Refret Fair Price?

[M Dub]

I was looking to get my G0 refretted Ace Buddokan style with extra jumbo 6000 size wire and was thinking of getting the neck reshaped slightly while I'm at it.

The local luthier here at 13th street guitars in Huntington Beach quoted me $325 for the full refret including a complete setup and another $250 for reshaping/refinishing the neck. They told me turnaround would be at least a few weeks for drying/curing the lacquer and then wet sanding/buffing it out.

Is this a fair price?

[diceman]

It all depends on reputation.

I wouldn't pay someone $100 to do a half assed refret on one of my guitars - but I would pay $400 to have it done correctly.

I think I paid $250 or $300 to have my '69 LP redone (very very well). I didn't ask how much it would cost, because the luthier who I have had do that type of work for me does such a good job that I knew I wouldn't be taking it anywhere else.

If this person is GOOD - the $325 (particularly in CA) is probably about right.

[M Dub]

Thanks Dice. Yeah I was hoping someone on here would be able to recommend someone in SoCal, but no replies. I did some searching online and found Home - Guitar & Bass Repair in Huntington Beach - 13th Street Guitars

They have a lot of positive reviews on yelp and they post their recent work on FB https://www.facebook.com/13thstreetguitars

Hate just going by what I see online though, but from what I can tell and have read they seem pretty solid.

Is $250 pretty good for a neck reshape? I've seen a few guys on here have theirs done and I think $225-$250 is typical.

A little scared to reshape a G0 but its pretty close to a R9 neck when I'd like it to be more of a slim taper.

I'll blaze some new trail for you all. Hopefully I won't end up as an example of what not to do. hahaha

[RobinOC]

Funny, I just dropped off my new Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Gold Top with them yesterday. I also picked them out from their positive reviews on Yelp. I don't know if Hugh is good or not but I thought well enough of both him and the shop to give him the go ahead to do a setup, put in a Gotoh bridge and tailpiece, and left it up to him whether he thought the frets needed any work.

Hugh has done work for several big OC bands and countless musicians that all seem to like his work and keep having him work on and modify his gear.

I guess I'll be the first to take one for the group and let him do his magic. We'll see in the next week or three just how good he is. I plan on posting here after I pick it up.

I think any time you give up something important to you like a prized guitar and leave it in someone else's hands, no matter how good their rep you always worry.

You could always ask for referrals for similar work he's done for others, contact them to see how they liked the results.

[diceman]

Originally Posted by M Dub

Thanks Dice. Yeah I was hoping someone on here would be able to recommend someone in SoCal, but no replies. I did some searching online and found Home - Guitar & Bass Repair in Huntington Beach - 13th Street Guitars

They have a lot of positive reviews on yelp and they post their recent work on FB https://www.facebook.com/13thstreetguitars

Hate just going by what I see online though, but from what I can tell and have read they seem pretty solid.

Is $250 pretty good for a neck reshape? I've seen a few guys on here have theirs done and I think $225-$250 is typical.

A little scared to reshape a G0 but its pretty close to a R9 neck when I'd like it to be more of a slim taper.

I'll blaze some new trail for you all. Hopefully I won't end up as an example of what not to do. hahaha

Both prices seem reasonable to me if you are thoroughly satisfied with their credentials...

I look forward to the results.

[M Dub]

@ Robin - Sweet! Now I can get some first hand feedback. hahaha Unless you've played the living crap out of your JB LP (I don't believe that model has been out for too long), I would think the frets are probably be fine. Hopefully you're happy with the results. Let me know how it goes!

@ Dice - Thanks. I'll be sure to take some before and after pics to post up.

By the way, if any one else has a favorite in the OC or LA for this kind of work feel free to name drop.

[RobinOC]

Hi M Dub,

Picked up the guitar today from 13th ST. They switched out the stock Epiphone bridge and tailpiece for a like new Gotoh they had (at 1/2 price). So for $140 I now have a better sounding, better handling Joe Bonamassa LP. (and it was a good sounding guitar as stock)

Hope that helps with your decision.

[M Dub]

Glad you're happy with the results! Those JB LP's look like really nice guitars and now yours plays even nicer. =)

I'm feeling pretty good about them, but now I'm sort on the fence about shaving the neck. We'll see.

Thanks for the update!