Refret Job For A '76 4001

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:08 pm

I don't think it would be insulting to ask as these rods are not the usual variety and require understanding in how to deal with them.

rob · Post by **rob** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:05 am

If he breaks it, he bought it. He better have the required understanding, since he has been working on guitars, basses and amps for many years. I'm sure more than a few Rickenbackers showed up in his shop over the years. If he has any questions, he'll look it up on his computer. If he calls me up with any questions, I'll just tell him to come here.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:13 pm

Rob, good communication is the way to build a relationship with a luthier, as you undoubtedly already know...

Hopefully, he won't break/buy it, and knows enough about Rick truss rods that you will get a satisfactory job and he will make money instead of losing it!

rob · Post by **rob** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:10 pm

I really have no doubt that it will be screwed up in any way. Even though this is the first time I am doing business with them, I have heard recommendations by reputable people, including a music teacher of mine. With this said, I have a feeling that they will take the time to fix it right. A great reputation is definately something not to waste.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:17 pm

Amen to that, Rob.

rob · Post by **rob** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 10:44 am

Well, it's done. I'll have to pick it up on Tuesday. $43.30 is the damage done to my wallet. The guy said two weeks, and is exactly on time. I'm sure the guy did a great job. Can't wait to get it back!

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 11:24 am

That seems very reasonable for time & money!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:56 pm

It's so cheap I'd be suspicious. That works out to about $3.50 an hour plus materials, if it was done properly...

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:23 am

No way he did the work for $43.30. That sounds like the price for a set up. If the guy is REAL inexpensive, it's $250. More likely $300-350.

rob · Post by **rob** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 10:01 am

I did not get the refret job. He said the frets could be gotten away with for a while longer. All that was done was a set up and re-glued fingerboard. I still would like a refret sometime soon, though.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 10:28 am

Then it makes sense.

rob · Post by **rob** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:49 pm

I just got it back today, and he did a great job. Of course, you could still see where the crack was, but it was glued up quite neatly. He ground down the brass nut (of course not original) because it stood a little bit too high. The slots in the nut were V-shaped, so he made them rounded so the strings sit in there properly. When he was speaking to me about what he did to the brass nut, he gave me a smirk because the '70's fad of a brass nut sounds a bit goofy. That was on there when I bought it and it does the job. He also worked on the bridge, set the intonation, was able to know how to work the 4001 truss rods (which he said that they are now at the maximum level of tightness), and polished it all up including the frets and fretboard. He didn't change the strings because when I dropped it off I told him the strings are still pretty new and are in great shape.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:45 am

Still for $43.30?

rob · Post by **rob** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:24 am

Actually $40.00. The rest is sales tax.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:46 am

Sounds like a good deal, Robert. Can you tell the difference in how it plays now compared to before the set-up/repair work?