Official Luthiers Forum!

Yes Dave, there are many up and comers in NYC who help share the load by doing simple stuff inexpensively. Heck I was one of them, the response I got from more established luthiers at the time I decided to open my own shop was very encouraging. Because so many people knew me as "the guy downtown in the East Village who fixes guitars" when I worked in stores. When I decided to open my own shop I had already developed a huge clientele without realizing it.
So my thought is for years I was doing work at a lower price than my "competitors" based on my perceived lack of experience. In reality I never realized how experienced I was and I certainly did not affect my colleagues in any way. Boy this was long winded Dave, my thought is get the experience, make the clientele, but never ever take a job that you know one of your local guys will do a better job with. My shop philosophy is guitar first, me second, customer third, actually if there is a corned beef sandwich around the customer moves down to fourth
hope this helps,
Best, Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

MMmmmmm Corn beef, now were talking.
Thanks Evan. That's echo's my thoughts. Guitar always comes 1st along with "can what I'm doing be undone if needed?"

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

[QUOTE=Evan Gluck] It must be harder if you are in a smaller town and you are the only repair person for miles and miles around. It almost forces you to take in jobs that have potential nightmare qualities.
Evan[/QUOTE]

Boy, that's the truth. A few years back, I was a listed Martin repair guy, which put us in an interesting position. Ours was the only warranty shop between Dallas and Houston, which doesn't sound SO bad, but nonetheless it pulled folks in from Louisiana. And when they walk in, you can't just say, "You know, I'm terribly sorry you drove three hours over here, but we don't do that repair any more. All you could say is, "And how soon do you need this?"

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Yup when I started out I always thought "can what I'm doing be undone if needed?" thats why most of my energy is used to build a time machine to address this issue. It will also allow me to go back in time to re-eat the corned beef sandwich.

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

Hey thanks for chiming in Frank with those California prices. If I never arrive at that price level, perhaps I could post your charges in my shop? That might make a squeemish Texas customer feel not so bad with what I will charge him.   

Todd--thanks, I'll be sending you a PM.

This is all very helpful guys, and I do appreciate it!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I just emailed the lists I have to all those who requested a copy.

I still don't have time right now to post what I want to post in this discussion, but I'll try to get back to do that soon.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Guys, let me again express my thanks for your contributions. Even though my prices are in line--basically--with most of yours, it's good to check this from time to time. Sort of keeping one's finger on the pulse.

And let me say another special thank you to Kevin for your thoughtful and helpful reply. Kevin, when I think about how many guitars you have built and are building, I'm floored that you also have a repair side to your shop! On top of which, it's evidently thriving. How do you do it? (That's really rhetorical...I'm sure if you told me I'd be thoroughly depressed.)

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

todd, i received mine.

many thanks!

michael

Evan,

    So you're up on the Duke's Blvd. My footprints are all over your
neighborhood and I miss my years of spending time with friends around
there and their constant claims that "the west is best" since I wa across the
park down on 79th Street.

    Lots of great memories. We'll have to plan a stop into your shop next time
we're in town. It'll be great to meet you!

Thanks,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Yup, I remember when I was coming up here from the East Village I turned on Duke Ellington Blvd, and said to myself "I am in the right place" can't wait to meet you,
Best, Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

Requests for the compiled price lists I offered have been trickling in daily, and I've been sending them off. Fine and dandy up till now, but I'll be off the computer from a few minutes from now until March 25th, so I won't be able to do any more, at least not until I'm back.

I'm off to Portland, OR, for Charles Fox's "Contemporary Guitar Making" class!

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Have fun, Todd.
And, we want a full report when you are back!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I can't charge New York prices, but here's some of it:

-Electric/Acoustic Setup $35.00 plus strings

-Fret Dress $65.00

-Refret $180.00

-Replace Headstock Nut w/Bone $50.00

Thanks, Rick!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

rick, where are you located? your refret price is low even by the standards in my neck o' the woods!!

I'm located in New Jersey.

what part of nj? if i remember correctly, when i first returned to the us backin '96, in north jersey the going rate for unbound neck refrets was $175-225, and bound necks went from $225-250 or so. the closer you got to the city the higher it got, $250 or so for unbound and $300 or thereabouts i for bound.

South Jersey. Ocean County.