Official Luthiers Forum!

What the typical cost to refret? Guitar is a Taylor 810ce. Difference in price with Gold tone versus standard stainless. Thanks in advance.

Depends on where you are, and who does the work.

Welcome to OLF, Mark.  Someone will probably give you a number, but it varies greatly from one person to another, sometimes depending on what the market is in the area where they work/live, or the level of expertise in repair.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

A good idea to budget for a total refret is to figure on $200+ job because a total reftet will require fretborard leveling and possible nut and saddle adjustment to reset proper sting height. If by chance the fret board does not need leveling and the new frets dress out to the same height as those replaced, then it could be $75-$100 less.

I am not even going to say what I charge because people will chime in claiming I charge too much...It's alot more than what MP charges but I heard he was "cheap". Nut and saddle replacement is extra - $55.00u.s. - either one. Now if you want the saddle intonated that's a lot more...but again I charge more than most and don't have the overhead to warrant it. 

All kidding aside, Cost is something that shouldn't be your concern as much as am I getting the work done properly. I believe in the old adage "You get what you pay for". Sometimes I give breaks to repeat customers, sometimes to the poor, sometimes to those who are having lots of other work done...Some times I charge A lot more just to make sure you don't come back!!!!!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Fret Jobs - $200
If you watch - $300
If you help - $500

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Around here (greater Toronto), if its less than 225-250, and that may or may not include nut and saddle work, its likely being done by an amateur, and you will more likely than not get what you pay for.

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Just to clarify...I charge $350 for a complete fret job and $550 (on sale) for the Sylvan Wells Semihemispherical Fret Installation. The $55 was for a new nut or a new saddle. To intonate the saddle is $250 (includes saddle cost)( I Think that's what I charge, Maybe I am wrong? I don't know what I charge...I'll have to check my website or start showing up at the meetings with my CPA)

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Good One Waddy!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

[QUOTE=Dave-SKG]

I am not even going to say what I charge because people will chime in claiming I charge too much...It's alot more than what MP charges but I heard he was "cheap"[/QUOTE]


Like I said before I may be cheap but I am not easy...or do I have that backward

Oh ... and double it for stainless ....

good one waddy .. i'll bet those come with a 90 day or 900 note warranty, whatever comes first

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

[QUOTE=Dave-SKG] 

All kidding aside, Cost is something that shouldn't be your concern as much as am I getting the work done properly. I believe in the old adage "You get what you pay for".

[/QUOTE]

I believe I should clarify the fact that I am not necessarily looking for the best price. Just curious as what I might be looking at across the board. Cost is not the object here. And I will most definately heed your advice on looking into a high quality job. Thanks much for your input.

Additionally, Thanks to all others for their input as well. Just looking for a good idea on what one might charge for the job.

I suppose it might have been correct to first introduce myself as being new to the boards here. I plan to browse occasionally with hopes on gaining some insight and knowledge from the experienced ones.

 

[QUOTE=ToddStock] A 2004 played on a frequent basis might be ready
for a fret mill - leveling the frets to remove string divots and generally
adjusting the nut and possibly the saddle for reduced fret height - . If
the purpose of the refret is to go to a harder-wearing fret material,
stainless jobs (which I have never done) seem to run anywhere from 25%
to 100% more than standard.[/QUOTE]

If it's played a good deal it could be ready for a refret. Taylor uses a
notoriously soft fret wire for ease and consistency in manufacturing. They
used to use a Monel wire (about the same hardness as a decent nickel/
silver) but they switched to the softer wire I believe around the time they
moved to El Cajon. If you decide to refret, just make sure it's quality wire.
Jescar (distributed by Luthiers Merc., Allied Lutherie, and a few others) is
about the best, with Stew Mac being about equal, or a very very close
second in my opinion. Dunlop and Martin replacement wire is pretty soft
and sloppy in comparison.

I charge around $360.00 for unbound, and $400-$440 for bound, plus
materials. Those are package prices including new bone nut and setup,
with the sum being a bit discounted from total of itemized services. I
charge an additional $100-$140 for stainless.
(Disclaimer: not looking to drum up business here - just adding to the
forum "blue book".)

Where are you located? Someone here may be able to refer you to a
trustworthy shop in your area.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

[QUOTE=David Collins] [QUOTE=ToddStock] A 2004 played on a frequent basis might be ready
for a fret mill - leveling the frets to remove string divots and generally
adjusting the nut and possibly the saddle for reduced fret height - . If
the purpose of the refret is to go to a harder-wearing fret material,
stainless jobs (which I have never done) seem to run anywhere from 25%
to 100% more than standard.[/QUOTE]

If it's played a good deal it could be ready for a refret. Taylor uses a
notoriously soft fret wire for ease and consistency in manufacturing. They
used to use a Monel wire (about the same hardness as a decent nickel/
silver) but they switched to the softer wire I believe around the time they
moved to El Cajon. If you decide to refret, just make sure it's quality wire.
Jescar (distributed by Luthiers Merc., Allied Lutherie, and a few others) is
about the best, with Stew Mac being about equal, or a very very close
second in my opinion. Dunlop and Martin replacement wire is pretty soft
and sloppy in comparison.

I charge around $360.00 for unbound, and $400-$440 for bound, plus
materials. Those are package prices including new bone nut and setup,
with the sum being a bit discounted from total of itemized services. I
charge an additional $100-$140 for stainless.
(Disclaimer: not looking to drum up business here - just adding to the
forum "blue book".)

Where are you located? Someone here may be able to refer you to a  trustworthy shop in your area.[/QUOTE]

Actually...I am very near you, if you are in Ann Arbor as your user location states. I reside in Canton near the northwest corner of the city. Warren & Beck Roads to be close. You may be hearing from me in the not so distant future. Thanks for the great info.

Hey Mark,

If you are looking for a quality job done right I think tah David Collins would certainly be your man!!

Good luck with it

Shane

_________________
Canada