How much should installing a new neck/setup cost?

[speedyone]

Hello Guys,


I'd like to ask my forum members their opinion on how much the following work should cost:


1. Fit new neck onto the provided guitar
2. Transfer the tuners from my old neck onto the new one (hole size is the same)
3. Do any necessary fret dressing/polishing on stainless frets (neck is new, from Warmoth)
4. File nut slots (create new string slots,) from provided graphite nut blank
5. Set-up and intonate guitar


I am NOT wanting to create a bidding war or trolling for luthiers to do work for me.

I have always tweaked set-ups of my own instruments, but I have never put on a new neck, filed new nut slots from a blank, or worked with stainless frets.

I'm asking about the cost for this work, because I'm going to order a custom Fender replacement neck from Warmoth to put on my 2013 Fender American Standard Strat, and I want to get a ball-park idea of how much I'll need to pay a luthier to do the work.

Thank you sincerely to anyone who takes the time to post or contact me!

 

[David Collins]

I would talk to the shop you plan to have do the work if you want a price you can actually budget around.

If someone called our shop for a quote like that we would advise that firm quotes can't be given until we can see the instrument/parts in person, but advise budgeting for up to $300. Best just to contact the shop you plan to have do the work for you though.

 

[speedyone]

Thank you David, much appreciated!

I wasn't sure about contacting the shop I plan on sending my guitar to just yet-- I thought it would sound kind of silly to tell the luthier, "Hey, I need this and this and this done, but not until 3 months from now".

Then again, I suppose for him to take the time to answer my question would be an example of good (potential) customer service......and therefore good for his business.

Thanks again David!

 

[David Collins]

I might add that in my example the actual price upon seeing the parts may be much less than the $300 I mentioned, but when when making speculative quotes for unknown specimens, it's better to budget for the higher end of possible needs with potential to be surprised by lower cost on inspection, than the other way around. So good idea to ask for the high side quote of forecast possibilities, and be prepared to budget up to that, though you can hope for less. Good luck!