Luthier Ethics question

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Immigrant

I guess if Lightwaves are string-brand specific, strike one in my book.

Lightwave basses are not string brand specific. Every string that you can use on any other brand electric bass, you can use on Lightwave basses even Thomastik acousticore strings.












Lightwave endorser.

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by SBassman

Yes he is.

The quote for a new nut and some fretwork was 80.
That should have included setting it up.

The total for this work should be 80. The other 60 is the hosing. Sorry we're dumping on your buddy, but - that's terrible business, trying to turn an 80 dollar quote into a 140 actual.

I assumed when the OP said "fret polishing" he was referring to a fret level, recrown & polish (too many folks use the terms "fret polish" or "fret dressing" interchangably with the level & recrown). If that's the case, then I think $80 to cut/file & dress a new nut & the fret job is more than reasonable (fret level/recrown is $120 by itself in my area...and that does NOT include a set up. They typically run about $40, $20 if you have it done at the same time as the fret work). If the OP indeed meant just polishing light oxidation and finger gunk off the frets, then yes, $80 would be excessive. Perhaps that was my misunderstanding, if there was one.

The OP's tech is not my buddy. Wouldn't know him if I tripped over him. Just don't like to see somebody's rep trashed unless it's deserved. In this instance, it seems that terminology may be clouding my understanding, but IF my understanding of the OP's terminology is correct, he's still coming out about $40 - $50 better than he would in this area (including the cost of a new brass nut).

Either way, it's just one more reason to learn to DIY.

[Macrocosmcwh]

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

I assumed when the OP said "fret polishing" he was referring to a fret level, recrown & polish (too many folks use the terms "fret polish" or "fret dressing" interchangably with the level & recrown). If that's the case, then I think $80 to cut/file & dress a new nut & the fret job is more than reasonable (fret level/recrown is $120 by itself in my area...and that does NOT include a set up. They typically run about $40, $20 if you have it done at the same time as the fret work). If the OP indeed meant just polishing light oxidation and finger gunk off the frets, then yes, $80 would be excessive. Perhaps that was my misunderstanding, if there was one.

The OP's tech is not my buddy. Wouldn't know him if I tripped over him. Just don't like to see somebody's rep trashed unless it's deserved. In this instance, it seems that terminology may be clouding my understanding, but IF my understanding of the OP's terminology is correct, he's still coming out about $40 - $50 better than he would in this area (including the cost of a new brass nut).

Either way, it's just one more reason to learn to DIY.

I am talking about just cleaning the frets. Not re-shaping them etc... Sorry fairly new to playing anything fretted. Only been playing for about two years. Sorry if I confused things.

[cybersnyder]

I'd definitely use a new guitar tech in the future. Learning to do your own setups will save you loads of money in the future.

[Macrocosmcwh]

hahahaha listening to all of you I have now watched about 10 youtube.com videos on set ups. I am ready to start charging folks!

[bassguitarthund]

Originally Posted by Arial Bender

If you tell your mechanic to replace the brake pads and he doesn't tell you you need rotors ground or replaced, Bad mechanic.

I am a mechanic at the local ford dealer. You are correct, I always recommend machining rotors when I replace pars or replacing them if am not able to machine them due to thickness or to deep of rust pitting. However if the customer were to insist on a pad slap only then later on come back with a complaint of pulsating or poor stopping ability. Yes I would charge to do the work again. Well to replace the rotors anyway. Probably would not need new pads.

Back on topic now. Can't you buy a single string instead of an entire set? If you can that would be the route I would go. Is the additional set up from the new nut or because you are replacing one string? I would not think you would need a set up for one string?!?!

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by Macrocosmcwh

hahahaha listening to all of you I have now watched about 10 youtube.com videos on set ups. I am ready to start charging folks!

That's the point of coming here! We all learn new things...like it or not!

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by bassguitarthund

I am a mechanic at the local ford dealer. You are correct, I always recommend machining rotors when I replace pars or replacing them if am not able to machine them due to thickness or to deep of rust pitting.

Back on topic now. Can't you buy a single string instead of an entire set? If you can that would be the route I would go. Is the additional set up from the new nut or because you are replacing one string? I would not think you would need a set up for one string?!?!

Maybe my rotors weren't bad...hmm, let's see...okay, let's say I wanted slotted/cross drilled rotors instead of standard. See? Always lots of variables. I just wasn't specific enough in my original post!

[Immigrant]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Lightwave basses are not string brand specific. Every string that you can use on any other brand electric bass, you can use on Lightwave basses even Thomastik acousticore strings.


Lightwave endorser.

Thank you! That's what I thought.

I guess the repairer specifying Rotosounds to replace a one-week old set was because its what he'd prefer.

It's all cool as long as the OP is happy.

And thanks again for the edumacation.

[bassguitarthund]

Originally Posted by Angel LaHash

If i break it then i expect to pay for it myself, in his case should be a part of insurance.
Most trades ive seen have insurace for miss haps like that.

As for setting it up, that should be FREE as he did it.

Maybe not insurance but if he does it enough he should have enough cushin built in from all the work he has done to replace a string or two every once in a great while.

When I was doing work on the side, I set a certain part of my profit aside from repairs for any mistakes I had to cover.

[awilkie84]

Originally Posted by bassguitarthund

Maybe not insurance but if he does it enough he should have enough cushin built in from all the work he has done to replace a string or two every once in a great while.

When I was doing work on the side, I set a certain part of my profit aside from repairs for any mistakes I had to cover.

Good guy mechanic!

We have a local luthier (actually builds instruments) who does shop work for Long & McQuade. His prices are unreasonable and very similar work ethic to the OP's tech.

When I broke the nut on my old T-bird, he wanted to charge me $80 for a new bone or brass nut blank, plus the labour costs. He told me it could not be done any cheaper than this.
I asked him about Graphtec nuts, he said $40 for the nut, plus labour.

Needless to say, I took my bass back. I bought a brass blank for $6 shipped & took it to another luthier in town. He cut, filed & fit the nut for $30 shop fee. $36 for a new nut & no BS approach to doing business. He had it done in 2 hours while I was at work, too! Dropped it off on lunch, picked it up after closing.

[kjpollo]

I think its unfair for people to tell the OP to do his own setups. I dont like the comments about "do you own setup. change your own oil, reroof your own house". Not everyone has the skills, the time, the proper equipment or even a proper location in their house to do the work!!! The OP is asking for advice about how to deal with this situation, NOT looking for DIY projects to save himself $$$.

Personally, I'd pay the guy for the work he did (new nut and fret polish) and take my bass somewhere else for the setup.
And regardless, I still dont see why I'd have to replace the entire set of strings because ONE of the new ones broke. if the strings are only a week old, there's no way I'd replace the whole set, unless I was already in the habit of changing them that often anyway.

[bassguitarthund]

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

Maybe my rotors weren't bad...hmm, let's see...okay, let's say I wanted slotted/cross drilled rotors instead of standard. See? Always lots of variables. I just wasn't specific enough in my original post!

I always recommend machining or replacing rotors. Usally go with Motorcraft cause that is what we stock. However I would put whatever the customer wanted on it. In my line of work though using something other than Motorcraft or Ford OEM might effect the labor part of the warranty. That depends on what the company selling the rotors covers, some are just parts only. Also would be up to my service manager if he wanted to eat the labor on it, if the aftermarket company (where rotors were bought from) did not cover labor. Sorry to derail I don't know a lot about what people charge for set ups and repairs. I have a buddy who used to help me with that stuff. We traded work all the time. However he lives out of state so I got to start learning how to do some of it now. I feel a bit more brave after reading this thread, haha!!

Of course I responded before I got thru the entire thread where ya cleared it up, lol Either way good luck and I hope ya make out on the deal

[Macrocosmcwh]

I am so happy to report that I am surprised at the outcome of this whole thing! Ok so last night I went to Brian Lewis Bass and Guitar www.lewisbassguitar.com To pick up my bass. To be honest not expecting what happened when I walked through the door. First of all he was working until like 9:10 to finish my bass as he had promised. When I walked through the door he had a look on his face like (You are gonna be mad at me). He said that the nut did not turn out as he had hoped it was going to. He turned over my bass, he was finishing cleaning out the electronics area of the bass. And he pointed to the new brass nut. I saw it... but just barely. The G string on the instrument was off, but just a little to the edge of the finger board. From 3 feet away you could never tell... But he could, and I could, but only because he pointed it out. He said, "You need to bring this back to me so I can do it correctly. I am not going to charge you anything today." So later, I asked what is all of this going to cost me. (Fully expecting the number to be well over $100.00. He said... "Well the string breaking was not your fault. So would you be willing to split the cost of the new set of strings if I give you the fret polishing and the body polishing?"

I was so happy to hear that. He did the right thing. So It will be around $80.00 including the new strings, the fret polish, body wood polish, set-up and brass nut. I think that is fair. Most off all my renewed faith in him as a technician or luthier is restored.

(Either that or he is a secret TB'er and read this post and all of you helped me to get the RIGHT deal) Either way... It worked out.

On a side note. He said that he ordered three sets of the SR2000 strings, and unlike what I was paying before for them. He said I could have them for $22.00 a set.

All in all... Happy!

Thanks again for all your input!

I am however going to learn how to do my own setups!

[Kmonk]

Breaking a string should not require a new setup. However, installing a new nut would and should have been included in his price quote.

Just curious though, why didn't you have the nut replaced when the bass was there a week ago? Why did you have it setup if you were going to replace the nut?

Glad it worked out.

[Macrocosmcwh]

Originally Posted by Kmonk

Breaking a string should not require a new setup. However, installing a new nut would and should have been included in his price quote.

Just curious though, why didn't you have the nut replaced when the bass was there a week ago? Why did you have it setup if you were going to replace the nut?

Glad it worked out.

I didn't replace it because of two reasons...

1. Money (I wanted to see if the nut that was on the bass would work with a proper setup because I didn't want to drop more money on this bass just yet)

2. The bass was so out of shape when I got it because of the travel between the East Coast to West Coast. I had just purchased the bass and only played it for a couple of hours before I just could not play it anymore because its action was so so high and the intonation was so badly out of whack.

In hind sight. I should have just done it then. But if we all did things the right way every time... There would be no reason for threads like this one! We live and learn!

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by Macrocosmcwh

I am however going to learn how to do my own setups!

Y'know, I've known a lot of guys who look at doing their own set ups with the same sense of dread & drudgery I get about doing the laundry.

But once I got comfortable with it, I actually enjoy it. First of all, it's my instrument & I know what I want, like & how to get there. The self-satisfaction with a job well done is pretty cool.

It's quiet time that we all need now & then and you get to know your bass/guitar inside & out. You'll notice things you didn't set out to address, but hey, while you're at it, might as well, eh?

It's always a buzz when somebody else picks up one of my guitars and says, "DAMN, this thing plays NICE!" Nice to be able to say, "Thanks. I did it myself."

And last but not least, the money saved is always better than a poke in the eye!

Wish you all the best...

[Macrocosmcwh]

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

Y'know, I've known a lot of guys who look at doing their own set ups with the same sense of dread & drudgery I get about doing the laundry.

But once I got comfortable with it, I actually enjoy it. First of all, it's my instrument & I know what I want, like & how to get there. The self-satisfaction with a job well done is pretty cool.

It's quiet time that we all need now & then and you get to know your bass/guitar inside & out. You'll notice things you didn't set out to address, but hey, while you're at it, might as well, eh?

It's always a buzz when somebody else picks up one of my guitars and says, "DAMN, this thing plays NICE!" Nice to be able to say, "Thanks. I did it myself."

And last but not least, the money saved is always better than a poke in the eye!

Wish you all the best...

I agree.... Thank you again everyone!

[HaMMerHeD]

This happened to me while I was repairing an acoustic guitar for a friend. I made and installed a new bridge, cleaned the whole thing, polished the frets, hydrated the fretboard, and replaced the tuning machines.

The high E broke, so I bought a new set of her preferred strings (Martin phosphor bronze) strings to replace the old. I ate the cost of the strings.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by Macrocosmcwh

I am so happy to report that I am surprised at the outcome of this whole thing! Ok so last night I went to Brian Lewis Bass and Guitar www.lewisbassguitar.com To pick up my bass.
...
"Well the string breaking was not your fault. So would you be willing to split the cost of the new set of strings if I give you the fret polishing and the body polishing?"
...

I hearby nominate him for a return to the Goodguy list.
I'm glad to hear it is turning out the right way. Not sure I understand why the new nut didn't go on correctly, but anyway ...