Luthier modified my nut w/o asking 1st

If a fret job is done without adjusting the saddle, the guitar will play worse than before. A luthier doesn't like to hand over half a job. This work is part of the job, but you should agree who will do it after the fret job. In my opinion, he only did half the work on the saddle. The saddle should be sanded down further, especially on the unwound strings, and you can also get it smoother with this material.
Clear communication including a price agreement beforehand is the key to mutual satisfaction.
 
OrganicZed said:
I agree with this. The nut is not only reshaped, but also looks terrible and has a very coarse finish. A properly done nut should be polished smooth. I would not trust that tech to do another nut installation.
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There's only so much you can do with a plastic nut. With the amount that (it looks like) he shaved off, I'd honestly just replace the whole thing. A Tusq XL nut isn't all that expensive. Hell, a pre-cut bone nut is pretty cheap too, lots of options. No need to leave an atrocity like what's in the original pic, good lord....
 
Well I went down to his shop and I have a new PRS nut on my guitar. I had my buddy call him to get a quote for a fret dress job and he was told starting at $225 depending on how bad the frets were etc. Mine were pretty bad. I remember the verbal quote being lower than that and he offered me up to $100 credit on future work if I was willing to come back. But what he charged me is his current rate. I ordered some pickups from Fralin last week and he offered to install those free of charge but I do those myself. He had the nut on hand so I let him install it while I stepped out for a bite. He charges around $120 for nut work. That’s why I bought my files last year. Got her home and played a bit and the nut is good, no sticking, trem works like it did before. So maybe I’ll take him up on the credit. My son has a resonator guitar here that needs a new saddle. So I feel better but it’s doubtful I’ll have him work on my guitars again. Out or curiosity I checked his yelp and he has 30 reviews 29 are 5’s and there’s a 1 star for scratching a guitar. So case closed. Thank you all for your thoughts and advice.
 
First of all: Congrats, and good to hear you got it fixed. But out of curiosity:

How was the conversation? Was he contentious or conciliatory and apologetic? Do you feel he was offering the fix and future credit out of necessity to try and keep this under wraps and retain a customer or do you feel it was a genuine try to make things right?

Did he offer any explanation for the out-of-the-ordinary nature of his work and why he did it, and without asking you?

If you don't feel like answering and just want to put this behind you, I understand.
 
Peavey Herman said:
First of all: Congrats, and good to hear you got it fixed. But out of curiosity:

How was the conversation? Was he contentious or conciliatory and apologetic? Do you feel he was offering the fix and future credit out of necessity to try and keep this under wraps and retain a customer or do you feel it was a genuine try to make things right?

Did he offer any explanation for the out-of-the-ordinary nature of his work and why he did it, and without asking you?

If you don't feel like answering and just want to put this behind you, I understand.
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It was civil and he apologized. I’ll leave it at that.

I am going to bring him my son’s resonator to rework the saddle and that should be no charge. After that I’m done.
 
OOOF. Sorry to hear this happened to you. Had a situation with a tech a little while back. was getting some fret leveling work done, and while he was at it i said can you just order me up a tone pros locking bridge and tailpeice and pop those on when you are restringing the guitar. he said sure no problem, i won't charge you for the install since they are just drop in.
Low and behold he ordered the incorrect model, he ordered the metric version and then proceeded to drill out the bushing holes in my Les Paul in order to fit the new larger metric bushings. I lost my shit. I had just purchased the guitar about a year prior. Needless to say the shop bought me a new guitar, identical model, year, color. and it actually turned out to be a nicer playing guitar.
But i literally lost my shit when i went in to see him about it.
 
Pwrmac7600 said:
OOOF. Sorry to hear this happened to you. Had a situation with a tech a little while back. was getting some fret leveling work done, and while he was at it i said can you just order me up a tone pros locking bridge and tailpeice and pop those on when you are restringing the guitar. he said sure no problem, i won't charge you for the install since they are just drop in.
Low and behold he ordered the incorrect model, he ordered the metric version and then proceeded to drill out the bushing holes in my Les Paul in order to fit the new larger metric bushings. I lost my shit. I had just purchased the guitar about a year prior. Needless to say the shop bought me a new guitar, identical model, year, color. and it actually turned out to be a nicer playing guitar.
But i literally lost my shit when i went in to see him about it.
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Good to hear it got taken care of, but - holy hell!!!
 
Peavey Herman said:
Good to hear it got taken care of, but - holy hell!!!
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Yeah funny enough a few months later on one of the forums i saw someone post a new gear day thread and low and behold it was a Les Paul Trad Pro II model with metric bushings on it. Turns out he bought the one they butchered used. lol

hope he never wants to sell it because everyone is going to think it is a Chibson with those metric bushings.
The replacement i got is still one of my favorite guitars to play 10 years later. Trad Pro II Vintage No Gaurd Speed Knobs.jpg
 
Without intending to slight anyone, guitar techs are a weird breed.

The guy I'd been using (very pricey, very good reputation) did some great work for me on several guitars. Then I brought him a guitar with very specific setup instructions. Four months later, he calls and tells me it's done. I pick up the guitar to find it exactly the same as when I brought it in, but with new strings. Well, it's his word against mine (sterling reputation, remember), and besides, I didn't want him to hold on to it for another four months. I paid up...and he lost a customer for life. A few months later, I check his web site and he nearly doubled his already high prices. I just don't get people sometimes.
 
Pwrmac7600 said:
Yeah funny enough a few months later on one of the forums i saw someone post a new gear day thread and low and behold it was a Les Paul Trad Pro II model with metric bushings on it. Turns out he bought the one they butchered used. lol

hope he never wants to sell it because everyone is going to think it is a Chibson with those metric bushings.
The replacement i got is still one of my favorite guitars to play 10 years later. View attachment 154891
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Maybe, hopefully, they told the buyer and they got a smokin' deal (as in 'he saved a metric ton of money').
 
Pwrmac7600 said:
OOOF. Sorry to hear this happened to you. Had a situation with a tech a little while back. was getting some fret leveling work done, and while he was at it i said can you just order me up a tone pros locking bridge and tailpeice and pop those on when you are restringing the guitar. he said sure no problem, i won't charge you for the install since they are just drop in.
Low and behold he ordered the incorrect model, he ordered the metric version and then proceeded to drill out the bushing holes in my Les Paul in order to fit the new larger metric bushings. I lost my shit. I had just purchased the guitar about a year prior. Needless to say the shop bought me a new guitar, identical model, year, color. and it actually turned out to be a nicer playing guitar.
But i literally lost my shit when i went in to see him about it.
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That’s terrible but it worked out for you in the end.
 
Pwrmac7600 said:
OOOF. Sorry to hear this happened to you. Had a situation with a tech a little while back. was getting some fret leveling work done, and while he was at it i said can you just order me up a tone pros locking bridge and tailpeice and pop those on when you are restringing the guitar. he said sure no problem, i won't charge you for the install since they are just drop in.
Low and behold he ordered the incorrect model, he ordered the metric version and then proceeded to drill out the bushing holes in my Les Paul in order to fit the new larger metric bushings. I lost my shit. I had just purchased the guitar about a year prior. Needless to say the shop bought me a new guitar, identical model, year, color. and it actually turned out to be a nicer playing guitar.
But i literally lost my shit when i went in to see him about it.
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What an idiot!
 
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