Time vs. money for a refret

Findthetone1

Findthetone1

Well-known member
I want to refret a guitar. There is a very good local guy I've used for years but he's a one man show and I will realistically lose the guitar for at least 6 months. There is a second local guy with a very good reputation and better turn around times but the refret will probably be $150-$200 more. I'm not rolling in dough but I'm not sure I want to lose the guitar for 6 months or more.
Whatcha think?
 
No reason for it to be sitting there for 6 months. Unless you need it to be playable before that time might as well just set an appointment/deposit or whatever and bring it in when he has the time? Crazy to me that anyone has that much work right now, tbh. My local shop is so slow they've had most of the same inventory for like a year and recently have been sending out emails with substantial service discounts just to attract business,
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
No reason for it to be sitting there for 6 months. Unless you need it to be playable before that time might as well just set an appointment/deposit or whatever and bring it in when he has the time? Crazy to me that anyone has that much work right now, tbh. My local shop is so slow they've had most of the same inventory for like a year and recently have been sending out emails with substantial service discounts just to attract business,
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He doesn't really do appointments. You just take it in. Last time I was there, he couldn't even walk around his shop because the floor was wall to wall guitar cases. I can ask him a time frame, and he might say 30 days, but I know all too well it will be at least 6 months.
 
What's the other guy's turnaround time? If you're certain the the quality of the work will comparable, then it's just working out time to dollar ratio. I know some luthiers around me will charge more for a quicker turnaround time and people are ok with that if they like the work.

6 months is a while, but depending on when you were there last maybe it's not as bad. I was without an amp for 7 months recently and that sucked, wouldn't recommend if you really like the guitar.
 
Six months is wild and unacceptable IMO. For reference, I go to someone who is about mid to late 70s in age. His turnaround time for a full refret is a couple weeks to a month. For all intents and purposes, he's a one man show, too.
 
Good people are always in demand. I would rather wait to have it done right, than rush it off to someone else.

Besides, you can't tell me you only have one guitar and be on this forum. I know you have a backup.
 
Mr. Chainsaw said:
What's the other guy's turnaround time? If you're certain the the quality of the work will comparable, then it's just working out time to dollar ratio. I know some luthiers around me will charge more for a quicker turnaround time and people are ok with that if they like the work.

6 months is a while, but depending on when you were there last maybe it's not as bad. I was without an amp for 7 months recently and that sucked, wouldn't recommend if you really like the guitar.
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The other guy says 30 days or so. He's been in business for 10+ years and I have personally talked to people that have used him and give rave reviews. As for the other guy being not as bad right now, that's always how he's worked. He's very good and there are certain things I would only take to him but I think I'm willing to try the other gut on a refret.
BeZo said:
Good people are always in demand. I would rather wait to have it done right, than rush it off to someone else.

Besides, you can't tell me you only have one guitar and be on this forum. I know you have a backup.
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I do have other guitars, but at this point I think I'm just tired of waiting that long. The other guy has a very good rep so I don't feel it is a compromise. Just additional money.
 
Findthetone1 said:
The other guy says 30 days or so. He's been in business for 10+ years and I have personally talked to people that have used him and give rave reviews. As for the other guy being not as bad right now, that's always how he's worked. He's very good and there are certain things I would only take to him but I think I'm willing to try the other gut on a refret.

I do have other guitars, but at this point I think I'm just tired of waiting that long. The other guy has a very good rep so I don't feel it is a compromise. Just additional money.
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Take it to the other guy then.
 
VonBonfire said:
A six month wait is worth every minute if the guy is a master luthier IME.
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:dunno:
Maybe? The other guy certainly has plenty of qualifications, though. I made an appointment for next week. I think I need to at least talk to him and see how I feel.
 
Findthetone1 said:
Not worth the investment in tools. It will be stainless anyway. Probably not the best time to do my first refret.
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I did it once, bought the stewmac starter kit, it went pretty good.

I didn't even consider stainless, I don't like how they brighten up the sound.
 
Findthetone1 said:
Maybe? The other guy certainly has plenty of qualifications, though. I made an appointment for next week. I think I need to at least talk to him and see how I feel.
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The most busy man is booked six months in advance for good reasons. If it's not a money making tool I'd just go through the wait but I don't know your situation. I take my stuff to the other guy cause the local top man is backed up pretty much forever but he's not as good.

Geo said:
I didn't even consider stainless, I don't like how they brighten up the sound.
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I'll turn my tone control down if it means not dealing with luthiers again, lol
 
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