Stewmac Newsletter "Lets Talk Money"

Re: Stewmac Newsletter "Lets Talk Money"

3th3r said:
The article reads: "These figures give a good idea of charges at a well-established, but not high-end, shop... I hope this information is helpful if you’re starting your own repair business."

I take this to mean the prices listed are a simply guideline for someone who has his own repair shop, not that these are the actual prices that Dan's shop charges. Perhaps Dan's shop is indeed "high-end" and may charge more.
Click to expand...

"How I inspect a guitar to
estimate my repair prices
This customer needed some pickups wired. He also asked what other work his guitar needed — and how much it would cost."

that is why i assume this is what the customer got charged!
 
Re: Stewmac Newsletter "Lets Talk Money"

Don't forget the part where the radius was off on the fingerboard. That's probably included in the refret cost.

The guy I was referred to around here charges $75.00 for a fret dress and $35.00 - $50.00 (IIRC) for a nut replacement. He used to work for Jackson/Charvel back in the day. Great guy and does incredible work. He recently did a fret dress on my Frankenstrat and the frets came back to me all shiney and new looking. That guitar plays better than ever. He's getting more of my business in the near future. Included in that cost was a setup as well (intonation, action, truss rod check and adjustment if necessary).
 
Re: Stewmac Newsletter "Lets Talk Money"

Hey, I'd pay $75 to get my nut done.

But she would have to have experience
 
Re: Stewmac Newsletter "Lets Talk Money"

My take is that these are indeed the prices he charged.
Before that he said sth to the effect that if you're not well established then your prices are set by your competition, if you are, you decide what your time's worth.

Personally I find many (not all nor most) of his charges a tad excessive but not THAT bad.

Now, about the packaging, think about it:
He just SET UP the guitar, what would be the point of just packaging it as is and send it on its' merry UPS way where it's gonna be banged up and sent out of whack?

PROPERLY packing it WILL take some time but it's worth it since that's the last step before the customer taking it in its' hands and the basis upon which what you did to it will be judged.
 
Re: Stewmac Newsletter "Lets Talk Money"

Well before a line is drawn in the sand for those who agree or disagree i think it does come down to local prices. Their are quite a few in my area who are on the same level and do a lot of work for some big name clients but they do not charge that rate in their local shops in this area. Now those same repair men may fetch those kind of fee's in other parts of the area. As for Dan, I will say it once again, I have a lot of respect for the man and all he's done i just wouldn't pay it when their are others that are just as qualified.
 
Re: Stewmac Newsletter "Lets Talk Money"

I've taken my guitars to Dan. There isn't anyone else I would trust. I had a 1963 SG Special that I didn't really realize had a neck/body repair (I bought it in 1989 at GC). One day in 2003 I took it out of the closet and the string had pulled the neck up from the body.

Dan reset the neck, did a great job painting it, replace the nut. The guitar plays and sounds fantastic now.

I have a 1977 LP Custom that will need to be refretted soon. It will go to Dan.

Yes, it cost a lot, but if you get a botched job, it could cost you more.
 
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