Set-up

[emilys]

My wife and I started a new local retail business recently. The idea was to have a brick and mortar place where people could walk in off the street and try the instruments we carry (we do a lot of online sales). We never intended it to get this busy! Neither of us are luthiers and up until now, we have been letting a local violin shop do all our set up work. But we're getting too busy to schlep the stuff over to him and we'd rather set up something permanent with someone who is in the business of repair and set-up.

So our question is, is there anyone you can recommend who does this kind of work and what do you charge?

[Stephen Perry]

An alternative would be to expand and get a recent graduate of the Red Wing (called something different now) school. You provide space, he does your work at a reduced rate and builds his own repair business.

If you're thinking of having an intermediary person somewhere else (instruments from supplier to setup person, then to you) then there's a good deal of shipping involved.I don't think it will be cheap for some instruments. For others it isn't too bad. Thing is, setup is sort of a specialty. There are some things I won't set up or parts of setups on some instruments I won't do. For example, fretwork on very good instruments I won't do. I don't do it often enough to stay in shape. I have very good and superlative (more $) specialists do this. So I rely on specialty shops for various things past the ordinary. I have a shop do all my grip, wrap, and rehair on bows. That way I don't have to clean up my shop, get out the hair, etc. But they don't straighten, recamber, refinish, or do woodwork, so I do all that still. For a good violin setup on a professional level violin, one will expect to pay a good deal. Expect returns and problems with quick setups on cheap violins. And so on.

Anyway, if you want to chat about such things give me a buzz 865 986 9966. I do have a setup guy who does basic work for me who isn't too expensive. He probably has extra time.

Steve

[Mike Crocker]

I don't have any idea what they charge in the real world, but I generally get $20 (Cdn) minimum for a simple restring, action, intonation, and inspection, so long as it's not on the bench more than an hour. Price goes up if the saddle, nut, frets, truss rod, etc need attention. My price varies too if the customer is a lesson client or not...ie, students get a break. Strings and parts are extra. I find that I can usually do more than one job at once, so the income from this might be better than the rates look.

Peace, Mooh.

[Michael Lewis]

I think that you would do well to learn to assess an instrument regarding set up, and do the easy stuff yourself, making the money (or saving money) within your business. It takes less time to do many set ups than to ship or drive instruments to another shop. Bit by bit you will learn more and be competent to do more. This skill will give your customers more confidence in you. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Mike Crocker]

As usual, Mr. Lewis has good advice. A short course with a competent luthier/tech wouldn't cost much and might be tax deductable. Lots of guys would show you the ropes for nothing more than "future considerations". In your spare time read as much of www.frets.com as you can handle. Good luck!

Peace, Mooh.

[earthsave]

I paid $75 for mine and it took the Luthier 2-3 hours. New strings, nut adjust, bridge adjust, neck check.

[Lee]

Education/training is certainly a tax-deductable business expense.