tips for a luthier

breckscratcher · #1 02-01-2007, 09:28 AM

so i work in the ski industry, i fix skis and snowboards. when i get tipped it's usually beer or pizza, or a little green skunk. just wondering what i could tip a luthier who hooks me up. anyone??

202dy · #2 02-01-2007, 12:21 PM

Tell everyone you know that they are the best. Guitar repair is not particularly lucrative. But if the benches are full and storage is full up it's a decent living. That is the best thing you can do for them. Anything less is rain down their down their leg.

If you don't know anyone or if your contacts are broke or refuse to spend money on professional services hard liquor works, too. I prefer whiskey but bourbon has it's adherents.

tplyons · #3 02-01-2007, 01:51 PM

I've always just been a friend to mine, extended an offer to help out in the shop if he ever needs it, and accidentally make the check out $20 more than it's supposed to be, and accidentally not bring any other checks.

spudmaster34 · #4 02-01-2007, 03:40 PM

recomend him to others, it is really the best thing you could do

breckscratcher · #5 02-02-2007, 06:14 PM

ok, so i offered more than the repair, and he credited me for next time. so here it goes:

if anyone near denver needs help with luthier work go see todd at reithguitars.com he's the man

fretless Bob · #6 02-02-2007, 06:33 PM

one thing though, you have to make sure your friends say "(insert name here) said you where the best around and said i should come and see you..." or something similar

Dave

202dy · #7 02-03-2007, 06:45 AM

Absolutely. When a lot of recommendations have come from one person he tends to get special treatment, usually in the form of discounts or a place at the front of line. Thanks for pointing that out.

**Rodent** · #8 02-04-2007, 04:12 PM

agreed 202dy - I have a couple of special clients that I will drop everything for when they show up - even when they show up unexpectedly (well, I would finish applying a coat of finish on the body or neck I'm working, but everything else can be set aside)

I like to make sure everyone knows and feels like they're my #1 client every time, but the couple who are special are welcomed as family. I owe them a lot for taking the trust in me when I was starting out, and spending the time to offer honest critique with every job I do

o, and spreading the word about quality work done right (vs just a cheap place to get work done in order to drive down the pricing at some other local tech) is about as high a compliment as can be paid

all the best,

R