expected cost

[propel]

This summer i would like to convert my epi thunderbird into a fenderbird and i am curious about how much it would cost me to have a luthier dissassemble/reassemble the bass and intonate it? The reason i ask is because i've never interacted with a luthier and there aren't any near where i live. Now, i expect to be told that rates vary and that it probably depends but none the less, i'd just like to get a general feel for the price so i can save up accordingly

Thanks,

David

p.s. sorry if this isn't in the right part of the forum

[stflbn]

Isn't the only difference just putting a fender neck on it?

[propel]

yeah a p bass neck, i think i really didn't express myself clearly lol, let me try again

what i need is for him to take off the old gibson neck, alter the fender neck so that it fits, put in the fender neck and intonate it

so what should i expect?

David

[vbasscustom]

wait its a gibson
not just a crappy epiphone one?
why alter it, i mean why are all these people altering these anyway?

[propel]

sorry meant to say epiphone lol, i'm getting ahead of myself, it's an EPIPHONE thunderbird

i wanna alter it because i love p bass necks and i don't like the neck on my epi t bird at all, but i love the look and the pickups sound pretty good to me

[Beej]

Well, I've never done that exact job, but I can't imagine it would require much work to swap necks. Although it would be unrealistic for you to use me, I can give you a general estimate that may compare to luthiers in your area depending on their experience. I don't think you'd really need a luthier, but probably more like a tech. Just by way of a quote to ponder, I charge $50 CDN per hour for labour with a minimum of $25. I charge $50 for fret dressing and $25 for a setup. So depending on the quality of the neck you have, I'd likely charge you half an hour's labour to fit the neck (depending on how much work it would need, but I'd be surprised if it took longer) and then another $25 for the setup. If the neck needed more work, then you'd have to factor in the cost. So for me to do it (and I'm NOT soliciting any work here) you'd be looking at $50 minimum going up to $100. If it also needed nut work, then that would cost a bit more. Hopefully that answers your question...

[propel]

thanks beej, that's exactly the type of answer i was looking for and that falls well into my current bugdet

one thing though, i've read that the bases of the necks are different (roundish vs. squarish) and that some altering was required there

too bad you don't live near montreal, i'd take it to you :P