How much for a neck reset on a Martin?

bendingtens · July 7th, 2007, 08:43 PM

I've got a 1968 Martin D-18 that I picked up for $300 about 8 years ago.

It was cheap because there's a hole in the side. Need to get that fixed, too.

Anyway - I stumbled upon a custom builder today as I was walking around New York City. Went in and talked to him. He said a neck reset would be around $1100.

Any opinions on that price or recommendations on people in New York for the repair?

Stuco · July 7th, 2007, 08:48 PM

Thats too high. Get it to a qulified Martin Repairperson and get another quote.

Jeffscreamedcorn · July 7th, 2007, 09:04 PM

Most things guitar in NYC are much much much more $$$... actually, most things in general!

Spidercaster · July 7th, 2007, 09:22 PM

I spoke to Martin about one for my guitar a few months back. I think he said they get $400, but there's a few months backlog.

I would call them directly. The factory isn't that far of a drive from NY, or you could always ship it to them.

Stuco · July 7th, 2007, 09:29 PM

http://www.mguitar.com/dealers/services.php

Check for certified martin service centers.

trandy16 · July 7th, 2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendingtens

I've got a 1968 Martin D-18 that I picked up for $300 about 8 years ago.

It was cheap because there's a hole in the side. Need to get that fixed, too.

Anyway - I stumbled upon a custom builder today as I was walking around New York City. Went in and talked to him. He said a neck reset would be around $1100.

Any opinions on that price or recommendations on people in New York for the repair?

$1100.00??? That's an insane price for a Martin neck set.

$300.00 to $400.00 assuming there's no physical damage to the neck.

imwjl · July 8th, 2007, 10:40 AM

I just picked up my HD-28 at a local luthier, and he had a Guild in rough shape with the neck and bridge off and I thought he said the person will be getting a good playing and sounding guitar for hundreds ($) and not thousands.

bendingtens · July 21st, 2007, 10:06 AM

Update:

I brought my Martin to Carlo Greco at Alex Musical Instruments on 48th Street.

Carlo said the guitar doesn't need a neck reset - he's going to bring the saddle down some.

The cracks and holes are pretty severe. He's going to fix all of those, and also fix the pickguard that is shrinking for 500 bucks.

I'll post pictures when it's done.

studio1087 · July 21st, 2007, 10:47 AM

I would love to see a picture of that guitar.

By the way, a Martin reset should be $350 to $450.

Stay away from the $1100 guy. I wonder how many he's actually done. If he's done less than 100 of them, stay faaaaaaaaaaar away.

fltpkr · July 23rd, 2007, 11:52 AM

I had a neck reset done on a D28 about 7 years ago, in Portland.
The luthier also added some reinforcement under the bridge, and replaced the nut and saddle, all for $450.

telel6s · July 23rd, 2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studio1087

Stay away from the $1100 guy. I wonder how many he's actually done. If he's done less than 100 of them, stay faaaaaaaaaaar away.

If the original quote came from a custom builder, he may have set a high price because that's what it's worth for him to take time away from his core business. If he normally builds new guitars instead of repairing existing instruments, doing a neck reset might take his time away from finishing another customer's order. In essence, he's turning down the business, but for the right price you can make it worth his while.

I had similar out-of-the-ballpark quotes when I wanted the trim on my house painted -- since the contractors could make $XXX on a larger job, they quoted the same for my smaller job because to them two days is two days. Just a thought.

July 7th, 2007, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
bendingtens Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 150	How much for a neck reset on a Martin? I've got a 1968 Martin D-18 that I picked up for $300 about 8 years ago. It was cheap because there's a hole in the side. Need to get that fixed, too. Anyway - I stumbled upon a custom builder today as I was walking around New York City. Went in and talked to him. He said a neck reset would be around $1100. Any opinions on that price or recommendations on people in New York for the repair?

July 7th, 2007, 09:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Spidercaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,044 5 Photos	I spoke to Martin about one for my guitar a few months back. I think he said they get $400, but there's a few months backlog. I would call them directly. The factory isn't that far of a drive from NY, or you could always ship it to them. __________________ "Just keep one thing in mind............I may remember it all differently tomorrow." - Neil Young http://www.youtube.com/user/Richeray

July 21st, 2007, 10:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,768 36 Photos	I would love to see a picture of that guitar. By the way, a Martin reset should be $350 to $450. Stay away from the $1100 guy. I wonder how many he's actually done. If he's done less than 100 of them, stay faaaaaaaaaaar away. __________________ JLG Carry On

July 7th, 2007, 08:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,980	Thats too high. Get it to a qulified Martin Repairperson and get another quote.

July 7th, 2007, 09:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jeffscreamedcorn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: beantown Age: 51 Posts: 781	Most things guitar in NYC are much much much more $$$... actually, most things in general!

July 7th, 2007, 09:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,980	http://www.mguitar.com/dealers/services.php Check for certified martin service centers.

July 8th, 2007, 10:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
imwjl Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,162	I just picked up my HD-28 at a local luthier, and he had a Guild in rough shape with the neck and bridge off and I thought he said the person will be getting a good playing and sounding guitar for hundreds ($) and not thousands.

July 21st, 2007, 10:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
bendingtens Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 150	Update: I brought my Martin to Carlo Greco at Alex Musical Instruments on 48th Street. Carlo said the guitar doesn't need a neck reset - he's going to bring the saddle down some. The cracks and holes are pretty severe. He's going to fix all of those, and also fix the pickguard that is shrinking for 500 bucks. I'll post pictures when it's done.

July 23rd, 2007, 11:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
fltpkr Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregoon Posts: 798	I had a neck reset done on a D28 about 7 years ago, in Portland. The luthier also added some reinforcement under the bridge, and replaced the nut and saddle, all for $450.