Members dmn23 Posted February 20, 2007 Members Posted February 20, 2007 So I took the Taylor in this morning for what I figured would be a setup and a crowning/levelling job. John took a look at the frets and said, "Man, these are pretty chewed." Well, yeah. I kind of knew that already. There's a decade's worth of playing on there. And most of that time, the Taylor was my only guitar. John's done plenty of setups on it over the years, but the frets have never been touched. The prescription: Partial re-fret. The first five or six frets are going to be pulled and replaced, plus the setup, plus strings. I've never had to do that with any of my guitars before, but I've also never held on to a guitar for as long as I've owned the Taylor. Anyone care to hazard a guess on how hard of a hit my checking account is going to take this afternoon? It needed to be done, but I didn't have the nerve to ask. On an unrelated note, John made an offhand comment that struck me funny. He said, "I've always liked your Taylor. It sounds like a D-18, except it stays in tune." He swapped out the keys on it for some Gotohs a couple of years ago, but I don't think that's what he meant. I've never owned a Martin -- did they/do they have a rep for tuning issues?
Members Hudman Posted February 20, 2007 Members Posted February 20, 2007 I have no clue. I would have asked him how much before leaving it. I never experienced any tuning issues with Martin guitars.
Members Pablo Posted February 20, 2007 Members Posted February 20, 2007 Likewise with me...I've never had to have refret work done on any of my guitars (yet). I'd be interested to hear what that goes for these days. Regarding Martin tuning issues, my D-35 stays in tune better than any acoustic I've ever owned. I'm not sure what John is referring to.
Members dmn23 Posted February 20, 2007 Author Members Posted February 20, 2007 I'll post the damage this evening. He's never been cheap, but his work is exceptional. Joe Glaser is the only other guy in here in Nashville I'd allow to touch my guitars. I'll also ask him to elaborate on the Martin comment.
Members Freeman Keller Posted February 20, 2007 Members Posted February 20, 2007 When he reset the neck on my 30 y.o. D-18, Kimsey replaced the first five (and 14, of course) and crowned the rest. Here are his rates from his site "I typically only re-fret out to the 15th fret, to save time and effort, and because those frets are rarely worn, but if you want all the frets replaced, we'll do that, too. $150 to the 15th fret, $165 for a complete refret. $10/fret for partial, $50 minimum, $40 for a crown and polish (included in full re-fret price, of course)." When he did my 25 y.o. 12 string all he had to do was crown. Frets are one of the things not covered on warranty if you happen to be the original owner. Don't understand the comment about staying in tune - my Martin has the Grovers replaced by Gotohs and stays in tune, but then so does my Taylor and my other guitars. One problem with the Grovers on some Martins it the little screw in the middle of the knob can loosen and they will slip slightly. And I would be very curious which model Taylor you have - most people don't think any of them sounds much like a D-18
Members dmn23 Posted February 20, 2007 Author Members Posted February 20, 2007 And I would be very curious which model Taylor you have - most people don't think any of them sounds much like a D-18 Well, that's the thing. On paper, the Taylor's nothing special. It's an old 310 with a mahogany body (not sapele, oddly enough), made right around the time they introduced the 410 series. But you know how every once in a while you pick up a truly great one (regardless of the brand or model)? I just lucked out with this one. There was only one previous owner and he had it for three weeks before he brought it back and upgraded to a 510. It hadn't been sitting on the wall for two hours when I walked in the store and took it home. It sounds like a million dollars and I can honestly say that until Taylor introduced the GS line, there hasn't been a Taylor that I've played that I like even half as much. It's ambered nicely over the years, and it has its share of dings (I prefer to call them "character marks"...), but it sounds fantastic. John put a bone nut and saddle on it years ago, and the keys were swapped out, but other than that it's just an old 310.
Members Freeman Keller Posted February 20, 2007 Members Posted February 20, 2007 Actually, that would be the closest thing in the Taylor line to a D-18. It probably is a pretty nice guitar and would be worth having the work done to it. I'll be interested in hearing how much your guy charges for the fret work and how you like it when it is done.
Members dmn23 Posted February 21, 2007 Author Members Posted February 21, 2007 Update: 9 frets replaced, crowned the rest, set up, strings, and (almost) 10% tax (Tennessee's rough that way). Grand total -- $246. Ouch. Still, I love the guitar, the work needed to be done, and I'd trust my guy with no reservations. At least I won't have to do this again any time soon...
Members Freeman Keller Posted February 21, 2007 Members Posted February 21, 2007 Unfortunately quality work is expensive. Fortunately, it is usually worth it. That sounds reasonable for what was done. Now enjoy that old gal.
Members guitarcapo Posted February 21, 2007 Members Posted February 21, 2007 Update: 9 frets replaced, crowned the rest, set up, strings, and (almost) 10% tax (Tennessee's rough that way). Grand total -- $246. Ouch. Still, I love the guitar, the work needed to be done, and I'd trust my guy with no reservations.At least I won't have to do this again any time soon... I've done refrets on friend's guitars for free. If I knew people were routinely paying THAT kinda money to replace 9 frets and go over the rest with a sanding block and steel wool, I'd quit my day job as an eye doctor.
Members SpaceCowboy409 Posted February 21, 2007 Members Posted February 21, 2007 Update: 9 frets replaced, crowned the rest, set up, strings, and (almost) 10% tax (Tennessee's rough that way). Grand total -- $246. Ouch. Still, I love the guitar, the work needed to be done, and I'd trust my guy with no reservations.At least I won't have to do this again any time soon... That's not out of line. I payed $280. for a complete refret and set-up on my Strat.
Members dmn23 Posted February 21, 2007 Author Members Posted February 21, 2007 I've done refrets on friend's guitars for free. If I knew people were routinely paying THAT kinda money to replace 9 frets and go over the rest with a sanding block and steel wool, I'd quit my day job as an eye doctor. What I bought was piece of mind. On paper, that Taylor is worth maybe $600 on Craigslist. The sentimental value to me is immeasurable, and that guitar is therefore irreplaceable. One one hand, here's a tech who has spent years working under Bob Taylor and Tom Anderson, who has developed a reputation as one of the finest techs in Nashville, maintains a client list that looks like a who's who of first-call session players and band members, and has taken extraordinary care of my gits over the last eight years. My other option would be to pick "some guy". Not much of a contest, really. No personal sleight intended at all, you understand -- just explaining my reasoning.
Members Freeman Keller Posted February 21, 2007 Members Posted February 21, 2007 I've done refrets on friend's guitars for free. If I knew people were routinely paying THAT kinda money to replace 9 frets and go over the rest with a sanding block and steel wool, I'd quit my day job as an eye doctor. can I be your friend? As stated before, the guy that has done work for me charges 10/fret or 40 for crown and polish. His current waiting list is Nov 2007. Seems to be doing ok with a little time to ride dirt bikes and a little time to jam. Maybe being a doc isn't a good idea after all.
Members Cldplytkmn Posted February 21, 2007 Members Posted February 21, 2007 hey dmn... i was referred to a tech in nashville by a buddy... i feel like its the same guy you're talking about, but i can't remember his last name... do you have contact info you can shoot my way? you can PM if you'd rather do that.
Members Cldplytkmn Posted February 21, 2007 Members Posted February 21, 2007 I'll post the damage this evening. He's never been cheap, but his work is exceptional. Joe Glaser is the only other guy in here in Nashville I'd allow to touch my guitars.I'll also ask him to elaborate on the Martin comment. hey dmn... nevermind... this is the post that flipped the switch in my head... because joe's the guy i was referred to. Have you had Joe do any work for you?
Members Hudman Posted February 21, 2007 Members Posted February 21, 2007 hey dmn... i was referred to a tech in nashville by a buddy... i feel like its the same guy you're talking about, but i can't remember his last name... do you have contact info you can shoot my way? you can PM if you'd rather do that. He said the tech's name was Joe Glaser. He's mentioned in this article:http://www.vintageguitar.com/artists/details.asp?ID=93 Edit: you beat me to it.
Members dmn23 Posted February 21, 2007 Author Members Posted February 21, 2007 I've not gone to Joe for any work. John LeVan is the only tech I've used in this town. Joe, of course, is a tremendously well respected guy who also knows his stuff inside and out. http://www.melbay.com/authors.asp?author=2117 http://www.musicdish.com/mag/index.php3?id=10558 http://www.guitarsessions.com/feb06/guitar_maker.asp John's number is (615) 251-8884. He works by appointment only -- no walk-ins. You can email him, but I've always had much better luck just giving him a call. Guitarservices@aol.com
Members guitarcapo Posted February 22, 2007 Members Posted February 22, 2007 I've offered to do neck resets/refrets for people on Harmony Central. I haven't had anybody take me up on it and I can't say I blame them me being a stranger. I do them all the time for people around town here, though. I love working on guitars and do it for fun. I have the jig and espresso steamer, radius blocks, files...etc.I guess I could be making some serious money....
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