Price to get guitar set up?

[Ombrenuit]

I put 12s on my SG and tuned down to C standard. Got buzzing, intonation issues (that I wasn't great at fixing), and a G string that goes flat after 30 seconds. I'd like to get the truss rod adjusted as well.

Took it to Willis music - local store - and I was given a quote of "$20 to $50". Unfortunately I wasn't able to interview the luthier who would be setting up the guitar. Is this too high? Honestly I'd be willing to pay $50 IF he solved all three of my issues. How reasonable is it to expect this guy not to do a half ass job or to know what he's doing?

Where I'm coming from: my dad has a luthier "license" or whatever but is a total dick who thinks tuning a guitar to anything but e standard is unnecessary and hurts the guitar. He refused to set up my guitar that way and spouted off some bs about the buzzing and shit being a direct result of "sgs aren't designed for downtuning"

[VOLVO)))]

30 bucks + strings. A set up will fix all of that shit, because a real set up involves adjusting all of that.

Experience: I do it every day

[dunwichamps]

Where I'm coming from: my dad has a luthier "license" or whatever but is a total dick who thinks tuning a guitar to anything but e standard is unnecessary and hurts the guitar. He refused to set up my guitar that way and spouted off some bs about the buzzing and shit being a direct result of "sgs aren't designed for downtuning"

I have run into a few of these types. oh so annoying.

[Mr. Foxen]

Depends what the setup includes. Jacking the action till it stops buzzing seems to be standard for music shops and should cost maybe $2. My mentor guy charges £70 for a full setup that includes fret dress and recrown/polish and recutting the nut. £45 gets not including the full fret dress. Thats a proper job. I do a basic tinkering for some beers, and the strings.

[Hemisaurus]

Hasn't Iommi been doing it since the 70's?

It's a gamble taking your guitar to a luthier, I can't even say take it to an old guy, he'll know what he's doing, cause your dad's and old guy, and a dick, and Sunns a young guy, possibly also a dick, but knows what he's doing

Is there anyone you know in your area to give recommendations? Are you willing to do it yourself? I'm coming from, I had the place I bought my bass set it up, and they did an awful job, and I ended up doing it again myself. So there are idiots out there, but there are also good guys, you either have to ask around, or experiment, or do it yourself. There are how to books, probably also online guides, and videos by now.

[VOLVO)))]

Or we can just walk you through it.

I am an asshole. You will learn volumes from assholes, we're better at stuff.

[Ombrenuit]

Or we can just walk you through it.

I am an asshole. You will learn volumes from assholes, we're better at stuff.

Thanks for the offer. But I don't have the measuring tools or the wrench needed to make truss adjustments.

[VOLVO)))]

Fuck measuring tools. I've never put anything to a guitar other than a fret rocker, and a straight edge to see how much relief is in the neck.

99% chance your neck is fine unless there is OBVIOUS bowing. A little relief is fine. Stretch the strings, stretch the fuck out of them. Then tune it back down. Make sure they are all seated properly in the nut. Where are the buzzes?

[Hemisaurus]

Can't you do it like we do basses?

Lower the strings to where you want, where does it buzz?

Above the 12th fret or so, too much bow, you need to tighten the truss

The first 5-7 frets or so, too little bow, need to loosen the truss

All over the neck, you need to raise the strings

[VOLVO)))]

Can't you do it like we do basses?

Lower the strings to where you want, where does it buzz?

Above the 12th fret or so, too much bow, you need to tighten the truss

The first 5-7 frets or so, too little bow, need to loosen the truss

All over the neck, you need to raise the strings

It's all the same stresses and such at work. There's a fine balance, but just lowering action? Lower it until it buzzes, jack it up a quarter turn, bam.

Old school, fuck a buncha new-fangled measuring tools, gauges, etc. You play guitar. Play every part of it.

[grimniggzy]

I don't want to pay for someone to do this but I think I might have to.
This thing is a bitch (compared to what I'm used to)...
http://www.ampeg.com/pdf/D-ArmstrongManual.pdf

[VOLVO)))]

Shouldn't be no-big-deal...

[grimniggzy]

I dunno, I was messin with it. The bridge is a goddamn piece of wood with stupid little metal pieces coming out of it that hold the strings.
I need to take a real look when I get a chance but reading that made me sad. I'm used to my Fender's.

[VOLVO)))]

I dunno, I was messin with it. The bridge is a goddamn piece of wood with stupid little metal pieces coming out of it that hold the strings.
I need to take a real look when I get a chance but reading that made me sad. I'm used to my Fender's.

What's wrong with it? pics.

[FullCustom]

For a full setup we charge around $85. We are the most expensive in town, but we never ruin a guitar.

[VOLVO)))]

Yeah. Higher price doesn't relate to not ruining an instrument. So, there's that. I've never ruined an instrument, and I charge less than half of that.

[Baltar]

I paid $50 for my last set-up in the northern Detroit burbs (Auburn Hills/Rochester Hills).  That was strings, fret polish/cleaning, etc.  That was in '08 I think.  

Man, cool that your dad plays guitar, not cool that he's ignorant and close-minded. SG's are meant for down-tuning, yeah right, and Margret Thatcher didn't deny kids free milk.

[VOLVO)))]

Man. I can gouge the shit out of people!

[Mr. Foxen]

Last bit of guitar work I did:

[FullCustom]

Yeah. Higher price doesn't relate to not ruining an instrument. So, there's that. I've never ruined an instrument, and I charge less than half of that.

Correct, but do you have overhead and insurance? There are people out there that can do a great job for $40 and those that will ruin your guitar for $200. A lot of music stores will do a setup for $40 cause they also sell guitars. But a shop that only does repairs should be more expensive.

[VOLVO)))]

You must live somewhere nice.

[FullCustom]

You must live somewhere nice.

Nope, and I drive an old Dodge Dakota two wheel drive pickup.

[VOLVO)))]

Townwise. I live in the South. People don't pay 85 dollars unless it gives them welfare or unlimited cigarettes.

[Hemisaurus]

Man, cool that your dad plays guitar, not cool that he's ignorant and close-minded. SG's are meant for down-tuning, yeah right, and Margret Thatcher didn't deny kids free milk.

You're just trying to get me started.

So I think we can summarise here

• Pricing of a setup will depend on, where you are geographically, and what type of place you take it to, luthier/repair, music store, guy that does it for extra pocket money
• There is no guarantee, that a higher price, an older guy, or a specialist shop will do a better job
• You should ask around, and see who people recommend
• Or if you can't ask around, you might be better to do it yourself, slowly and carefully like making love to a pregnant woman at 9 months

[Ranbat]

Most of the shops in town that I have checked are around $80 and booked a month out. You can take it to GC and get it done for $35-$45. I know a guy that has a small shop that does them for $40. So, yeah, ask around or take the time to do it yourself.