitar ???

It may just be me but that seems like alot of dough. I would think an expeirenced tech could do all of that minus the frets in under an 1&1/2 hours, maybe an hour. But the only tech work I've had done on an acoustic was a truss rod adjustment that probably did cost around $15. I try to do all my own work now. I've installed about 5 saddles so far. I'm getting pretty good at that.

He gets $40. an hour
I didn't think it was that much money ..........
Have you brought a auto in for service lately ? It's hard to find anybody to work on your car for under $50. bucks
This guy is a fine craftsman
Tom

I don't mean to say its too much money just alot. Yeh auto centers are a rip off.

how do you guys find a good luther? I don't want to have to find out :-P

I guess the only way is word of mouth?

Quote from: tchlfxvt on January 19, 2006, 06:57:24 PM
I also wanted him to  install a new BC ivory saddle . ($40.)
It had three loose frets that had lifted up .($45.)
The nut slots for  E and B string  were not filed deeply enough.($10.)

You're kidding, right?   $95 for a setup?  I've never paid more than $40.  seriously, you might want to shop around.

David

Quote from: dberch on January 19, 2006, 08:37:07 PM
You're kidding, right?   $95 for a setup?  I've never paid more than $40.  seriously, you might want to shop around.

David

Maybe those are CAN $  :GRN>

This is the part of the job that I concider set up work.
This is how I do the math !
nut filing      $10.
Truss rod adj 15.
------------------------------
                  $35.


The fret repair and the saddle installation are extra don't ya think ?

Depends on who you go to, I guess.  My definetion of set-up is "make the thing play a good as it can for my playing style." $15 to adjust a truss rod seems out of line to me.  That's part of the set up.  So is tapping a couple frets back down and filing the ends.  This is not labor intensive stuff.

But that's just from my limited experience with a few repair people whom I've known for years.  I may be way off.  They may be giving me price breaks I'm not aware of.   Other opinions welcome.......

Quote from: tchlfxvt on January 20, 2006, 06:04:04 AM
This is the part of the job that I concider set up work.
This is how I do the math !
nut filing      $10.
Truss rod adj 15.
------------------------------
                  $35.


The fret repair and the saddle installation are extra don't ya think ?

... ^_^ you mean $25?  :GRN>


I would see the bridge and the frets as extra, the last few places I have talked to only do action, and truss rod, and treatment.

Hahaha
Ya , I mean$ 25 .....woops     !!
Thanks for pointing that out !
This repair person came highly reccomended to me from a very good player.
He took the time to discuss and explain the repairs .
I walked away from the place trusting him and feeling that my guitar was in safe hands .
That is worth the price to me .
Tom

Tom, that's good to hear.  You were there  and I wasn't.  If I were, I problably would feel the same as up and would not have dissed your repair guy.  As a matter of fact, I fell kinda bad about it now.  If you're happy, I'm happy.  :GRN> 

Take care,
David