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How much for a setup?????
- Thread starter maniacmetalhead
- Start date
- Nov 9, 2009
- 360
- 100
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Reunion Blues, 64 Audio, Mesa Engineering, Ernie Ball.
40 bones for a set-up and 30 for strings is what I'd say is 'average'.
Obviously, you get cheaper strings, great.
I took my bass to a guy once and he charged 15 for the set-up. I was ecstatic. Then I realized he didn't clean+oil the fingerboard, didn't clean the electronics, etc. etc. Just re-strung and calibrated the thing -_-
Obviously, you get cheaper strings, great.
I took my bass to a guy once and he charged 15 for the set-up. I was ecstatic. Then I realized he didn't clean+oil the fingerboard, didn't clean the electronics, etc. etc. Just re-strung and calibrated the thing -_-
like swampman said, depends on what all he does on it. really all my basses ever need is neck adjustment, maybe some minor touch ups on the frets and fingerboard which will be somehwhere in the neighborhood of $20 or so. strings depends completely on what kind you get obviously, if the place you go to is a dealer for the strings you want put in on it they can sometimes give them to you at a little discount compared to what they sell seperately (if your paying for the setup already). but about $15 at the lowest, then depending on how nice of a set you want the price goes up from there 
although my numbers might be slightly skewed, the guy I go to ive been going to for years, and im at least pretty sure hes giving me a good deal 
I set my own up, but before I knew how I used a guy in St. Louis named Skip Goez. He's an old stoner, but man he does great work. Once he sets your guitar/bass up, it's done for life. Bring it in once a year and he'll set it up for free.
Last time I went to Skip he charged me $125. Pretty good deal considering you'll never have to pay to set it up again.
Last time I went to Skip he charged me $125. Pretty good deal considering you'll never have to pay to set it up again.
Lessee....
Dan Erlewine's "Guitar Player Repair Guide" - $23
A good set of screwdrivers - $20
A good set of allen keys - $16
A good 6" steel ruler marked in 32nds - $5
A set of automotive feeler gauges - $10
You do have a good tuner, right? Otherwise add that in (a Peterson Strobe tuner is about $200).
So, that's an investment of $275. How many set ups at $50/each will it take to amortize that investment? Only five. Learn to do it yourself.
John
Dan Erlewine's "Guitar Player Repair Guide" - $23
A good set of screwdrivers - $20
A good set of allen keys - $16
A good 6" steel ruler marked in 32nds - $5
A set of automotive feeler gauges - $10
You do have a good tuner, right? Otherwise add that in (a Peterson Strobe tuner is about $200).
So, that's an investment of $275. How many set ups at $50/each will it take to amortize that investment? Only five. Learn to do it yourself.
John
I pay $50 for my setups and around $37 for strings. sure i could pay less but i sit and hang out with my tech while he does the work up and he always lets me squeeze in on time slots
Learn to do it yourself, or if you can, locate a friend that knows how. Once you've seen it done and have someone show you what's going on, it's really not that hard. My guitar player fixes guitars as part of his job, and showed me a thing or two about setting things up.
The price will also depend heavily on what kind of strings you like. For example I paid in the neighborhood of $45-50 for my DR strings, but they were oh-so-worth it!
The price will also depend heavily on what kind of strings you like. For example I paid in the neighborhood of $45-50 for my DR strings, but they were oh-so-worth it!
Learn to do it yourself, or if you can, locate a friend that knows how. Once you've seen it done and have someone show you what's going on, it's really not that hard. My guitar player fixes guitars as part of his job, and showed me a thing or two about setting things up.
The price will also depend heavily on what kind of strings you like. For example I paid in the neighborhood of $45-50 for my DR strings, but they were oh-so-worth it!
Excellent advice. I do all the set-up, repair and maintenance for my guitarist and myself. In fact I'm building his Bolt+ kit when it comes in later this week.
Depends on where you live. Also depends on how much you value quality work.
