Beginner Bass Lessons, Bass Setups, etc. - What to charge?

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I'm thinking of offering beginner bass lessons as well as doing bass setups (neck relief, fretwork, action, intonation, etc.).

I know our local music store sells basses and none of them have had any setups done to them at all, and are usually horribly off from ideal making them difficult to play/try out. I also know quite a few young players locally who don't even know how to change strings and tune their own bass, much less such rudimentary work like basic setups. I can also do electronic repairs/mods/upgrades as I've been doing this my entire pro/hobby career with all of my own basses.

What kind of fee are any of you charging? I'm not looking to make a lot of money at this, just a way to give back (but not pro bono) to the local music scene after playing bass here for over 45 years.

Thoughts?

 

[JC BASS 91]

In my area, I'm seeing places charging $99/month with one weekly 1/2 hour lesson.

For setups, I see $75-$100. That is just a basic restring, string height and intonation set. Nothing else. That price also doesn't include the price of strings.

I have considered doing what you're suggesting, but finally decided I didn't want to devote the time to doing it...at least as far as setup go. Lessons on the other hand....I think I would be a very poor teacher. I don't have the patience for it. I'd be the one that if the kid consistently showed up unprepared, I'd 'fire' him and tell mom and dad that they're wasting their money and to sell the kids gear while they can. I'm kind of a jerk.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I've never done this with bass lessons/setups, but I had a method for IT work I did on the side. Typically I'd charge 1/2 to 2/3rds whatever Geek Squad or whichever big box store was charging for the same services. Kind of helped, since it was competitive pricing and I didn't have to "think" too much about what a market price was or should be.

YMMV, but it was a system that worked ok for me