How long is a good turnaround from a good shop?

Visirale · #1 08-06-2008, 11:05 AM

I've had my Sadowsky at a local place that is extremely reputable and was recommended to me by a lot of people. I dropped it off 3 weeks ago come this Thursday. It was only for a preamp mod (a few simple solders), strap locks installed, and a set up.

I know, I know... I should learn to do this on my own, and now I probably will. I can't wait to see what they're going to charge me for this.

But is it just me, or does 3 weeks seem a little ridiculous, no matter how high quality the work is?

uaudio · #2 08-06-2008, 11:09 AM

That seems a little lengthy, but did they tell you beforehand it would be that long? I always ask first.

CapnSev · #3 08-06-2008, 11:11 AM

There's only two guys around here I would trust, and both of them are about a month out. I cheat by putting my name on the list, taking my bass home, and bringing it back when my number is up(I have a lot of friends at that shop) .

lonote · #4 08-06-2008, 11:18 AM

Three weeks is way out of line. Most shops I use give consideration to gigging musicians who need the gear to perform. I suppose sometimes a wait is inevitable no matter who you use.

LowDown Hal · #5 08-06-2008, 11:21 AM

Good turn around is any time they finish when they promised.
Great turn around is any time they finish faster than they promised.

Visirale · #6 08-06-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uaudio

That seems a little lengthy, but did they tell you beforehand it would be that long? I always ask first.

I didn't really ask... I just kind of implied that I'd want it to be ready by the time I got back in town (was going on a week vacation).

Since then, I've just called each Friday as not to annoy them too much. And each time it's been "Sorry, haven't gotten to it yet, probably next week."

I mean I'm not in DIRE need, but I've started up new lessons since then and it would have been nice to have it, and my new band starts practicing soon and I definitely want to have it for then... The place also does custom guitars/basses and I think that might get primary concern over setups/repairs.

Sorry, just frustrated and looking to get some feedback from you all.

Gard · #7 08-06-2008, 11:47 AM

As I'm one of the folks that directed you to this shop, I'll jump in publicly.

They are ALWAYS backed up, VERY VERY VERY backed up.

There is a REASON for this: They're the best you'll find in Orlando. End of discussion.

Heck, they're very likely to be the best you'll find in the entire southeastern US, and as good or better than anyone else you'll find ANYWHERE.

They're THAT good.

Ergo - it take a long time to get something done, because EVERYONE goes there for work, and they've always got a backlog.

If you don't let them know you have an emergency (and this means you are a working, GETTING YOUR PRIMARY INCOME FROM PLAYING, musician, and you won't be able to work if they don't fix it ASAP), they will get to it when it falls in line to be done. And don't abuse this bit of information, as they KNOW if you are, or they know someone else that knows, and it will not get you good service in the future.

CapnSev has good advice, and you can ask for that kind of consideration in the future. I don't know if they'll do it, but asking is free.

For those of you that say it is out of line for it to take this long, YOU get a backlog of hundreds of repairs, while trying to also build basses and guitars, and keep up with every single simple job that shows up on your doorstep. Then you can tell us how wrong it is.

Visirale · #8 08-06-2008, 11:55 AM

Thanks Gard! That alleviates my worries! They did seem like standup guys who all really knew what they were talking about which is more than I can say for the guy at GC I called ("Uhmmm a sadowsk-what?").

Guess I just need to suck it up and wait :P.

bl2112 · #9 08-06-2008, 03:39 PM

Orlando guitar Factory? I went there once lot of cool stuff. If you need something done on the bass, the guy to talk to at GC is Rocco.

Grateful · #10 08-06-2008, 03:47 PM

In LA, I've had turnarounds anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.

Now I call first. Sometimes they say bring it on down, sometimes they ask me to make an appointment.

**Rodent** · #11 08-07-2008, 03:28 PM

Gard is spot on!

anyone who complains about a 3+ week turnaround from a shop that does stellar work has never sent their bass to a shop that truly does stellar work or they've never worked in a shop that does

you can always require two of these three items, but never all three together: awsome quality, ahead of schedule, reasonable cost. the key to having a stellar shop reputation is to find the balance of all three without ever budging on the quality aspect

all the best,

R

Seamus O'Twonk · #12 08-08-2008, 05:33 PM

I run two very busy repair shops here in BC, Canada....

If a customer 'cold calls' and just drops something off then they're looking at a 7 to 14 day turnaround time depending on the job required etc (longer if obscure parts are required etc or if refinishing is involved or the instrument was in the trunk of the car that you just rolled into the path of an on-coming semi....you get the idea

).

But, as we are very aware that many of our clients are busy professional musicians who are entrusting us with their precious tools-of-the-trade, we do operate a pre-booking service as well as a "pro-rush" service.

That way (hopefully) we are able to cater to all of our customers' needs and keep everybody happy as much as is humanly possible!

Visirale · #13 08-13-2008, 01:18 PM

Coming up on a month tomorrow, and my third "Oh, we'll get to it first thing next week."

It's missing my first rehearsal with the new band...

gkbass13 · #14 08-13-2008, 01:29 PM

i agree that waiting is fine for stellar work....but, being repeatedly led on to believe you will be gettign your bass back ina week is unacceptable, regardless of who is doing the work.

Madcity Fats · #15 08-13-2008, 02:00 PM

If they do great work, great. However, if they are consistently swamped and turnaround is typically 3 weeks or more regardless of the complexity of the job, it sure would be nice if they mentioned that before you hand over your gear, especially if you're a new customer who doesn't have a clue about their backlog going in. You shouldn't have to be a pro to get respectful service.

Great work and lousy communication does not equal a great shop, IMO. Whatever else you might say about them, it sure doesn't sound like they're being honest with the estimates they are giving you ("next week ... no, next week" etc.). In a situation like this I'd tend to wonder if I'm getting 2nd class service just because I'm a new customer and if there are regulars being bumped ahead of me in line.

LowBSix · #16 08-13-2008, 02:04 PM

a Good seupt is worth the wait!

My guy told me 4 days, but I picked upt 2 basses 2 weeks later.

IMHO it's worth it.

20db pad · #17 08-13-2008, 02:16 PM

I'd buy into a full refret needing 3-4 weeks time, but not a smaller jobs like simple soldering or straplock installation.

This length of time is far too long for the nature of the work being done for the OP. In the last few years I've had work done by the Sadowsky shop, Lakland, and Brown's Guitar Factory. These are all highly regarded top-shelf shops that are always busy. All of them took less then ten days to complete the work I requested.

jinithith2 · #18 08-14-2008, 08:46 AM

well I waited 10 days for a local music store to do a 25 dollar set up on my bass... and when I got the bass I took it home, tweaked it for 5 minutes and got a result I was MUCH more pleased with. Needless to say, that was the last time I ever took a bass to a shop for a seasonal set up. in fact, that was the last time I took the bass to the shop to get anything done, because the shop is tiny and the guy who takes care of fixing stuff doesnt give a crap about your instrument, and one time, when I showed up, one of the guys who worked there asked me "hey you keep coming here... are you ever gonna get that bass fixed or what?" well if you dont want my business, then you are perfectly welcome to not have it.

I am still perfectly okay with sending my bass to a reputable luthier to get a professional set up though, although I can barely keep my sanity intact while I wait.

Smallmouth_Bass · #19 08-14-2008, 08:55 AM

As long as they're up front and realistic about the wait time, it shouldn't be a problem. I am not a fan of being told it is a quick job and will be ready in a couple of days and then having to call back in a few weeks to verify if it is done yet.