F*ck me runnin!

[Newc]

I was going to add that the "vintage" charge was probably to cover the extra time and care he takes to not devalue the resale, such as dropping a screwdriver on the face or sticking it in a milk crate.

[leftykingv2]

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.

"I rarely give estimates?" Get the fuck out of here Jack! How many people walk in and tell someone what they want/need done on an instrument and then just leave without an estimate? What a crock of shit. Send me his address and I'll send him a bag of shit in the mail if you don't want to do it because this guy is full of it. "My billing is very efficient and fair?" For who? He's charging people $2.50 a minute at that rate. Is this guy fixing your guitar or getting you off on a double murder charge?

[vector]

"I rarely give estimates?" Get the fuck out of here Jack! How many people walk in and tell someone what they want/need done on an instrument and then just leave without an estimate? What a crock of shit. Send me his address and I'll send him a bag of shit in the mail if you don't want to do it because this guy is full of it. "My billing is very efficient and fair?" For who? He's charging people $2.50 a minute at that rate. Is this guy fixing your guitar or getting you off on a double murder charge?

Here's the thing, from the perspective of a business owner, he's not doing anything unethical or unlawful. On the contrary, if he has amassed an on-going clientele, charging those rates and is still in business, then he's apparently doing something right. And on the issue of rights, I have the right to use or not use his services. Does it boggle my mind that he commands that kinda scratch for the work he does? Hell yeah, but it ain't illegal. While no level of high-quality workmanship could convince me that it justifiably deserves those hourly rates, it makes you wonder what he knows/does that keeps 'em coming in thru his door. I'm going to find out on Tuesday when I pick up the LP and see just exactly what it is that he does that allows him to get away with those "champagne" rates. I will, however be picking up my Hamers to take to another luthier or tech, one with rates something more along the lines of "beer" rates.

[outlawten5]

Lefty, It is Joe Despagni

[leftykingv2]

Lefty, It is Joe Despagni

That's pretty awesome. I am sure he does great work!

[leftykingv2]

He might as well be pulling a gun on his clients because he's obviously robbing the shit out of people. Almost four hundred bucks to change a pot and toggle switch? I know it's not illegal but I still think he's a crook. That's damn near 10% of what the guitar cost brand new. I don't care how well the pot and the switch work when he's done it's still highway robbery in my opinion.

[outlawten5]

He really does. I sent a friend to him with an ES-335 that he bought new in '68. Said it has never played that well. I have been very happy with his work. He typically charges $40 with your strings but I have sent so many people his way he gives me a deal. And that's for a full set-up

[straycat]

Damn I need to raise my rates.
I charge by the job no matter how long it takes me to get it right.
$50.00 gets you a fretboard cleaning fret polish and a set up to your specs on a vintage trem or L.P style guitar.
$75.00 on a floyd equipped guitar.
Pick up swap $10.00 a pick up.
Any parts I have to supply I add $5.00 to what I paid for them.
I guess I give the customer a fair deal and a set up they like because I get lots of repeat customers.
I have the Guitar Center techs asking me questions when I come in there.

[leftykingv2]

He really does. I sent a friend to him with an ES-335 that he bought new in '68. Said it has never played that well. I have been very happy with his work. He typically charges $40 with your strings but I have sent so many people his way he gives me a deal. And that's for a full set-up

$40 for a set up from a guy of his caliber is a steal. He actually used to do tech. work for Vai too. You're lucky to have him in your area and even more lucky that he's so reasonable.

[leftykingv2]

Damn I need to raise my rates.
I charge by the job no matter how long it takes me to get it right.
$50.00 gets you a fretboard cleaning fret polish and a set up to your specs on a vintage trem or L.P style guitar.
$75.00 on a floyd equipped guitar.
Pick up swap $10.00 a pick up.
Any parts I have to supply I add $5.00 to what I paid for them.
I guess I give the customer a fair deal and a set up they like because I get lots of repeat customers.

Everywhere in Pittsburgh charges $25.00 minimum for a pick up swap so I'd say you should definitely raise that up a bit.

[straycat]

I'll give that a thought Lefty.

[leftykingv2]

I'll give that a thought Lefty.

I would bro. I don't know where you live but Pittsburgh is pretty low on the cost of living scale and the median charge is $25 for a pick up swap here. One place I know charges $20 but every other shop here is $25 to $35. If I were you I would want at least $25 bro. EDIT; My one buddy hates stringing his Floyd guitars so has me do them for him. He gives me $20 bucks just for a re-string without a set up. Call the shops in your area bro I'll bet you're the only person changing a pick up that cheap.

[Brandenburg]

My one buddy hates stringing his Floyd guitars so has me do them for him. He gives me $20 bucks just for a re-string without a set up.

Now that some quick cash.. LOL

[leftykingv2]

Now that some quick cash.. LOL

Considering that I put the ball ends through the tuning machines and string guitars technically backwards yes it is quick cash. I can do a Floyd that way in about 15 minutes and have it back in perfect tune. EDIT; Sorry about the thread hijack Vector.

[outlawten5]

And he does it while I wait. I usually buy him lunch after. Nice guy. He does amps and stuff too. I know he was working on a pedal of his own design. I'm gonna try it out next time I am there and tell him about this site. He lives in Ft. Myers if anyone is in S.W. Fla. 239-245-450