F*ck me runnin!

[Axewielder]

I do my own crappy setups. No sense paying another monkey to mess up what I can mess up myself. I get instant dissatisfaction, to boot, rather than waiting a week or more.

[pianoguyy]

See, imo, i can do the setups Greg does. He just seemed generic and stagnant. Like something you'd buy in his store, generic and waiting to be setup.
I can't speak on his repairs. If I don't like the setup, why would i try repairs. Right?


Randy, and now Chris, give my gear the life and the personality I want.

[vector]

I guess I have slightly different experiences with Greg. I've only done more involved modding projects with him and they've come back set up to my specific playing style. Damn near perfect. As to the nature of his gear out on the floor- I know he has a lot of consignment and used gear and I can only guess as to how much time/effort he puts into having them set up precisely.He almost always has more than few repairs and mods of all levels on his bench at any given moment.

[leftykingv2]

Leftykingv2, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. He emailed me his hourly rate of $125.00 an hour labor and $150.00 for "vintage" axes. Mind you, this was sent out AFTER he had my guitars in shop and on the table. To be fair, I should've asked him all this up front. But like I said, I've used techs, builders, luthiers, repairmen for years and years. I like to think I basically know the spectrum of charges/rates.

My guess is he's charging me "vintage" hourly rate and is lumping in a set up as well. I WILL be getting the full story in person.

I have a personal friend who is a retired Master Luthier who worked for Washburn for 26 years and his labor rate is only $65 an hour. I really can't understand why the stuff you've said is being done could cost so much money. He should be able to change a toggle switch and a pot in 20 minutes at the most if he's a Master Luthier. Then figure the set up could take a half an hour at most. Even with his massive hourly rate I just don't see how he can claim the work would take more than an hour at the very most. Mike Shannon doesn't even have an hourly rate of $150.00 I'd be willing to bet. That's insane bro.

[Mudlark]

If I thought I was getting shafted on a price I'd get a friend to ask for a quote on a similar job and compare.
Unless he's one of those guys who won't give a quote without seeing the guitar first.

[leftykingv2]

Here you go bro! After you get the guitars back find out his address and send this to him. http://www.poopsenders.com/order/

[toejam]

Holy shit! I only paid $290 plus tax to have my Hamer's neck stripped/oiled, refretted w SS, and a bridge pup swap!

[Axewielder]

How long has that guy been in business?? Normally I'd say he's in the wrong line of work if he expects to make $150/hr.

[Brandenburg]

This situation involved swapping a broken push/pull tone pot for a push/push pot and replacing a faulty cheap Chinese-made toggle Gibson

IMO..thats a fukin $50 repair.. 75 tops.. NOTHING more easier than just swapping out pots or a switch.. OK the braid is always a pain to solder to the pot.. but not that much of a pain.. shouldnt take anyone competent with a soldering iron too long either..maby an hours and a half just to be thorough and careful.. Just my thoughts

i have never taken my guitar to a luther for anything .. so I dont know the prices.. in saying that....I refuse to take any of my guitars to anyone to get a wiring job done.. I dont own something so expensive but even If i did.. answer would be the same..

[etepbbb]

Sucks the tech is screwing you like that, maybe you can persuade this guy his prices are out of sight.

I enjoy working on my guitars, the only thing I haven't done, and won't are fret replacements. That takes some training and experience, I have done fret dressing though. Pickup swaps, strings and setups are easy, take the time to learn it. There are tons of youtube videos on almost anything you'd need help with.

[vector]

Absolutely no chance of persuading him of modifying his prices. This guy is so full on himself. Behold something I found in one of his emails:

I must seriously apologize on the estimate issue. I rarely give estimates. I occasionally give clients my rates, most never ask. I service a rare nationwide clientele. My clients want me as their luthier. They pay me for the time I have worked on their instrument. I'm honored you are back as a client. I bill in 15 minute intervals. I keep a time log card on every job so if I'm interrupted you don't get charged for time away from the project. My billing is very efficient And fair.

[Mudlark]

Not to make light of your situation, but, I wonder what he charges for his autograph?

[Newc]

"Luthier to the stars" sorta thing going on with this guy, fo' sho'

Sorry to hear about the shafting.

[vector]

Not to make light of your situation, but, I wonder what he charges for his autograph?

[vector]

"Luthier to the stars" sorta thing going on with this guy, fo' sho'

Sorry to hear about the shafting.

I will be careful to point out that I'm not a star when I go to pick up the other two instruments that I've asked him to stop work on...