Price point.

[beelzelboss]

How much would you pay a luthier to do a total set up on your bass?

Setup being - Our setup includes a 21 point, mini-overhaul. Any needed replacement parts are extra. Neck dwell and angle, action and intonation adjustment (string height at nut and saddles, nut or high end choking, neck relief & action); minor fret, nut and saddle work; tighten tuner screws and nuts; replace corroded or bad parts; lubricate, tighten, repair, & replace (when needed) tuning machines; general clean up; resurfacing, polishing, cleaning and thorough conditioning of fret board (when needed); clean pots, switches, jacks and check reliability of electronics; restring.

This guy is charging $85 plus the price of strings. To me it looks good, and he seems to be the only good luthier here in Vegas, but it isn't cheap. So should I get a setup from this guy or not.

Post note: I'm moving to California in two months, should I wait and get a setup there?

[testing1two]

If the guy does reputable work and your bass needs all that attention then it's more than fair. Typically you're going to pay $40-50 (plus strings) just for the basics: action, neck relief, intonation, nut height and pickup height; anything else is charged "a la carte." Additionally, since you're not moving for 2 months it makes sense to pull the trigger now and enjoy your bass.

If you have a good experience be sure to post it here. I'm in LV a few times every year and it's always nice to know a good tech.

[XylemBassGuitar]

I'd agree, but make sure that they guy is reputable because $85 is a little on the high side for what is essentially a setup with a cleaning.

[beelzelboss]

Well, the guy makes custom guitars and what not. I've checked him out before and he does reputable work. I can't find anything bad about him on the internet. I just wanted to know if I wasn't getting ripped off or not, and from the sound of it, I don't hink I am. I also need someone to cut me a new pick guard. How much would you guys pay for that?

[XylemBassGuitar]

Sounds like you're good to go with that guy. Just make sure that you get really top-notch service because, in my opinion, $85 is somewhat on the high side for a setup. But, again, if you are treated well and are happy with the work when it's finished, that price is reasonable.

Not sure what a pickguard would cost. I usually charge $50 plus parts for replacing pickguards on acoustics. Keep in mind that this doesn't include any of the pockets/holes that would be necessary for a pickguard on an electric instrument though.